Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon appointed assistant Scott County prosecuting attorney Blake Pearson as associate circuit judge for Scott County on Wednesday.

Pearson replaces retired Judge William H. Winchester.

Winchester presided over juvenile and probate cases.

Pearson has been with the Scott County Prosecuting Attorney's Office since 2013, according to a news release from the governor's office.

He also serves as a high-intensity drug-trafficking area special prosecutor for Scott, Bollinger and Mississippi counties, according to the release.

He served as interim prosecuting attorney while Paul Boyd was deployed in Afghanistan in 2013 and 2014.

Pearson was part of the firm Lawrence and Pearson in Sikeston, Missouri, from 1998 through 2013 and served as an assistant public defender in Buchanan County, Missouri, from 1996 through 1998.

Pertinent address:

131 Winchester St., Benton, Mo.