LINN — Mark Musgrave, 63, of Chamois, who was arrested in December 2020, pleaded guilty on Monday to three counts of statutory sodomy of a person less than 14 years of age, and one count of possession of child pornography.

A separate charge, for possession of methamphetamine, was dropped.

After the requisite questions to determine Musgrave was competent to plead, Judge Ryan J. Helfrich read each charge individually.

“Count one charges you with the offense of statutory sodomy, or attempted statutory sodomy, involving a person less than 14 years of age,” Helfrich read. “In bringing that offense against you, Mr. Musgrave, the state alleges that between Jan. 5, 2017, and Feb. 12, 2018, in the county of Osage, state of Missouri, that you, for the purpose of arousing or gratifying your sexual desire, knowingly had deviant sexual intercourse with a person whose initials are B.F., who was then a child less than 14 years old, by using your mouth to perform oral sex on B.F. Mr. Musgrave, do you understand all those allegations?”

“Yes, your honor,” Musgrave replied.

“Are each and every one of those allegations true,” Helfrich asked.

“Yes, sir,” Musgave replied.

“Sir, are you pleading guilty to count one here today,” Helfrich asked.

“Yes, sir,” Musgave replied.

The next three charges were asked and answered in the same way.

In charge two, also statutory sodomy or attempted statuary sodomy involving a person less than 14 years of age, the state alleged that, during that same time frame, Musgrave also performed oral sex on a second minor victim, with the initials C.C. 

Charge three accused Musgrave of possession of child pornography (first offense). The state alleged that on or about December 9, 2020, Musgrave knowingly possessed child pornography of a person less than 18, consisting of a minor female engaging in oral sex and sodomy.

In the final count, also statutory sodomy or attempted statutory sodomy involving a person less than 14 years of age, the state alleged that between Jan. 5, 2017, and Feb. 12, 2018, Musgrave knowingly had deviant sexual intercourse with C.C., who was then a child less than 14 years of age, by having C.C. perform oral sex on him.

Musgrave pleaded guilty on all counts. Musgrave also waived the Sentencing Assessment Report (SAR), allowing Judge Helfrich to complete sentencing on Monday.

“Does the state counsel make or offer any statements?” Judge Helfrich asked, prior to sentencing.

“The only statements that I would offer would be the victim impact statements that have been provided to me to be read, if now is an acceptable time to do that,” Grellner replied.

Judge Helfrich indicated for her to proceed.

Grellner began with a statement from the victim with the initials C.C.

“I am a victim of child sex abuse,” C.C.’s statement began. “I am still discovering all the ways that the abuse and exploitation I suffered has hurt me and set my life on the wrong course. It destroyed the normal childhood, teenage years, and early adulthood that everyone deserves.”

C.C. went on to describe how the abuse and the ensuing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has affected her life.

“I am so angry at the world,” her statement continued. “I miss my best friend. She was the only one that understood the hurt and pain. I am grateful for the time that we shared and that I can seek vengeance for all the suffering we endured. I still get flashbacks of the things that were done to me, (Barbara) and Austin.

“Although once I was a scared little girl, I am proof today that I am not afraid anymore” C.C. Continued. “I am opening my mouth and letting words fill the air. Mark Musgrave deserves to serve the longest amount of time possible due to his [crimes]. Trust me when I say this: if I could have, I would have spoken sooner. If I had been as strong as I am today, maybe I could have spared myself the pain I went through.”

C.C. also asked for financial restitution.

Grellner then read a second statement from Mary Froment.

“In all honesty, I am not sure how to put into words how I truly feel regarding the nature of these crimes,” Froment wrote. “I would, however, like to give a voice to those who no longer have one in this case. My niece, Barbara Froment, will forever be 13 years old. She died knowing abuse that no child should ever know. She was robbed of so much, but mainly of her innocence that should have been protected by her mother, and ultimately her life.

“She never got to just live and be loved and enjoy life,” Froment continued. “No, instead she endured years, YEARS, of horrible abuse at the hands of two people who she should have been able to go to for safety and security, and then she was robbed even further by her death in a horrible fire. Barbara does not get to tell the courts how this made her feel or what all happened to her. Barbara doesn’t get to personally seek the justice she deserves. Nor does she get to watch her abusers be locked away for what they did to her. (Barbara’s) voice is being heard through her dear friend (C.C.), who without her I don’t believe this case would have moved as far as it has.”

Froment went on to outline the abuse C.C. suffered. “Austin will forever be 9 years old,” Froment continued. “He died knowing nothing but abuse and hatefulness at the hands of his father and stepmother. I pray the courts will keep in mind just what two of these children are forever missing out on, as they are no longer here with us. I realize no amount of punishment is enough for what happened to these precious angels, but I also don’t believe these two sick and disgusting individuals should be allowed to live a free life while these children will forever be imprisoned by (the Musgraves’) choices to sexually abuse them, and by death.”

When asked for comments of her own, Grellner said, “Judge, I think that the words in this victim impact statement probably lay out for the court with more emotion and meaning than anything that I say could. I don’t probably have to tell the court my feelings about Mr. Musgrave, or Mrs. Musgrave, who is now in Department of Corrections, and the trauma that they’ve inflicted on these children.

“I believe that a term of years, as outlined by the plea agreement, in the Department of Corrections, is fitting for Mr. Musgrave,” Grellner continued. “I do believe that, based on the sentencing provisions, that will provide the type of justice these victims deserve.”

Both Musgrave and his attorney declined to make a statement.

Following Grellner’s recommendation, per the terms of the plea deal, Judge Helfrich, sentenced Musgrave to 28 years imprisonment for each count of statutory sodomy and seven years for possession of child pornography, to be served concurrently.

“I am going to take the lead of the prosecutor in this case,” Helfrich said. “I am going to reserve making a comment. There’s nothing that I can add — or that will be appropriate for me to add — for this record. Mr. Musgrave, so that you know, I will sign the sentence and judgment before I leave the building today. That means that you will be transported to the Department of Corrections by the Osage County Sheriff immediately.”

After Musgrave was sentenced, the sheriff’s office filed an invoice with the Circuit Court for $72,305, for housing him between his arrest and sentencing (1,469 days at $45 per day and 124 days at $50 per day). Musgrave was transferred to the Department of Corrections later that day.

“We are thankful to see justice served in the case of Mark L. Musgrave,” said Osage County Sheriff Michael Bonham, after confirming Musgrave had been transported. “His conviction and 28-year sentence reflect the seriousness of the crimes he committed and the harm caused to vulnerable members of our community. I want to commend the investigators, prosecutors, and all those who worked diligently to bring this case to a close. Our office remains committed to protecting our children and holding offenders accountable — no matter who they are or where they come from. We hope this outcome provides some measure of closure and healing for the victims and their families.”