Ray pleads guilty to statutory sodomy, molestation charges

A Marshall man charged with 20 counts of statutory sodomy and child molestation entered a guilty plea Tuesday, Aug. 31, on 10 of those counts, according to a news release from Saline County Prosecuting Attorney Don Stouffer.

By entering the plea, Clifford J. Ray, 45, avoided a jury trial that was scheduled to begin Wednesday, Oct. 27.

Ray was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Dennis Rolf to the sentence recommended by Stouffer: 20 years in the Department of Corrections on each of four charges of first degree statutory sodomy, 15 years in DOC on each of two charges of first degree child molestation, seven years in DOC on each of two charges of first degree child molestation and seven years in DOC on each of two charges of second degree statutory sodomy.

All sentences will be served at the same time, Stouffer said.

"I believe these sentences are appropriate punishment for the despicable acts of this defendant," he said.

Stouffer told the court the sentences were "designed to make clear to the public and the parole board that these children were very young when the molestation began, and that Ray's sexual assaults continued through much of their childhood."

Stouffer said the children were reluctant to assist the prosecution, but he noted that it is not unusual for children to recant part or all of their statements, and to be reluctant to cooperate with prosecution of a person who is a family member or trusted family friend.

"After a report is made, children are almost always surrounded by supporters of the defendant, often including the victim's own mother, close family members and friends, all of whom cannot believe that the person they knew for many years as a generous, often deeply religious and caring friend, committed despicable acts involving sexual assaults against very young children," Stouffer said in the news release.

The molestation began when the children were 8 years old and continued until they disclosed the abuse to a relative in July 2009, Stouffer said.

He said child sexual assault cases can depend on what happens during the first few days of the investigation. He praised Richard Miller, Saline County sheriff's deputy, and Beth Jackman, forensic interviewer with Child Safe of Central Missouri, who both were crucial in the outcome of the case.

Stouffer said Miller's approach to the investigation was honest and non-confrontational, in contrast to the image many people have of law enforcement interrogations. He said people may base their expectations on courtroom or police dramas, believing that defendants only confess after long, arduous questioning involving trickery and deceit.

"Like the expectation of DNA and fingerprints in every case, that view is pure Hollywood," Stouffer said. "It makes great television, but most often, the defendant admits his guilt when the investigating officer approaches the defendant in an honest manner."

Contact Eric Crump at ecrump@marshallnews.com

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Marshall man charged with 20 counts of child molestation, statutory sodomy:
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