Probation for Rape/Sodomy of Boy - Updated

(St. Charles, Missouri) For conviction on three counts of statutory rape, four counts of statutory sodomy and 10 counts of supplying liquor to a minor, 37-year-old Melanie D. Hunt was sentenced yesterday to five years of probation.

Hunt was also fined $500 for misdemeanor supplying liquor to a minor charges.

No information has been provided regarding registration as a sex offender. Since Hunt is guilty of rape and sodomy of a juvenile, sex offender registration should be considered.

In any event, I contend that Hunt is walking away with a wrist slap.

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Missouri Woman Guilty of Sex/Alcohol Crimes
[Previous 8/14/09 post]
(St. Charles, Missouri) A 37-year-old O'Fallon woman, Melanie D. Hunt, pleaded guilty today before Judge Lucy Rauch to a raft of charges stemming from liquoring up male minors and having sex with a 14-year-old boy.

Hunt was convicted of three counts of statutory rape, four counts of statutory sodomy and 10 counts of supplying liquor to a minor.

Circuit Judge Lucy Rauch fined Hunt a total of $500 for the misdemeanor charges as part of a plea agreement reached by prosecutors and defense attorneys. The misdemeanors dealt with several teenagers who received beer and liquor from Hunt between January and July of 2008.

The same plea agreement likely will result in five years of probation for Hunt. Formal sentencing for the felony counts was delayed until Aug. 24 so the victim could give a statement, attorneys said.

Since the maximum sentence for convictions of felony rape and sodomy is 59 years, it's not clear why no jail or prison time is expected for Melanie Hunt. It's understandable that a plea agreement was sought to avoid having the youths testify, but the number and seriousness of the crimes should have warranted some prison time.

In summary, Melanie D. Hunt pleaded guilty to multiple sex and alcohol crimes and it appears that she will only be required to pay a $500 fine.