Kevin Paul Coplin, 47, of Pevely has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for first-degree child molestation. A Jefferson County jury found him guilty of the class B felony, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years, on May 15, according to court documents.
Jefferson County Div. 1 Circuit Judge Joseph Rathert sentenced Coplin on Tuesday, Aug. 6, court records show.
Coplin had been charged in January 2023 with three counts of first-degree attempted sodomy; three counts of first-degree child molestation; and first-degree harassment, according to court documents.
The Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued the charges after the Herculaneum Police completed its investigation, court records show.
Two girls told investigators Coplin sexually abused them multiple times during a seven-year period. The girls were younger than 14, the case’s probable-cause statement said.
The alleged victims also said Coplin sent them a series of text messages on Dec. 16, 2021. One of the text messages said, “your guys (expletive) is going is going to kill me,” and another message said, “I loaded a gun, I can’t believe this (expletive) so I’m done because after stuff said like that if unforgivable,” the report said.
The probable-cause statement also said Coplin sent a message the same day threatening to sue the alleged victim.
Coplin allegedly told investigators he did not recall inappropriately touching one of the victims, and he said he did have a loaded gun and threatened to kill himself, the report said.
Jefferson County assistant prosecuting attorney Shannon O’Neal prosecuted the case.