Child molestation case filed in Ozark County

John R. Reed, 61, of Mountain Grove, has been charged in Ozark County with three counts of statutory sodomy in connection with the alleged sexual molestation of three child victims in two residences beginning approximately 25 years ago. He is also charged with one count of child molestation of a victim younger than 12 in Wright County. 

Reed was arrested on June 3, following an investigation by members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control Troops D and G criminal investigations units. 

In March 2024, investigators with the MSHP Troops D and G criminal investigations units began an investigation into child molestation reported to have first occurred approximately 25 years ago in Ozark County. 

Reed was alleged to have sexually molested three victims in two different residences, both located in Ozark County. 

Investigators conducted multiple interviews which corroborated victims' accounts of the incidents. 

On June 3, Reed was arrested and transported to the Ozark County Jail, where he was held pending the filing of formal charges. On June 4, the Ozark County Prosecuting Attorney formally charged Reed with the three counts of first-degree statutory sodomy. Reed is currently being held in the Ozark County Jail, without bond. He is scheduled for a bond reduction hearing at 9:30 a.m. June 11. Results of the hearing were not available at presstime. He is being represented by Missouri State Public Defender Chase Opolka. 

The Missouri State Highway Patrol asks that anyone with information about this investigation please contact Corporal Evan Tyrrell at (417) 469-3121 or Corporal Justin Peabody at (417) 895-6868.