Musgrave plea hearing stalled again

By Elise Brochu, UD Staff Writer
Posted 6/12/24

LINN — Mark Musgrave’s plea hearing, previously scheduled for June 5, has been continued until Sept. 4 at 9 a.m. for a plea or trial setting.    

According to the March 7 …

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Musgrave plea hearing stalled again

Posted

LINN — Mark Musgrave’s plea hearing, previously scheduled for June 5, has been continued until Sept. 4 at 9 a.m. for a plea or trial setting.   

According to the March 7 amended filing, the charges include two counts of first-degree sodomy (person less than 14), one count of aggravated first-degree sodomy (person less than 14), and one count of possession of child pornography (first offense), all of which are felony charges. Musgrave also faces a separate felony drug-possession charge alleging possession of controlled substance except 35 grams or less of marijuana/synthetic cannabinoid.

Musgrave was arrested after a minor victim told Deputy Dennis Sutton during a Dec. 3, 2020, forensic interview that she was subjected to unwanted sexual contact by the defendant at her home when she was 12 years old. 

A search warrant was executed at the Musgrave residence on Dec. 9, 2020, in conjunction with a search by the Mid Missouri Drug Task Force (MMDTF). During the search by MMDTF members, a bag containing methamphetamine was found in the couple’s bedroom. 

Also, during the search, a 64GB micro-SD card was seized from Musgrave, who had secreted it in his wallet. A separate search warrant to examine the contents of the storage device was obtained and led to the discovery of a video file, which showed what appeared to be a female child approximately 12 years in age, completely nude, engaged in sexual activity with an adult male.

During follow-up interview with two employees at Chamois R-1, both identified the female in the video as being a former student of the school, now deceased.

The defendant’s former wife, Elizabeth Musgrave, is currently serving time in the Chillicothe Correctional Center after pleading guilty to three counts of first-degree statutory sodomy on Aug. 30, 2023. She received consecutive sentences of seven years on each count, for a total of 21 years.