A Mexico, Missouri man will be sentenced in June after being found guilty of 10 child sex crimes by a jury at the Audrain County Courthouse on Wednesday, Apr. 23, 2025.

According to a news release from the Audrain County Prosecutor’s Office, 43-year-old John Sidney Kelly Jr., was charged in the case with first-degree rape, first-degree child molestation, three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, and one count of second-degree statutory rape, fourth-degree child molestation, second-degree rape, and statutory sodomy of a person younger than 14 years old and third-degree child molestation.

He faces the the possibility being sentenced to two consecutive life sentences in prison.

He is currently being housed at the Audrain County Jail.

According to the news release, Kelly had sexually abused two children from 2012-2019.

The release states the jury determined Kelly is a predatory sex offender, indicating he had molested the victims on several occasions before it was reported.

Prosecuting Attorney Jacob Shellabarger and Special Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Scott Fox tried the case April 21-23, 2025.

“John Kelly, Jr.’s abuse of these survivors through a family that loved and trusted him caused great damage,” Shellabarger said.

“Kelly, Jr., took absolutely no responsibility for his crimes, repeatedly called the survivors liars, and showed no remorse in sexually abusing these girls, and used his position to abuse and harm them to keep them silent.

John Kelly divided a family and put both of these young girls in a position where they felt their whole world depended on keeping silent about what John Kelly, Jr. did.

Both survivors, now young women, testified to the jury.

They retold their decades of abuse, through sometimes graphic and always detailed testimony against him, recounting details children should never have to experience.

Most of us can’t imagine the kind of mental & physical pain and pressure that places on children, and how damaging it can be. ”

“Because of a jury’s verdict, these young women can grow and heal having told the truth about what John Kelly, Jr., did without carrying the crushing burden of secrets & shame this sex offender forced on them,” Shellabarger said.

“This jury delivered a firm, powerful message that when children are hurt in our community, that our community will hold the guilty accountable, protect the innocent and ensure a fair trial.

This case was difficult for jurors to listen to in that it was evidence of sexual abuse to young children, but I commend them for the focus, attention and resolve in seeing the case through to a just guilty verdict.

Justice has come for these survivors.”

“This case began because a community supported a victim – her friends and family encouraged her to come forward,” Special APA Scott Fox said.

“When she felt safe and protected, she told them gradually at first, then told more about what happened when she was heard and believed.

She thought no one would believe her – but ordinary folks and professionals alike in our community took her seriously, believed her and reported the abuse.”

“I also want to acknowledge the investigation done by the Mexico Public Safety Department, and their continuing support for victims in our community,” Shellabarger said.

“Public Safety’s investigators took these abuses seriously and found forensic evidence, including the DNA of John Kelly and one victim supporting the disclosure of sexual abuse.

The expert analysis and scientific evidence from the Missouri State Highway Patrol Crime Laboratory proved to be key to the jury holding John Kelly, Jr., accountable.”

“Victim care in this case has been provided by our local Victim Advocate, Leigh Thomas, who invested countless hours to making sure justice was done for these girls and young women and that they did not go into the courtroom alone, but surrounded by solid evidence and support.

Leigh’s tireless efforts made sure these young women were empowered to tell the truth about their abuse, testify at trial and confront their accuser, and feel the relief of knowing a jury validated the truth of their horrific abuse.”