Former Cooper County man accused in 1989 child sex crimes

COOPER COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Prosecutors charged a Cooper County man last week in connection with a 1989 sexual assault.

The Cooper County Prosecutor's Office filed a charge of forcible sodomy against Arnold O. Johnson Jr., 56, of Macon, Missouri, on Friday, according to court records.

The alleged victim, who was 6 years old at the time, reportedly told investigators the sexual assault happened while they were staying at their aunt and uncle's home after school.

The alleged assaults happened from June to August 1989 at Johnson's former home off of Reams Road in Boonville. Johnson told the victim to wait in a bedroom after they asked for a piece of candy, according to court documents. Investigators said Johnson sexually assaulted the victim in the bedroom. Johnson reportedly gave the victim a piece of candy to get them to stop crying after the sexual assault.

The probable cause statement did not say why the allegations are just coming out.

Court records show prosecutors Johnson's bond is set at $40,000. It wasn't clear Monday whether he had been arrested.