Suspect charged with child molestation

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A Maryville man has been charged with a single felony count of second-degree child molestation.

According to court documents, Jason Scott Langford, 43, was arrested after he allegedly touched a 10-year-old female inappropriately in his apartment on Sept. 20.

A probable cause statement filed by the investigating Maryville Public Safety officer stated that the girl, whose name was withheld, told her parents two days after the alleged incident that Langford had tickled her then touched her on or near her vagina.

The incident reportedly occurred when the girl and her mother were at Langford’s residence, and while the mother was using a computer with her back to the suspect and her daughter.

According to the statement, the mother told police she turned around and saw Langford tickling the girl around the armpits and torso then slapping her on the bottom.

The statement continued that the mother told police she grabbed her daughter and left, telling Langford he had “crossed a line.”

After being advised of his rights, Langford reportedly told officers he had “patted” the girl on the bottom and may have touched her “lower part” by accident.

According to the statement, Langford also wrote a letter of apology to the girl, which read: “I am sorry for touching you on the lower part. I can understand that it was not the right thing to do. I am very, very sorry for doing that to you.”

Prosecuting Attorney Robert Rice said Langford was being held in the Nodaway County jail pending arraignment on Tuesday.

If found guilty, he could be sentenced to between 5 and 15 years in state prison.