Man sentenced to 90 years after found guilty of statutory rape

SIKESTON, Mo. (KBSI) – A man was sentenced to 90 years behind bars on statutory rape charges on Wednesday.

This was a sexual assault case that originated in Sikeston Missouri. The case was worked by Sikeston Department of Public Safety beginning on October 23rd 2019.

The case went to a Scott County jury on June 5, 2024 the case was submitted to the jury at 6:21 p.m. Jury returned at 8:04 p.m. with findings of guilt on Counts II, III, and IV.

A jury found Cedric Pace guilty of statutory rape or attempted statutory rape – 1st degree – person less than 12 years of age, statutory rape or attempted statutory rape – 1st degree – person less than 14 years of age and statutory sodomy or attempted statutory sodomy – deviate sexual intercourse – person less than 14 years of age.

Judge Blake Pearson sentenced Pace on July 24 to 30 years on each count consecutive for a total of 90 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections.

“It was an emotional sentencing hearing with one victim providing the court testimony about the life changing nature of a crime such as this one,” said Scott County Prosecuting Attorney Donald R. Cobb. “As the Scott County Prosecutor I am very pleased with the work of the Sikeston Department of Public Safety, Scott County Juvenile Office and SEMO NASV, all top shelf organizations and I appreciate them. This was not an easy jury trial and there was a great deal of DNA testimony that the jury had to contemplate. It was obvious that they took their time and understood the science. There is no way to give back what has been taken from any victim but today is a step forward into hopefully rebuilding lives.”