Jefferson City man found guilty in rape case

A Jefferson City man has been found guilty in connection with a rape investigation from May 2017.

Shawndell Miller, 42, was found guilty following a bench trial before Cole County Presiding Judge Pat Joyce. Sentencing will take place at a later date.

Miller was found guilty of one count each of first-degree rape, first-degree sodomy and first-degree kidnapping, along with two counts of armed criminal action.

Officers responded to a residence in the 600 block of Belmont Street for a call of a possible intruder in the residence, according to police reports. When officers arrived, they said, Miller had fled the area.

The residents said he had entered the home and sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl. The victim reported the man she identified as Miller had pulled her out of her bed, threatened her with a handgun and forced her to another room in the house, where he raped her, according to a probable cause statement.

The victim said Miller then took her cellphone to prevent her from calling anyone.

After being located and arrested, Miller admitted to committing the assault, police said.

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