Larson Pleads Guilty to Federal Offense

Altamont resident Steven Larson has pleaded guilty to a federal criminal count related to transporting a 13-year-old rural Altamont girl across state lines for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity.

The 60-year-old Larson and the 13-year-old girl traveled from Effingham County to Cape Girardeau, Missouri at the end of January. Both individuals reportedly told investigators at the time that they engaged in sex in Missouri.

Larson faces circuit court charges in both Effingham County and in Missouri. He was charged by federal authorities in July.

Eastern Missouri US District Court officials Wednesday said that Larson and Federal prosecutors agreed on a sentence not to exceed 108 months, which is nine years, in prison, followed by mandatory supervised release. Under federal guidelines, Larson would have to serve at least 85% of the prison sentence.

Larson is to be sentenced on January 19, 2016. An official with the US Attorney's office in Cape Girardeau said that either side could withdraw from the agreement on sentence if the judge imposes too stiff or too lenient a sentence.

In the meantime, Effingham County State's Attorney Bryan Kibler said the local charges are still on file and will be pursued once the Federal case is concluded.