A Poplar Bluff man faces child molestation charges in Ripley County after he allegedly had sexual contact with a girl over a period of several years.
David M. DeRousse, 42, of the 200 block of Red Robin Lane is charged with three Class B felonies of first-degree child molestation, three Class C felonies of third-degree child molestation and the Class E felony of fourth-degree child molestation.
DeRousse is currently free on $50,000 bond. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 2.
According to the probable cause statement filed by Ripley County Sheriff’s Deputy Charles Roper, he met with a woman Oct. 24, who alleged DeRousse had inappropriately touched her 14-year-old daughter.
Deputies report a forensic interview was conducted with the alleged victim two days later. During the course of the forensic interview, the girl reportedly said the molestation began when she was seven or eight years old. DeRousse allegedly touched himself in a sexual manner and then had the alleged victim touch him.
The alleged victim went on to say DeRousse continued to act in this way until she was nine or 10 years old and then he also started showing her pornographic videos. The abuse occurred until she was 14, the girl told law enforcement.
If convicted on all charges, DeRousse could face up to 79 years in prison — five to 15 years on each of the three Class B felony counts, three to 10 years on each of the three Class C felony counts and one to four years on the Class E felony charge.