This week, the Cole County grand jury handed down several indictments, finding there was enough evidence to send the cases on to the circuit courts for possible trial.
Among those indicted were:
• A Jefferson City man charged with multiple counts of sodomy and child molestation. James Weed Jr., 48, is charged with two counts of first-degree statutory sodomy, two counts of first-degree child molestation and one count of sexual misconduct.
A Cole County Sheriff's Department probable cause statement shows reports came into the department in May that Weed had committed sexual acts with a relative under the age of 12. The relative told authorities that Weed had said to not tell what had happened between the two of them.
It is believed the incidents occurred while Weed was babysitting. In an interview with authorities, Weed denied anything had happened.
Court records show Weed has previous convictions for distribution of a controlled substance in St. Louis County during June 1992 and distribution of a controlled substance in Cole County in November 2011.
• A Jefferson City woman charged with selling drugs near schools. Lenora Porter-Reed, 43, 711 Ohio St., is facing one count of distribution of a controlled substance near schools and delivery of an imitation controlled substance.
Court records show authorities used a confidential informant between May 1 and June 12 to purchase crack cocaine on multiple occasions from Porter-Reed. The purchase was made at Porter-Reed's residence, which is 2,000 feet from Southwest School on St. Mary's Boulevard.
When she was taken into custody, Porter-Reed said she had sold "crushed" muscle relaxers that she reported to be crack cocaine.
• A Jefferson City man charged in connection with a burglary that occurred in May. Otis Resonno, 29, of 5203 Veil of Tears Drive, is charged with one count of second-degree burglary.
A Cole County Sheriff's Department probable cause statement shows the burglary occurred at a residence in the 13500 block of Route H. About $3,100 in items were stolen from the residence. Entry was made through a screen window on the back side of the home.
While processing the scene, authorities removed eight sets of latent fingerprints from the exterior of the screen window and one of the prints matched Resonno's, according to the probable cause statement.
• A Jefferson City man charged with three counts of selling heroin in or near public housing. Deamon Hogue Jr., 33, of 410 Boonville Road, is accused of making the sales between June 1 and the end of July at 12 Jackson St., an apartment complex operated by the Jefferson City Housing Authority.
Hogue has been on probation for two counts of distribution of controlled substances and considered a persistent drug offender with three prior convictions for distribution of controlled substances - one in August 2000 and two in March 2013.
• A Jefferson City man charged with one count of first-degree child molestation and one count of first-degree statutory sodomy for an incident with a child under the age of 12. Court documents show Arthur Earl, 69, is believed to have committed the crime in July at a residence on East Miller Street. The mother of the child said Earl was the babysitter for the child.