Larson Trial Set for May 4

A trial date of May 4 has been set for Altamont resident Steven Larson.

The 60-year-old Larson is charged with two counts of kidnapping along with counts of indecent solicitation of a child, unlawful restraint and obstructing justice. The counts stem from the January 31 disappearance of a 13-year-old girl from rural Effingham who was located later with Larson in a motel in Sikeston, Missouri.

A grand jury has indicted Larson on the counts, so a scheduled preliminary hearing was not needed during a Thursday court appearance. Effingham County Public Defender Scott Schmidt entered a not guilty plea on his client's behalf. 

The case is next due in court on April 23 for a pre-trial hearing.

Larson has also been charged in Missouri with counts of child kidnapping, statutory rape in the first degree and child molestation in the first degree. Those counts will be prosecuted once the Effingham County case is concluded.

Larson remains in Effingham County Jail under $250,000 bond.