Larson Waives Extradition to Missouri, Local Trial Date Vacated

Rural Altamont resident Steven Larson has waived extradition, allowing him to return to Missouri to learn more about the charges that face him there. As a result, Judge Kimberly Koester Thursday vacated Larson's scheduled June 1 trial date in Effingham County.

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

Larson also faces charges in Missouri including child kidnapping, statuatory rape in the first degree and child molestation in the first degree. With his decision to waive extradition, Larson can now be returned to Missouri to face those charges, which include higher potential penalties than the local counts.

Larson had waived extradition back to Illinois after his arrest in Missouri and was returned to Illinois.

The motion to vacate Larson's trial date was a joint motion made by the defense and concurred in by the prosecution. Judge Koester also set a status hearing in the Effingham County case for May 29 to gauge progress in the entire matter.

During Thursday's court hearing, Kibler indicated "substantial progress has been made" in discussing the case with the defense locally.

Larson remains under $250,000 bond locally and will remain in Effingham County Jail until he goes to Missouri. Kibler had early in the case stated that trial for Larson on the Effingham County charges would take place, and then Larson would face the Missouri charges. He said today that Larson going to Missouri now doesn't mean a change in that plan.