A plea hearing was held March 9, 2026, at the Atchison County Courthouse in Rock Port, Missouri. Judge Robert L. Rice accepted a guilty plea from the defendant, James Richard Ball of Fairfax, Missouri, in a multi‑count felony case, resulting in a combined 15‑year prison sentence in the Missouri Department of Corrections. The plea hearing took place with the state represented by Prosecuting Attorney Dan Smith and the defendant appearing in person with defense attorney Kenneth C. Hensley.

During the hearing, defendant Ball entered a plea of guilty to Count 1 and Count 2. Judge Rice imposed the following sentences:

• Count 1 (Child Molestation-Second Degree-Aggravated Sexual Offense-Child Less Than 17 Years Old And Offender Greater Than 4 Years Older) – Eight years in the Department of Corrections. The defendant will be subject to lifetime supervision, and the court confirmed that the defendant was allowed allocution. The conviction does not require the defendant to serve 85% of the sentence.

• Count 2 (Sexual Abuse) –  Seven years in the Department of Corrections, executed, to be served consecutive to Count 1, resulting in a total of 15 years of imprisonment.

Related Case and Administrative Actions

As part of the plea agreement, the court dismissed case 25AT‑CR00087‑01 with prejudice, preventing future re‑filing of those charges. The Sentencing Assessment Report (SAR) was waived with the consent of the parties.

Additionally, the court rescinded a previously issued writ ad test for a witness identified as C.M., effective immediately. Because the defendant entered a guilty plea, the previously scheduled jury trial dates – set for March 11-13, 2026 before Judge Rice – were formally canceled. The defendant was advised of rights under Missouri Supreme Court Rule 24.035, which governs the procedure for post‑conviction relief following a guilty plea.