Larson Receives Nine Year Prison Term

Altamont resident Steve Larson has been sentenced to a federal prison term of nine years for taking a 13-year-old girl to Missouri where he had sexual relations with her.

The 61-year-old Larson pleaded guilty in US District Court in Cape Girardeau, Missouri in October. Larson pleaded guilty to a violation of the Mann Act, in that he transported the girl across state lines for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity. The maximum possible sentence for the offense was 10 years.

The incident began last January 30, when the Effingham County Sheriff's Department requested the assistance of the Illinois State Police in investigating a report of an abducted child. At the time, the girl had last been seen when her parents dropped her off with Larson, who was her karate instructor. Larson's vehicle was later found at the Amtrak station in Effingham. An Amber Alert was issued and Larson was charged in Effingham County with two counts of kidnapping.

Larson and the girl were found the next day at a motel in Sikeston, Missouri. Under questioning, both Larson and the girl acknowledged they had had sex.

Effingham County State's Attorney Bryan Kibler later filed additional charges against Larson, as did the New Madrid County, Missouri prosecuting attorney. Once the Federal charges were filed, the New Madrid County charges were dismissed, but Kibler has kept the Effingham County charges on file, saying he would decide how to proceed once the Federal case was concluded.

In addition to the kidnapping counts, Larson is charged in Effingham County with unlawful restraint and obstructing justice, along with indecent solicitation of a child.