01/21/2026
The Honorable Rob Mayer, Presiding Circuit Judge, has sentenced Defendant Robert Grimes to serve two consecutive life terms in prison after a jury found the defendant to be guilty beyond a reasonable doubt on two charges of Statutory So**my 1st Degree proven by SCPA
GUILTY JURY VERDICTS REACHED IN CHILD SO**MY CASE:
Bloomfield, Missouri - Following a two-day trial, a Stoddard County Jury has found Defendant Robert Lee Grimes to be guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in 23SD-CR00297-01, guilty as charged in two counts of So**my First Degree - child less than 12 years of age.
The twelve jurors retired to the jury room on Tuesday at 11:45am and returned two guilty verdicts at 1:14pm, having reached these unanimous verdicts after 1 hour and 29 minutes of deliberation.
The State of Missouri presented six witnesses in its case-in-chief in addition to other relevant and admissible evidence. It was established at trial that between dates of April 6 and April 10, 2023, the Defendant sodomized a nine-year-old confidential victim by touching her va**na with his hand, and also with his mouth/tongue.
Through testimonial evidence, electronic recordings, and propensity convictions allowed for use at trial by Missouri Constitution Article 18(c) and statutory provisions of RSMo. 566.025, the State proved the elements of the crimes charged beyond any reasonable doubt.
The minor female victim, her mother, a forensic interviewer from Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence (child advocacy center), a deputy court clerk, and two detectives from the Stoddard County Sheriff's Department were all called to testify.
Further, jail call recordings and certified court records of defendant's previous convictions for Sexual Abuse 1st Degree in 1994 and Statutory R**e 2nd Degree in 2001 were presented and entered into evidence to prove Defendant's propensity to commit said crimes and corroborate the testimony of the child victim.
The State of Missouri was represented at the trial by jury by Prosecuting Attorney Sawyer Smith and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Chase Dembowski. The Honorable Robert N. Mayer, Presiding Circuit Judge of the 35th Judicial Circuit, served as trial judge in this matter. Judge Mayer has scheduled defendant's sentencing hearing to be on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
"The first statement I will make in response to the jury's guilty verdicts is that I am thankful to the jury for their time and service and patience to get through a case like this. Child sexual abuse cases are very difficult to prove, and they are painful to talk about and listen to. I thank the twelve jurors for their fair and unbiased service in this case, and for relying on their common sense and good judgment in consideration of all the evidence presented, in order to reach the guilty verdicts. Justice has been served in Stoddard County. Mr. Dembowski and I are both satisfied with this result, and we want to acknowledge and appreciate the law enforcement investigation conducted by Detectives John Atkinson and Garry Brady which was critical to the success of proving this case. We also thank SEMO NASV Forensic Interviewer Rebecca Marquis for completing her important role in a professional and credible manner. We would be mistaken not to mention the very important assistance provided by SCPA Office Manager Heather Davis, Investigator Justin Allen, Victim Advocate Kristi Patterson, and former Assistant Prosecutor LeAnn Below. Now that this case has reached its end, we are hopeful the young victim can move forward knowing justice has been delivered for what happened to her. Thank you to everyone who helped in bringing closure to these events." Sawyer Smith
