Trial begins for man accused of molesting children

FARMINGTON – A trial for a Farmington man accused of molesting four children will begin today in St. Francois County.

Jerry Rau, 34, of Farmington, has been charged with 15 counts of statutory sodomy, five counts of child molestation and seven counts of incest.

The trial is scheduled for four days before Circuit Court Judge Kenneth W. Pratte. Rau is being represented by the public defender’s office.

His wife, Amy Rau, was sentenced last year by Judge Pratte to two consecutive life terms for molesting two children. As part of her plea agreement, she agreed to testify truthfully against her husband who is accused of molesting the same boy and girl, as well as two other girls under the age of 12.

Sheriff Dan Bullock has said the investigation was initiated after one of the four children alleged to have been abused by the husband was taken to the Children’s Advocacy Center by a relative. The center then contacted authorities. The officers became involved in the case and worked with the center.

According to a probable cause statement, the children described a series of incidents in which they were sexually abused. The descriptions the children gave were, in most cases, very explicit as to what allegedly occurred.

Having observed numerous interviews with the children at the advocacy center, the investigators scheduled appointments to talk with Jerry and Amy Rau, but the couple failed to keep them. They learned the Raus were camping in St. Joe State Park and a deputy sheriff went there and picked them up.

The couple had a Farmington address, but officers indicated they had been staying in the park for at least several days. They are also former residents of Doe Run.

The couple also face unrelated drug charges which were filed in 2003.