http://www.effinghamdailynews.com/news/local_news/former-karate-instructor-sentenced-to-years/article_03629938-c608-5b03-a6cb-56b0e0264e14.html
effinghamdailynews.com
Former karate instructor sentenced to 9 years
Bill Grimes Daily News
CAPE GIRARDEAU — A former karate instructor from rural Altamont has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison in connection with taking one of his teenage students across state lines and having sex with her.
Steven C. Larson, 61, had pleaded guilty last October in U.S. District Court in connection with an alleged violation of the Mann Act, which prohibits taking minors across state lines for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity. U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh imposed the sentence on Larson.
Larson also faces charges in Effingham County in connection with the incident last Jan. 30, which began when the girl's parents dropped her with Larson, her karate instructor at the time. They were found early the next morning in a Sikeston, Missouri, motel. Both later admitted engaging in sexual activity.
Effingham County State's Attorney Bryan Kibler said Wednesday that he planned to meet with the girl's family before making a decision on whether to press the case against Larson in this county. Kibler said that once Larson is transported to a federal prison, having him released for state court appearances can be complicated.
"Once he goes to federal prison, getting him back is kind of a pain," Kibler said.
Larson is scheduled for a status hearing at 9 a.m. Feb. 3. Kibler said he hopes to have a decision made by then.
Kibler said Larson can receive no more than seven years in prison on his state charges, which include unlawful restraint, indecent solicitation of sex from a minor and obstructing justice. Moreover, the prosecutor added, any state sentence would run concurrent to his federal sentence.
Bill Grimes may be reached at 217-347-7151, ext. 132, at [email protected], or via Twitter @EDNBGrimes.
effinghamdailynews.com
Former karate instructor sentenced to 9 years
Bill Grimes Daily News
CAPE GIRARDEAU — A former karate instructor from rural Altamont has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison in connection with taking one of his teenage students across state lines and having sex with her.
Steven C. Larson, 61, had pleaded guilty last October in U.S. District Court in connection with an alleged violation of the Mann Act, which prohibits taking minors across state lines for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity. U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh imposed the sentence on Larson.
Larson also faces charges in Effingham County in connection with the incident last Jan. 30, which began when the girl's parents dropped her with Larson, her karate instructor at the time. They were found early the next morning in a Sikeston, Missouri, motel. Both later admitted engaging in sexual activity.
Effingham County State's Attorney Bryan Kibler said Wednesday that he planned to meet with the girl's family before making a decision on whether to press the case against Larson in this county. Kibler said that once Larson is transported to a federal prison, having him released for state court appearances can be complicated.
"Once he goes to federal prison, getting him back is kind of a pain," Kibler said.
Larson is scheduled for a status hearing at 9 a.m. Feb. 3. Kibler said he hopes to have a decision made by then.
Kibler said Larson can receive no more than seven years in prison on his state charges, which include unlawful restraint, indecent solicitation of sex from a minor and obstructing justice. Moreover, the prosecutor added, any state sentence would run concurrent to his federal sentence.
Bill Grimes may be reached at 217-347-7151, ext. 132, at [email protected], or via Twitter @EDNBGrimes.
http://www.effinghamdailynews.com/news/local_news/karate-instructor-pleads-guilty-in-federal-court/article_041b2923-bc93-5b90-9d8d-df8b0b6f6af6.html
effinghamdailynews.com
Karate instructor pleads guilty in federal court
Bill Grimes Daily News
Karate instructor pleads guilty in fed court
Posted: Friday, November 6, 2015 6:21 pm
Karate instructor pleads guilty in federal court Effingham Daily News
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Missouri — The former Altamont man accused of taking one of his female karate students across state lines for sexual purposes has pleaded guilty in federal court.
Steven C. Larson, 61, pleaded guilty Oct. 20 to transporting the 13-year-old across state lines on Jan. 31. Larson was arrested early the next morning. It was later determined that he had engaged in sexual activity with the girl.
Effingham County State's Attorney Bryan Kibler had filed charges against Larson that included kidnapping, unlawful restraint, obstructing justice and indecent solicitation of sexual activity. But Kibler said Friday that he plans to hold off on any more action until Larson is sentenced Jan. 19 in U.S. District Court at Cape Girardeau.
"I want to see what happens down there in Cape Girardeau before I make a final decision on what happens in Effingham County," Kibler said.
Kibler said federal prosecutors plan to ask for a nine-year prison sentence followed by mandatory supervised release. Federal sentencing guidelines mandate that Larson serve 85 percent of whatever sentence he receives. He will also have to register as a sex offender.
Larson is scheduled for a status hearing Jan. 6 in Effingham County Circuit Court.
Bill Grimes can be reached at 217-347-7151, ext. 132, at [email protected], or on Twitter @EDNBGrimes.
effinghamdailynews.com
Karate instructor pleads guilty in federal court
Bill Grimes Daily News
Karate instructor pleads guilty in fed court
Posted: Friday, November 6, 2015 6:21 pm
Karate instructor pleads guilty in federal court Effingham Daily News
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Missouri — The former Altamont man accused of taking one of his female karate students across state lines for sexual purposes has pleaded guilty in federal court.
Steven C. Larson, 61, pleaded guilty Oct. 20 to transporting the 13-year-old across state lines on Jan. 31. Larson was arrested early the next morning. It was later determined that he had engaged in sexual activity with the girl.
Effingham County State's Attorney Bryan Kibler had filed charges against Larson that included kidnapping, unlawful restraint, obstructing justice and indecent solicitation of sexual activity. But Kibler said Friday that he plans to hold off on any more action until Larson is sentenced Jan. 19 in U.S. District Court at Cape Girardeau.
