According to information filed in Independence County Circuit Court, the Independence County Sheriff’s Department received a “Crimes Against Children” referral, alleging child sexual abluse, on Wednesday, July 29. The filing said the victim was under the age of 10 while the suspect was 60 years old
The court info said the reporting party was told by a juveline of alleged sexual abuse by the accused, identified as Lonnie Keith Cavaness (pictured below), 60, of Pleasant Plains
The individual also told authorities that the juvenile told the individual who sexually abused them and how, and how a younger juvenile was spanked with a belt, leaving marks on the second juvenile’s back and buttocks.
Image via Independence County Sheriff’s Department
Cavaness was brought to the sheriff’s department that Wednesday evening where authorities say, during an interview, Cavaness admitted to the rape and battery, according to court filings.
He is now charged with five counts of rape, a Class Y felony.
Each count of that felony carries a sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
He is also charged with one count of second-degree battery.
Cavaness is in custody on a $500,000 bond.
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