Editor’s note: The following article describes a case of alleged sexual abuse of children spanning several years. While care has been taken to report on these charges with sensitivity to survivors and readers, it may still be disturbing to read. See something, say something: If you suspect a child is being abused, call the Missouri Child Abuse & Neglect Hotline, 800-392-3738. If you are experiencing domestic or sexual violence, or if you’re a survivor of the same needing support, call Christos House’s hotline, 800-611-5853.
A West Plains man has been charged with seven felonies after allegedly having sex with a minor over the course of several years and attempting to have sex with another about three years ago while promising the child cookies in exchange.
Benjamin N. Boucher, 39, is facing two charges of first-degree statutory rape, two charges of first-degree statutory sodomy, a charge each of first-degree rape and first-degree sodomy, and one charge of enticement of a child, or attempt.
Court records show Boucher posted $50,000 bond on Jan. 3, has entered a not guilty plea and is represented by Assistant Public Defender Jack Paisley. The records also show he was scheduled to appear for arraignment before Associate 37th Circuit Judge R. David Ray, but Assistant Prosecutor Rizwan Ahad requested a change of judge on Jan. 3. Prosecutors orally withdrew that motion the next day and advised a plea agreement would not resolve the case, meaning it would have to go to trial. The records also show that because Judge Ray's jurisdiction is limited to cases resolved by pleas, the case would have to be filed with Presiding Judge Steven Privette, who docketed the case for review on Tuesday. Updates following Tuesday's review were not yet available at press time.
In a probable cause statement submitted to prosecutors, Sgt. Aaron Galiher of the West Plains Police Department stated a minor aged 13 at the time of the incident came forward to report being subject to sexual advances made by Boucher, and the incident happened about three years prior at a home in West Plains.
During a Child Advocacy Center (CAC) investigative interview the victim said Boucher had asked to have sex in exchange for "golden cookies."
Another victim came forward to investigators to report being raped by Boucher almost nightly beginning when the victim was 9 until the age of 15, and the alleged assaults began when the child’s family was living in Jonesboro, Ark., and continued after they moved to West Plains, when the victim was 11 years old.
On occasions when the victim refused, Boucher reportedly retaliated by removing privileges, and the abuse wasn't reported because Boucher convinced the child no one would believe any reports made of the incidents.
When the victim turned 15, the statement continued, the child told Boucher they would go to the police if he attempted to rape them again, but the requests for sex didn't end. Boucher reportedly denied the allegations to law enforcement and claimed the children had been convinced to make false allegations by a family member.
The case is being prosecuted by Howell County Prosecutor Mike Hutchings and Ahad.
