Patterson Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Each of 10 Counts

St. Francois Co., Mo. (KFMO) - A St. Francois County man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after being convicted of 10 felony counts stemming from the sexual abuse of his stepdaughter that began when she was nine years old.

On Monday, August 31, 2026, 67-year-old Jackie Patterson appeared before Judge Joseph Rathert for sentencing following his conviction by a St. Francois County jury.

Patterson was found guilty following a six-day trial that concluded June 23. The jury convicted him of two counts of Statutory Rape in the First Degree and eight counts of Statutory Sodomy in the First Degree.

According to the St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the charges stemmed from a series of sexual assaults committed against Patterson's nine-year-old stepdaughter beginning in 1995 and continuing for approximately 10 years.

The survivor, who was 37, came forward in 2023 to officially report the assaults.

The St. Francois County Sheriff's Department conducted an extensive investigation before submitting the case to the Prosecuting Attorney's Office.

During the trial, the survivor testified about the assaults and the lengthy and difficult process that led to her disclosure. Prosecutors also presented corroborating evidence, including testimony from third-party witnesses, writings made by the survivor near the time of the events, and a recorded telephone conversation between the survivor and Patterson.

The Prosecuting Attorney's Office said the survivor also endured a full day of cross-examination during the trial.

At Monday's sentencing hearing, First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Sarah Jackson argued that Patterson should receive life in prison on each of the 10 counts, with the sentences served consecutively. Jackson cited the nature and duration of the assaults and what she described as Patterson's lack of remorse.

The survivor also delivered an impact statement to the court.

Judge Rathert ultimately sentenced Patterson to 25 years in prison on each of the 10 counts, with all sentences to run concurrently.