Reed sentenced to 15 years for child molestation

A Mountain Grove man convicted of repeatedly sexually abusing children in Ozark County more than two decades ago was sentenced to 15 years in prison last week.

John Reed, 73, was handed the prison sentence during a Jan. 7 hearing before Circuit Judge Craig Carter in Ozark County court, bringing a measure of accountability in a case marked by decades of silence, trauma and lasting harm to multiple victims.

Victims’ statements

Two of Reed’s daughters, his ex-wife (on behalf of Reed’s stepson) and one of his sisters read statements entailing the effects of the sexual abuse on multiple victims during the hearing.

First heard was one of Reed’s adult daughters who said she wanted the court and Reed to know how his actions have affected her life. She said the abuse began when she was around 7 or 8 years old and continued for several years.

“At that age I didn’t understand that what he was doing was wrong,” she read from her prepared statement. “I grew up abused, scared and broken, not realizing that my innocence had been stolen from me.”

She said her life was a “constant struggle” because of Reed’s actions. “Because of what he did, I grew up not understanding my own worth or how I deserved to be treated. I became angry, lost and self destructive.”

She detailed how she ran away from home and turned to drugs because she didn’t know how to cope with her internal pain. She said she was turned over to the state’s care and went into group homes and foster homes because her mother could not “handle” her. 

“I never got the chance to have a normal childhood, attend a regular school or even just be a kid. For many years I struggled with hatred and mistrust...The trauma I experienced affected every aspect of my life, my relationships, my decisions and my sense of self.”

She told the court that she had told others about the abuse but she was dismissed. “For 16 years I carried that pain, knowing I had tried to stop him from doing it to anybody else. My heart breaks knowing [that others suffered] because my words weren’t heard back then.”

She then asked the judge to impose a sentence that would keep him from ever having access to another child.

“He took my childhood, my trust and years away from my life that I can never get back. I am reclaiming my power, and I know I may never fully heal from what he did but being able to speak, being heard is an important step for me.”

Statement from stepson

Reed’s ex-wife was the second person to address the court, reading  a letter from her son (Reed’s stepson) who was not able to appear in court because of medical reasons.

“It’s been a long road for me. I’ve been having nightmares, can’t sleep and keep having dreams about that day it happened. I was only 9 years old. It was uncalled for and unfair and disgusting,” she read.

“I just want to have my life back and justice for the victims. I just want him to go away so I can have peace. Judge, I just want you to do the right thing for all the victims.”

Second daughter’s statement

The second of Reed’s daughters then read her statement. She told the court she struggles with everyday tasks because of depression and nightmares brought on by Reed’s abuse.

“It makes me feel like I am not worth the air that I breathe. It has made trusting people almost impossible. I don’t know if I will be able to fully trust anyone ever again. 

“Hearing someone say, ‘I love you’ and then do the things that was done to me makes it hard to trust ...

“This abuse has made how I view things with my kids completely different than how I planned. I keep them very close and always have to know who and what they are talking about because I don’t want these things to happen to them… 

“I will always be on edge because I am so scared that it will happen again,” she told the judge.

Final victim statement

The final person to read a statement was one of Reed’s sisters, who said she was also one of his victims when she was a child and teenager.

“I love my brother. I don’t condone what he’s done…I did tell people, but it didn’t go nowhere, nobody believed me. I want my brother to get help,” she said. “I don’t want no one else...” She stopped reading, unable to continue through her tears.

“You don’t have to say anything,” Judge Carter told her. “This is your time. You do have the floor. Whatever is comfortable for you, works for the court.”

Unable to finish her statement, her silence was telling enough, making a profound impact on everyone in the courtroom.

In support of Reed

Douglas Schouten, Reed’s brother-in-law since 2010 and a retired Department of Corrections correctional officer, asked the court to allow Reed to live with him and Reed’s sister at their lake home.

Schouten said he’s spent much time with Reed at family functions, fishing and camping and feels comfortable with Reed being around his family.

