Former Franklin County Man Found Guilty of Rape, Sodomy

A former Franklin County man who authorities say performed sexual acts with a girl under the age of 12 was found guilty on three counts Friday.

A Franklin County jury found Michael B. Falkin, 47, guilty of child molestation, statutory sodomy and statutory rape, according to Franklin County Prosecutor Bob Parks.

The jury of seven men and five women returned with the guilty verdicts after 3 1/2 hours of deliberation beginning Friday after 3 p.m., Parks said.

He added that sentencing for Falkin is set for July 30.

Falkin, who now lives in the state of Kansas, was charged with child molestation, statutory sodomy and statutory rape.

Authorities allege that Falkin performed sexual acts with the victim between Jan. 1, 2005, and Dec. 26, 2008.

The state called eight witnesses to the stand, and there was testimony from two witnesses for the defense team, Parks said.

Among the state’s witnesses were the victim and a forensic interviewer with Children’s Advocacy Center of St. Louis.

The defense called the defendant and an expert witness to testify.