Sex offender charged with addt’l crimes here

Ava resident Brandon W. Williams, 37, is currently being held in custody on charges of aggravated sexual abuse and sodomy in Ozark County. He is scheduled to appear before Associate Judge Raymond Gross at 11 a.m. Dec. 10, for a criminal setting. 

According to the probable cause statement, prepared by Ozark County Sheriff’s Sgt. Seth A. Miller, on Aug. 22, Deputy Hunter Ryan took a report from a victim in Ozark County alleging sexual abuse and sodomy. Ryan later informed Miller about the allegations and requested an investigation be carried out.

On Sept. 4, Miller interviewed the victim at the Ozark County Sheriff’s Department. During the interview the victim stated Williams had engaged in acts during a consensual encounter that she did not agree to and continued after she repeatedly voiced her opposition. The victim said she was in fear for her safety due to Williams’ previous charges, which resulted in him being listed on the Missouri Sexual Offender Registry. 

According to the Missouri Sex Offender registry website, he was convicted of statutory sodomy in 2009 when he was 21. The crime involved a 13-year-old girl in Ava, the report says. 

On Sept. 5, Miller spoke with Williams. He reportedly said the claims were false and that everything the pair did together sexually was consensual. Miller asked if it was possible he had carried out the allegations, and he reportedly said it was a possibility due to his lack of sleep, being tired during the act and a vague memory of the acts. 

Williams did, however, remember the minute of dropping the victim off and the exact details of the act, which were corroborated with the victim’s statements. 

Williams is represented by Attorney James Jason Coatney. A special prosecutor was requested in this case, and Douglas County Prosecutor Matthew Weatherman was appointed.