OSAGE COUNTY — An Osage County jury on Friday found Louis Galvan, 69, guilty of multiple sex crimes involving the repeated sexual abuse of a child family member under the age of 12. The two-day trial was held before the Honorable Craig E. Hellmann in Linn.

Jurors deliberated for two hours before returning guilty verdicts on statutory sodomy in the first degree, child molestation in the first degree, and child molestation in the second degree. Evidence presented at trial showed that Galvan sexually abused his young relative across two separate year-long periods.

The victim, now an adult, testified during the trial and faced Galvan in court. Prosecutors said she continued cooperating with authorities because she wanted “the little me” to know she had never stopped fighting for her.

The case was prosecuted jointly by Osage County Prosecuting Attorney Amanda Grellner and the Missouri Attorney General’s Office. Assistant Attorneys General Tristin M. Estep and Kirsten Pryde tried the case alongside Grellner, with investigative support from Kyle Eckhoff and Paralegal Jay Turner of the Attorney General’s Office. The Osage County Sheriff’s Office and the Missouri Children’s Division handled the initial investigation.

Grellner said the verdict represents the victim’s persistence and courage.

“This verdict belongs to the victim, who never stopped fighting for justice,” she said. “Our community can be proud that she had the courage to face her abuser and tell her story. Working together with the Attorney General’s Office ensured we had the resources needed to present the strongest possible case, but it was her bravery that made this outcome possible.”

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway also commended the survivor and the joint effort.

“This young woman’s courage ensured that a dangerous child molester will never again harm another child,” Hanaway said. “The Missouri Attorney General’s Office will continue standing with victims of sexual abuse. We are proud of the work we accomplished in partnership with local Prosecutor Amanda Grellner, and will continue collaborating with local prosecutors to make sure predators are held fully accountable.”

According to the Attorney General’s Office, Galvan was found to be a prior and persistent felony offender, with previous convictions for burglary, arson, stealing, and a federal controlled-substance offense. He faces a possible sentence of 10 to 30 years or life imprisonment on each count. Sentencing will be determined by Judge Hellmann at a later date.

Grellner expressed appreciation for the support her office received and for the jurors’ diligence.

“I also truly appreciated how attentive the jury was,” she said. “We have such dedicated juries here in Osage County. They always listen intently to all of the evidence presented and give serious consideration to all of the facts.”