June 10th, 2026 Local News
St. Francois Co., Mo. (KFMO) - A St. Francois County man has been sentenced to life in prison following his conviction in a child sexual assault case.
Circuit Judge Brice Sechrest on Friday, June 5, 2026, sentenced 51-year-old David Abernathy to life in prison after Abernathy previously pleaded guilty on March 27 to Statutory Sodomy involving a child under the age of 12.
According to court records, the case began in August of 2024 when a 10-year-old girl, identified as the daughter of Abernathy’s girlfriend, told a family friend that she had been sexually assaulted over a period of several months. In a follow-up interview, investigators say the child provided a detailed account of the abuse.
Formal charges were filed in September of 2024.
While awaiting trial in jail, Abernathy was also charged with Tampering with a Victim after authorities say he used recorded jail phone calls in an attempt to persuade the child’s mother to have the victim recant her allegations. That effort was unsuccessful.
Prosecutors say the State agreed to dismiss multiple additional counts in exchange for Abernathy’s guilty plea to a single count of Statutory Sodomy, noting that the charge carried a possible sentence of life in prison.
During his plea hearing, Abernathy acknowledged responsibility in open court. However, in the weeks following his plea, court documents show he sent multiple letters to the judge denying responsibility, blaming witnesses, and criticizing his legal representation.
At sentencing, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Sarah Jackson argued strongly for a life sentence, with the victim seated in the courtroom behind her. Judge Sechrest ultimately found Abernathy’s post-plea claims lacked credibility and granted the State’s request, imposing a life sentence in prison.