Bonne Terre man sentenced to seven years for possession of child pornography
Robert Rutherford-Sobol, 33, of Bonne Terre, was indicted on Jul. 17, 2025, with a felony count of possession of child pornography. On Jan. 9, he was sentenced to seven years in prison with the opportunity for parole consideration after the completion of a 120-day program with the Sex Offender Assessment Unit.
According to court records, during the defendant’s plea hearing on Nov. 14, 2025, he appeared in person with Counsel Assistant Public Defender Holly Kee. The State was represented by St. Francois County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jack Compton, with Judge Brice Sechrest presiding.
The defendant withdrew a previously entered not guilty plea and pleaded guilty under oath to one count of possession of child pornography, a Class D felony. The court found that the plea was made voluntarily and intelligently, with a full understanding of the defendant’s right to a jury trial and the consequences of waiving that right. The court accepted the guilty plea and ordered a sentencing assessment report.
At formal sentencing on Jan. 8, Judge Sechrest continued to preside, and the State was represented by St. Francois County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Shane Porter. The defendant again appeared in person with Kee.
The court ordered the defendant to serve a seven-year term in the Missouri Department of Corrections. The court also stated it intends to consider the defendant for probation after 120 days following delivery to the custody of the Sex Offender Assessment Unit. The court requested an evaluation report and recommendation after 90 days regarding the defendant’s behavior and assessment results.
If probation is granted, the defendant will be supervised on a sex offender caseload and must complete a mental health evaluation and follow all treatment recommendations, with costs assessed to the defendant.
Lisa Brotherton-Barnes is the editor for The Daily Journal and The Farmington Press staff writer. She can be reached at lbarnes@dailyjournalonline.com.
