Bernie man sentenced to life in prison for statutory sodomy

BLOOMFIELD — A Bernie man has been sentenced to life in prison for first degree statutory sodomy, according to a press release from Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Russ Oliver.

Jimmy Sloan, 70, was originally arraigned in November 2018 on felony charges related to deviate sexual intercourse with a person younger than 12 years old.

Stoddard County Judge Joe Satterfield ordered the case closed at that time and court documents made confidential because a minor child was involved and due to the nature of information contained in statements.

Sloan originally plead not guilty, but withdrew that plea in June.

Sentencing was determined Monday in the courtroom of Judge Robert N. Mayer, following the completion of a sentencing assessment report.

“We are very pleased with this sentence of life imprisonment and believe that it is a very appropriate disposition for this crime,” Oliver said. “Due to the sensitive nature of this crime and to protect the identity of the victim, no further comment will be made by the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney.”