Pettis County man pleads guilty to child molestation, sentenced to 20 years in prison

SEDALIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Green Ridge man pleaded guilty on Monday to two counts of third-degree child molestation.

Marlon Edward Lange was sentenced on Monday to 20 years in prison. The Pettis County Sheriff’s Office wrote on its social media that Lange was initially charged with child enticement and three counts of first-degree child molestation.

The sheriff’s office wrote that they were tipped off about Lange on March 11, 2023, and a warrant was issued for his arrest on Aug. 31, 2023. Lange allegedly tried to run away to New Mexico after learning about the warrant and eventually surrendered himself to the Pettis County Jail on Sept. 3, 2023, and was bonded out in November.

Lange was booked into the jail on Monday, the sheriff’s office wrote. He will be transferred to the Missouri Department of Corrections.