Judge Scott Lipke sentenced Timothy Brandes, 50, of Perryville, to 15 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for child molestation in the second degree July 21.
The investigation for this case was led by Det. Michelle Priest, with the Perryville Police Department, and Det. Amber Crites, with the Perry County Sheriff’s Office.
Officers were notified of the molestation on April 4 when the victim disclosed the sexual abuse to a parent, who then immediately notified law enforcement. In addition to the statements of the victim, law enforcement officers were able to recover security camera footage showing some of the acts of sexual abuse.
The case was referred to the Perry County Prosecuting Attorney, Caitlin Pistorio, on April 5 and charges were filed that same day by Pistorio.
Before charges were filed, multiple witnesses notified law enforcement that Brandes had left the state of Missouri with a large sum of cash.
A nationwide search for Brandes was conducted with the assistance of federal, state, and local law enforcement officers before Brandes eventually turned himself in on April 10, 2021 at the behest of his friends.
On May 19, 2021, Brandes appeared in front of Judge Lipke and pled guilty to the single count of child molestation in the second degree.
During his plea, Brandes admitted to the court that he touched the 12-year-old victim and that he did so for sexual gratification.