Trials set in gang initiation case
FARMINGTON — All three individual’s trials have been set in connection with the molestation of children as part of a sort of gang initiation.
Mark A. Petteys’ jury trial has been set for Jan. 24-25 before Circuit Court Judge Kenneth W. Pratte in St. Francois County.
Petteys, 40, of Bonne Terre, has been charged with second-degree statutory sodomy; use of a child in sexual performance; incest; three counts of endangering the welfare of a child in ritual/ceremony; three counts of felonious restraint and sexual assault. His bond is set at $300,000.
Mitchell Rose, 43, of St. Louis, is charged with five counts of forcible sodomy-deviate sexual intercourse; two counts of forcible rape; and three counts of felonious restraint.
His trial is set for Dec. 12-13 before Circuit Court Judge Kenneth W. Pratte. His bond is set at $500,000.
In Washington County, Rose is also charged with nine counts of forcible sodomy; three counts of forcible rape; and two counts of use of a child in a sexual performance. That trial is scheduled Sept. 14-16 before Judge Sandy Martinez. His bond in that case was set at $250,000.
Regina Petteys, 39, of Bonne Terre, is charged with use of a child in a sexual performance, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child in a ritual or ceremony; and three counts of felonious restraint. Her trial has been scheduled for Sept. 27 before Judge Martinez.
Her bond is set at $250,000.
She is also charged in Washington County with one count of endangering the welfare of a child in a ritual/ceremony. That case is scheduled May 2 for a plea hearing or trial setting before Judge Martinez.
According to court records from the Washington County charges, in August of 2008, Rose told one of the victims that he was a “leader of a family that could offer her great protection from anyone.” He said the “family” was a place to feel needed and loved.
A victim told police that Rose spoke to her a long time pressuring her to join this family. She eventually agreed and afterward, Rose told her that the only way out of the family was death or to be killed.
After the victim agreed to join the family, she was led to a bedroom where she had to complete an initiation which included sexual intercourse. He said she “already knew too much” and had to go ahead with the initiation. Afterward, Rose threatened to kill her if she told anyone about what happened.
The St. Francois County charges were the result of an indictment so not much is known about the incidents that led to those charges. According to the indictments the crimes occurred in 2009 and 2010 and involved as many as four children.
The endangering the welfare of a child charges allege the Petteys committed those crimes by compelling a child to engage in sexual intercourse with another person as part of a ritual or ceremony, specifically gang initiation/punishment.
