Taney County Prosecuting Attorney, Jeffrey M. Merrell announced today that ROBERT NELSON, dob: 7/2/1969 of Kissee Mills, Missouri was sentenced Wednesday by Christian County Judge John Waters to ten (10) years on each of two counts of child molestation in the first degree. Probation was denied and both counts are to run consecutive. On Friday, October 1, 2010, a 4-man, 8-woman jury returned a guilty verdict against ROBERT D. NELSON. Nelson was put on trial in Christian County on a change of venue for molesting a nine-year-old girl at his Taney County home in May of 2005.

The two counts of child molestation in the first degree had originally been part of an eight-count felony information, but the counts were severed by the Court. ROBERT D. NELSON still awaits trial on the remaining six counts, which involve two other alleged victims. Please be advised that the pending charges filed against the defendant ROBERT D. NELSON are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless prove guilty.