2 arrested on sodomy, child sex charges in Sikeston

SIKESTON, Mo. (KBSI) – Two people were arrested in Sikeston after an extensive manhunt since October.

Vessa and Donald Tyra had been evading law enforcement since early October after Scott County Sheriff’s Office filed probable cause affidavits and warrants were issued for their arrest, according to the Scott County Sheriff’s Office.

Donald Tyra faces three counts of statutory sodomy, child molestation 3rd, domestic assault 4th and endangering the welfare of a child 1st.

Vessa Tyra faces two counts of statutory sodomy, sexual misconduct with a child under 15 and endangering the welfare of a child 1st.

After several weeks of trying to catch the couple, the Scott County Sheriff’s requested the assistance of the US Marshall Service since information was received they had left the area. After several weeks, agents with the US Marshal determined the couple had returned to the Sikeston.

Authorities executed a search warrant at a Sikeston home with the US Marshals, Sikeston Department of Public Safety, and the Scott County Sheriff’s Office.

Vessa and Donald Tyra were taken into custody without incident and remain in the Scott County Jail with no bonds.