Scott County case dropped after man sentenced on federal child porn charge

A man charged with attempted statutory rape, sexual misconduct and enticement of a child in Scott County had his case dismissed Feb. 25 before Circuit Judge David Dolan because he was prosecuted in federal court, said Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter on Monday.

Douglas Bone, 36, was charged in Scott County after he traveled from Arnold, Mo., to Benton, Mo., to have sex with a girl he thought was 14 years old. Investigators began chatting with Bone in 2008, posing as an underage female. The two arranged to meet in Benton on Jan. 16.

"We always look at it from both directions. If the feds can get more time, we will go with them, but you can't have both," Walter said.

On Feb. 5, Bone was sentenced in federal court to seven years in prison for being in possession of child pornography, according to assistant U.S. attorney Larry Ferrell.

ehevern@semissourian.com

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