Jefferson City man accused of sexually abusing child for years

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A 32-year-old Jefferson City man has been accused of sexually abusing a child from 2019-23.

Dakota Benton was charged with statutory sodomy of a child younger than 14 years old and first-degree child molestation. He is being held at the Cole County Jail without bond. A court date has not been scheduled.

The probable cause statement says the minor victim told their mother on June 1 that they were sexually abused by Benton from the time they were in fifth grade through eighth grade. Benton was described in court documents as being close to the family.

Benton allegedly asked the youth to help him with his lawn mowing business and told the child he had “feelings” for them, the statement says. Benton then allegedly abused the victim multiple times per week for years and the victim told law enforcement that they did not know how to say “no,” nor did they understand what was happening early on, the statement says.

Benton allegedly denied touching the victim, but did tell law enforcement that he watched pornography with the youth, the statement says.