Lebanon men charged with rape and sodomy; authorities say as many as 10 child victims could be involved

LEBANON, Mo.- A 28-year-old man has been charged with rape, and two counts of sodomy after an investigation began in the assault of a 10-year-old girl.

Court records say Cody Lee Staggs was arrested on September 2 and has been charged with:

  • First-degree rape
  • Two counts of statutory sodomy or attempted sodomy- deviate sexual intercourse of a person less than 12-years-old

Laclede County Sheriff David Millsap says the investigation started when Staggs sexually assaulted a 10-year old girl.

Millsap says there may be as many as 10 child victims or children at the time of the assault.

“As these cases develop, we will have a better idea if we will be able to present further information to the Prosecuting Attorney,” said Sheriff David Millsap.

There is another suspect involved, Staggs’ half-brother Marcus Hill. Hill has been charged with second-degree sodomy, tampering with a witness in a felony prosecution, tampering with a victim in a felony prosecution.

“While charges have been filed, in these particular cases, we are continuing to investigate similar complaints on both suspects,” Millsap said in a press release.

Laclede County detectives served a search warrant at the Staggs’ residence and took the evidence to be examined at the Missouri State Highway Patrol crime lab in Springfield.

Sheriff Millsap said other sexual assault victims have been coming forward after the arrests were made. Millsap said some of these victims have been relatives of Staggs and Hill. He said they have alleged sexual abuse when they were children.

While not living together at the time of their arrests, Millsap said both Staggs and Hill have lived together on and off. The Sheriff’s Office is still investigating whether the victims were perpetrated by both Staggs and Hill, or individually.

Millsap said he isn’t sure if any assaults occurred outside of Laclede County. Both probable cause statements for the cases show a hotline helped in gaining information regarding allegations of sexual abuse.

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