Bleckler pleads guilty to amended charge of first-degree child molestation

FARMINGTON — Roy Lee Bleckler has pleaded guilty to one count of child molestation.

Bleckler, 51, of Bonne Terre, was in court Monday for a motion hearing but instead decided to plead guilty to an amended charge, one Class B felony of first-degree child molestation. He is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 5 before Circuit Court Judge Kenneth W. Pratte.

He had previously pleaded guilty to a statutory sodomy charge in April but he withdrew that plea in June.

His attorney, Cira Duffe, indicated the reason he withdrew the plea is because she wanted him considered for certain sex offender treatment programs. He could be sentenced up to 15 years in prison.

During his plea, Bleckler admitted to having sexual contact with a child under the age of 12 years old between July 2010 and September 2011.

According to court records, the investigation began when a local hospital contacted Park Hills Police about a girl who reported being molested by Roy Bleckler’s brother, Donald Bleckler.

The child’s mother said the girl had not been acting like herself a couple days after being around Donald Bleckler. The girl told her mother that Donald Bleckler had inappropriately touched her.

As a result of the investigation, police learned there were more victims and one child said she was molested by both Donald Bleckler and Roy Bleckler.

Donald Bleckler, 53, of Park Hills, still has state charges pending but has pleaded guilty to the federal child pornography charges and was sentenced to 55 years in prison.

In other cases, James H. Waller, 26,  of Bonne Terre, was sentenced to three years in prison for violating the probation he received for unlawful use of a weapon.

Elma L. Davis, 45, of Park Hills, was sentenced to four years in prison for violating the probation she received for DWI.

Dennis W. Harkins, 53, of Boss, was sentenced to seven years in prison for violating the probation he received for failure to return rented property. The judge will consider releasing him on a new term of probation after he completes a 120-day shock treatment program.

Patricia Counts, 32, of Cape Girardeau, was placed on five years of supervised probation for unlawful use of a weapon.

On Tuesday, Circuit Court Judge Sandy Martinez sentenced Jacob Bridgman to four years in prison for violating the probation he received for failure to pay child support.

Teresa Ressel is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-431-2010, ext. 179 or at tressel@dailyjournalonline.com.