By Jeff Lehr
jlehr@joplinglobe.com
A Carterville man has entered an Alford plea to a charge that he sexually abused a minor about three years ago.
Leonard R. Binns, 45, entered the plea last week in Jasper County Circuit Court to a reduced charge of second-degree statutory sodomy in a plea agreement with the county prosecutor’s office. Binns originally was charged with first-degree statutory sodomy and armed criminal action.
Binns was scheduled to go to trial this month. Under terms of the plea agreement, the count of armed criminal action would be dismissed, and the prison time the defendant might be assessed would be limited to no more than five years.
An Alford plea admits no guilt but acknowledges that a conviction is likely if the case were to go to trial.
Circuit Judge Gayle Crane delayed formal acceptance or rejection of the plea agreement and ordered the completion of a sentencing assessment report. Binns will be sentenced Jan. 4.
The girl was younger than 14 when the abuse allegedly took place before Christmas of 2006, according to court records. Binns took the girl to his home, pushed her onto a bed, shoved a sock in her mouth and put a knife to her throat, according to a probable-cause affidavit.
He then undressed the girl, put a pornographic movie on his television set and proceeded to sexually assault the victim, the affidavit states. The girl reportedly kept telling him to stop and he finally did, apologizing to her and offering to buy her anything she wanted, the affidavit states.
The girl detailed the assault in an interview at the Children’s Center in Joplin. The Jasper County Sheriff’s Department later served a search warrant at the defendant’s home. Deputies reportedly found pornographic material, a knife believed to be the one described by the victim, and pictures of the girl, one of which was in the defendant’s wallet, according to the affidavit.
Joplin Metro
Man enters Alford plea involving sexual abuse of girl
- Joplin Metro
-
-
Longtime Democrat dies at 81
Sapp, 81, died Thursday. Funeral services were Monday at the First Presbyterian Church of Joplin. A longtime Jasper County Democratic committeewoman and volunteer, Sapp for years was secretary to the county’s central committee.
-
Hundreds gathering for Day of Unity walk
The group is still arriving at Wal-Mart now, and will join hundreds of other walkers at 2:30 p.m. to continue their trek through Joplin.
-
Water company worker killed in construction accident
A Missouri-American Water Company employee died from an injury sustained Wednesday at a work site at 25th Street and Moffet Avenue.
-
Joplin teen pleads guilty to assault on police officer
Allen Russell entered an open plea of guilty on the charge in Jasper County Circuit Court with respect to an attack Dec. 4 on Officer Joshua Hanes of the Joplin Police Department.
-
Public forum on broadband tomorrow
Plans for a regional broadband initiative will be outlined on Friday at a public meeting set for 10 a.m. to noon at the Joplin Public Library.
-
School-bond election an emotional issue for voters
A question of whether to allow the Joplin School District to take out $62 million in bonds for a new high school is bringing out emotions in Joplin voters.
-
Globe wins news-reporting award from ASNE
The Joplin Globe was awarded the Jesse Laventhol Prize for Deadline News Reporting by the American Society of News Editors on Monday in Washington D.C.
-
Joplin man sentenced for role in child's alcohol-poisoning death
The uncle, in whose home an 11-year-old Joplin boy died of alcohol poisoning from a drinking game with the uncle’s girlfriend, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.
-
Motivational speaker offers free marriage course
Presented by Mark Gungor, the course is being offered free to the community. The event is being held to aid in tornado relief.
-
District sends faculty, administrators on site visits
With the design phase of several buildings in Joplin Schools ending in May, the district has sent 66 administration, faculty, parents and community members on site visits to 22 schools and two technology company headquarters across the country.
- More Joplin Metro Headlines
-
No Limits for Disabled Hunters at Mich. Base
Victim Identified in Fla. Face-chewing Attack
Radioactive Bluefin Tuna Crossed the Pacific
90 Guns Seized, Dozens Arrested in Oakland
Raw Video: Hail Storm Batters Oklahoma City
6-Year-Old Going to National Spelling Bee
California's Foie Gras Ban About to Begin
Video Essay: Funky Winkerbean Comic Turns 40
Hurricane Andrew Remembered, 20 Years Later
Judge's Ruling Halts Tenn. Mosque Construction
Romney in Las Vegas on Texas Primary Day
Sister Says She Reported Brother in Patz Killing
Even Fla. Police Shocked by Face-Mauling Attack
Angry Birds Spreading Their Wings