“He’s always been loving with kids,” he said. “But John has never reflected that he would ever do anything or he wouldn’t have been around my grandkids or anything like that.”

Schouten also testified that Reed was faithful, religious and had attended church regularly.

“I love him. He’s my brother-in-law.”

Schouten said Reed’s sister would be able to take him to doctor appointments and they would be able to take care of many medical needs.

Defense attorney James Colston asked him if he believed that incarceration would be appropriate.

“No,” said Schouten. “He’s going to deteriorate and basically die in prison, and that doesn’t need to take place... not when, if everybody down here is…concerned about him being around the family down here. We’re 151 miles from here. They don’t have to come up and see him. We’re there, we’ll take care of him.”

After assuring the court they would make sure Reed would have no contacts with the victims, Schouten told the court, “Maybe I can get him active again, if nothing else, get him fresh air where he can live before he dies of a heart attack or a stroke.”

Second sister testifies

Another of Reed’s sisters testified, this time on behalf of him.

Tammy Mab told the court that Reed babysat her when she was a child after their mother went to work. “I never once had any ill feelings. John never done anything to me.

“I never would have ever imagined those things that were said to be done ... that’s not my brother.”

Colston asked her if she was still comfortable being around her brother after hearing the victims’ statements.

“Oh absolutely. I have questioned one of my nieces - that if these things happened to her when she was a child, why did she let her two little girls go around him? I will never understand that. If I had children and those things happened to me I would not let my kids around him,” she said.

After testifying about Reed’s involvement with his church, she answered Colston’s question if incarceration would benefit Reed or the community.

“That’s a hard answer only because there are statements that they believe are true. If they are true, I believe John needs help. Do I believe corrections is the answer? I don’t know that answer. My personal opinion is no. I think helping around Doug’s place would benefit him, and he would be away from those that accused. They wouldn’t have to contact, wouldn’t have to go up there. 

“It would be a safe place for John.”

“And a safe place for everyone else?” asked Colston.

“Oh absolutely,” she said. “And if we wanted to go see him we could.”

Reed testifies

Reed then testified about the numerous medical issues he had including heart and kidney disease, diabetes, Parkinson’s, COPD, hernias, emphysema and use of a CPAP machine.

“Do you believe incarceration would be the best outcome for you?” asked Colston.

“No. I believe the Department of Corrections would be the worst thing,” Reed said. “I would die in prison.” Reed said he would prefer living with his sister and brother-in-law or a nursing home.

“I’m sorry for the way they feel,” Reed said about the victims. “But, nothing I can do about it now.”

Judge’s statement to victims

After announcing the 15-year DOC sentence, Judge Carter spoke to Reed’s victims.

“Folks, I understand this will not fix your soul. I wish I could do that. I’m sorry, I cannot…I hope this helps heal. You’re gonna have the scar but hopefully the time and the distance will help you get by.”

Case history

Reed was convicted in October 2025 to three felony counts of child molestation. In accordance with a plea agreement, he entered an open guilty plea in exchange for the prosecutor to cap his recommended sentence at no more than 15 years in prison. 

By entering the open plea, Reed avoided taking the case to trial and potentially being convicted and sentenced to a longer prison sentence, but it meant he must accept the punishment handed down by the judge.

Colston requested that Reed be given probation instead of a prison sentence because the acts happened so long ago. 

He said charges of second degree child molestation in a separate but similar Wright County case had already been dismissed, according to an agreement with the state. The victims in that case are still minors, according to previous court records.

Reed’s convictions are tied to the sexual abuse of three children at two Ozark County residences dating back roughly 25 years. 

After decades without accountability, the case moved forward following a Missouri State Highway Patrol investigation, leading to Reed’s arrest on June 2, 2024. 

In handing down the 15-year sentence, the court emphasized that while the ruling could not erase the victims’ trauma, it ensured that Reed would be held accountable for his actions - no matter how much time had passed.