Jefferson City man sentenced to life in prison for child molestation

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Jefferson City man who pleaded guilty in April to first-degree child molestation was sentenced to life in prison on Monday, Cole County Prosecuting Attorney Locke Thompson announced in an afternoon press release.

Gary Owens, 60, was originally charged in 2024 with two counts of first-degree child molestation, first-degree sodomy, first-degree endangering the welfare of a child and incest. 

The release says Owens’ attorney asked for the minimum sentence of 10 years, but Judge Cotton Walker imposed the maximum sentence.

Court documents in previous reporting say the victim told law enforcement that they had been abused by Owens for at least four years.

Owens confessed to authorities when he was confronted, but claimed he “only” did it once before admitting to more assaults, previous reporting shows.