Belle man arrested for child molestation

By Elise Brochu, Staff Writer
Posted 12/5/24

OSAGE COUNTY — Joshua Gray, 46, of Belle, has been arrested and charged with one count of fourth-degree child molestation of a child less than 17 years of age and offender greater than 4 years …

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Belle man arrested for child molestation

Posted

OSAGE COUNTY — Joshua Gray, 46, of Belle, has been arrested and charged with one count of fourth-degree child molestation of a child less than 17 years of age and offender greater than 4 years older.

According to a probable cause statement filed by Det. Dennis Sutton, Deputy Tim Edwards responded to a protected Osage County address for a report of a sexual assault of a minor child. The victim stated that Gray had been molesting her for several years, starting when she was 12 or 13 when he reached down her swimsuit and touched her inappropriately.

The child told Sutton that Gray touched her private areas without her consent and rubbed her with his privates.

A warrant was issued for Gray’s arrest and broadcast statewide on Dec. 3. Around 12:15 that afternoon, a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper conducted a traffic stop on Gray’s vehicle and took him into custody.

Sutton responded to Cole County, where he took custody of Gray, who had waived his Miranda rights and agreed to speak with the detective. On the way to the Osage County Detention Facility, Gray said, “he had made several poor decisions and crossed the line with the victim.” However, he blamed the child for wearing provocative clothing and said that the victim placed his hands where she would like them when he visited her in her bed. Gray denied exposing or touching himself in front of the victim.

Gray was booked into the Osage County Detention Facility and released on Dec. 4 on a $25,000 conditional bond.

Sutton noted that Gray had “made suicidal statements due to the allegations levied toward him.”

In addition to the standard special conditions of his bond, Gray is prohibited from possessing weapons or consuming alcohol and is to have no contact with the victim. Judge Sonya Brandt has ordered him to report to a specified Compass Behavioral Health Facility within 24 hours of his release for a mental health assessment and services. Gray was also directed to submit to a curfew between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless required for employment or drug testing.

No court date has yet been set in this matter.