Jefferson City man sentenced to 25 years for abuse

A Jefferson City man will spend 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of 2nd degree domestic assault, one count of 2nd degree assault, and unlawful use of a weapon.

29-year-old Joe Stevens was set to be tried in Cole County on November 2 and November 16 in separate cases.

Stevens allegedly abused a woman he lived with by punching her in the head, dragging her by her hair, and burning her with cigarettes in 2012 and 2013.

Stevens was also originally charged with statutory rape and child molestation for allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl and forcing her to perform oral sex on him.

He spent time in jail for those rape and abuse charges and was released on bond in November 2013.

Stevens picked up the newest assault charges in April 2014, and remained in the Cole County Jail until his plea deal.

As part of his plea, Stevens also admitted to several misdemeanor offenses for violating an order of protection and marijuana possession.