PLATTE COUNTY, Mo.– After a three-day trial by jury a Platte City native, Daryl D. Lemasters now faces up to 180 years in prison. On Thursday a jury found Lemasters, 54, guilty on four counts of first-degree statutory sodomy, enticement of a child and sexual exploitation of a minor.
The Platte County Sheriff’s Department first received information in early February, 2011 stating that Lemasters had repeatedly touched two girls inappropriately. Days later, investigators searched Lemasters’ home and business where they found multiple items matching descriptions given by the victims. One such find included a clip of child pornography taken of one of the victims on Lemasters’ computer.
Over the span of the trial, Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys Justin Kalwei and Chris Seufert proved that Lemasters sexually abused the victims multiple times over a four-year period. During the sentencing phase of the trial, another woman came forth and testified that Lemasters sexually abused her when she was younger.
“He is a serial child rapist, but this jury’s verdict should ensure he will never have a chance to hurt another child,” said Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd.
The jury recommended Lemasters be sentenced to 30 years on each of the six counts. Zahnd said his office would ask Judge Hull to run the sentences consecutively resulting in a 180-year prison term.
“Justice and mercy for these victims demands that the defendant spend the rest of his life in prison,” said Zahnd.
By FOX 4 News Intern Scott Hofsommer. He currently attends the University of Central Missouri and is majoring in Digital Media Production.
