FESTUS, Mo. (Oct. 7, 2025.) — A High Ridge man has been charged with two felony sex offenses, according to court documents filed by the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office on Oct. 3, 2025.

Joseph Thompson, age 55, of High Ridge, MO, is facing one count of first-degree child molestation and one count of first-degree statutory sodomy. The alleged incidents took place between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2016, in Festus while the female victim was between the ages of 6 and 11.

The graphic details in the Probable Cause Statement written by Festus Police Detectives stated Thompson would sleep with the victim, and while he thought she was asleep he would touch her privates. According to the statement, Thompson allegedly sexually molested the victim more than 100 times.

According to the felony complaint (PA File No. 099484155), Count I alleges that Thompson knowingly subjected a child, to sexual contact in violation of Missouri Revised Statute 566.067. This offense is classified as a Class B felony and is punishable under Section 558.011, RSMo. If convicted, Thompson would be subject to prison time plus lifetime supervision under Missouri law.

Count II charges Thompson with statutory sodomy in the first degree under Section 566.062, RSMo, alleging that the act was committed for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the defendant’s sexual desire. This offense also carries mandatory lifetime supervision.

An arrest warrant with a $50,000 bond has been issued today for Thompson.

The above charges are mere accusation and not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

Paul Barnard Editor

Paul Barnard is the editor of the Twin City News. Barnard Graduated from Norwich University, America's oldest private military college, with a B.S. in Communications and Media Technology. There he studied journalism and marketing. For years after, Barnard was in law enforcement and gained experience in the Special Investigations Unit and publishing all the department's press releases. As Barnard's family grew, he moved on to start Twin City News.

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