"I want to see what happens down there in Cape Girardeau before I make a final decision on what happens in Effingham County," Kibler said.
Kibler said federal prosecutors plan to ask for a nine-year prison sentence followed by mandatory supervised release. Federal sentencing guidelines mandate that Larson serve 85 percent of whatever sentence he receives. He will also have to register as a sex offender.
Larson is scheduled for a status hearing Jan. 6 in Effingham County Circuit Court.
Bill Grimes can be reached at 217-347-7151, ext. 132, at [email protected], or on Twitter @EDNBGrimes.
http://www.effinghamdailynews.com/news/local_news/former-karate-instructor-moved-to-missouri-to-face-statutory-rape/article_7dfa78da-3bcf-50e9-b656-2b9f1401e7d7.html
Former karate instructor moved to Missouri to face statutory rape charges
Posted: Friday, May 29, 2015 5:58 pm
Bill Grimes Daily News
The rural Altamont man accused of various crimes connected with his alleged liaison with one of his former karate students last winter has apparently chosen to face more serious charges in Missouri.
Steven C. Larson, 60, chose to be transported to southeast Missouri on Thursday, Effingham County State's Attorney Bryan Kibler said Friday.
"It (the transport) was at the defendant's request," Kibler said. "After looking at it, this may be a more efficient way to do it."
While Larson faces five felony charges in Illinois — including two counts of kidnapping, and one count of unlawful restraint, obstructing justice and solicitation of a minor — none of them carry more than a seven-year prison sentence.
In Missouri, however, Larson would likely spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted of the most serious charge against him, first-degree statutory rape. That charge carries a mandatory life sentence with no parole possible until after 30 years have been served.
Larson is also charged with child kidnapping, which carries a sentencing range of 10 to 30 years, or life; and first-degree child molestation, with a sentencing range of five to 15 years.
New Madrid County officials confirmed Friday that Larson is being held in the nearby Pemiscot County Jail in Caruthersville, Missouri, where all New Madrid County inmates are held.
No hearing dates have been set, though Larson is expected to make a first appearance in Judge Josh Underwood's courtroom early next week. New Madrid County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Lawson was unavailable for comment Friday afternoon.
Kibler said Larson's departure for Missouri doesn't mean his office is going to ignore the local charges.
Posted: Friday, May 29, 2015 5:58 pm
Bill Grimes Daily News
"We're still hoping to get him to trial in our county before the end of the year," Kibler said. "We're going to see him again."
In Effingham County Circuit Court on Friday, Judge Kimberly Koester set a status hearing for 9 a.m. July 28. Larson had been scheduled to stand trial next week on his Illinois charges, but Koester vacated that during Friday's hearing.
The charges in both states stem from Larson's alleged trip from a point in rural Altamont to Sikeston, Missouri, with a 13-year-old girl on Jan. 31 and their alleged sexual activities after arriving in Sikeston. Larson was arrested at a motel room early on the morning of Feb. 1. He had been jailed in Effingham County in lieu of $250,000 bond since his return to Illinois.
Bill Grimes can be reached at 217-347-7151, ext. 132, at [email protected], or on Twitter @EDNBGrimes.
Former karate instructor moved to Missouri to face statutory rape charges
Posted: Friday, May 29, 2015 5:58 pm
Bill Grimes Daily News
The rural Altamont man accused of various crimes connected with his alleged liaison with one of his former karate students last winter has apparently chosen to face more serious charges in Missouri.
Steven C. Larson, 60, chose to be transported to southeast Missouri on Thursday, Effingham County State's Attorney Bryan Kibler said Friday.
"It (the transport) was at the defendant's request," Kibler said. "After looking at it, this may be a more efficient way to do it."
While Larson faces five felony charges in Illinois — including two counts of kidnapping, and one count of unlawful restraint, obstructing justice and solicitation of a minor — none of them carry more than a seven-year prison sentence.
In Missouri, however, Larson would likely spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted of the most serious charge against him, first-degree statutory rape. That charge carries a mandatory life sentence with no parole possible until after 30 years have been served.
Larson is also charged with child kidnapping, which carries a sentencing range of 10 to 30 years, or life; and first-degree child molestation, with a sentencing range of five to 15 years.
New Madrid County officials confirmed Friday that Larson is being held in the nearby Pemiscot County Jail in Caruthersville, Missouri, where all New Madrid County inmates are held.
No hearing dates have been set, though Larson is expected to make a first appearance in Judge Josh Underwood's courtroom early next week. New Madrid County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Lawson was unavailable for comment Friday afternoon.
Kibler said Larson's departure for Missouri doesn't mean his office is going to ignore the local charges.
Posted: Friday, May 29, 2015 5:58 pm
Bill Grimes Daily News
"We're still hoping to get him to trial in our county before the end of the year," Kibler said. "We're going to see him again."
In Effingham County Circuit Court on Friday, Judge Kimberly Koester set a status hearing for 9 a.m. July 28. Larson had been scheduled to stand trial next week on his Illinois charges, but Koester vacated that during Friday's hearing.
The charges in both states stem from Larson's alleged trip from a point in rural Altamont to Sikeston, Missouri, with a 13-year-old girl on Jan. 31 and their alleged sexual activities after arriving in Sikeston. Larson was arrested at a motel room early on the morning of Feb. 1. He had been jailed in Effingham County in lieu of $250,000 bond since his return to Illinois.
Bill Grimes can be reached at 217-347-7151, ext. 132, at [email protected], or on Twitter @EDNBGrimes.