Reed enters open guilty plea to amended charges

John R. Reed, 62, who has been in the Ozark County Jail since June 2024, entered an open guilty plea to three amended charges of child molestation during the Oct. 8 session of Ozark County Circuit Court. The charges stem from instances of molestation occurring approximately 25 years ago. 

Two of the molestation charges are charged as class C felonies and one charge is a class B felony. For a class B felony, the court can impose a minimum of five years in the Department of Correction, with a maximum of 15 years. Class C felonies are punishable by three to 10 years in prison. 

The state recommended capping the prison time for Reed at 15 years. A sentencing assessment report will be conducted and sentencing for Reed will be at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 17. 

By entering an open plea, Reed avoids a trial but must accept the punishment handed down by the judge. Reed was reminded of this fact several times before Judge Craig Carter accepted his plea. “You do understand that by entering an open guilty plea you are basically throwing yourself on the mercy of the court?” asked Carter.

Reed said he understood.

Reed was originally charged with three cases of first degree statutory sodomy.

Reed also faces charges of second degree child molestation in Wright County. According to Reed’s attorney, those charges will be dropped when sentencing is announced.

Reed’s Ozark County charges are in connection with the alleged sexual molestation of three child victims in two residences beginning approximately 25 years ago.  

Reed was arrested on June 3, 2024, 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, 2024, Reed was arrested and transported to the Ozark County Jail.

Reed is currently in the Ozark County Jail awaiting transfer to DOC.