Man gets 12 years for child molestation

Southeast Missourian

JACKSON, Mo. -- A Friedheim, Mo., man was sentenced to 12 years in prison Monday for domestic assault and child molestation.

Timothy D. Klaus, 42, pleaded guilty Feb. 11 to the charges, which included one count of domestic assault, a third-degree misdemeanor, and one count of child molestation, a class B felony.

With his plea, he admitted that on Sept. 3, he caused physical injury to another member of his family by kicking and pushing her.

He also admitted that on the same day he subjected a then-11-year-old girl to sexual contact.

Appearing Monday before Circuit Judge Scott Thompsen, Klaus was sentenced to one year in the county jail for the domestic assault charge.

For the child molestation charge, he received a 12-year sentence in the state prison.

Assistant prosecuting attorney Scott Lipke handled the case.