Taney County Prosecuting Attorney, Jeffrey M. Merrell announced today that ABRAHAM HERRERA, dob: 04/08/1988 of Calientes, Mexico was sentenced last Thursday by Taney County Circuit Judge Mark Orr to seven (7) years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for the offense of statutory sodomy in the first degree. Probation was denied.

For a period of approximately two years and while residing in the United States illegally, ABRAHAM HERRERA had a sexual relationship with a thirteen year old female from Hollister.  The sexual abuse was first disclosed by the victim to the pastor of her church during a weekend retreat.

The unclassified felony of statutory sodomy in the first degree has a range of punishment of not less than five (5) years imprisonment.  As statutory sodomy is considered a dangerous felony in the State of Missouri, ABRAHAM HERREA will have to serve a minimum eighty-five percent of his sentence.