Trial reset for former pastor accused of statutory rape

MISSOURI
Lake News

Posted Jan. 6, 2016

Laclede County
After a mistrial in December, the trial of a California, Mo. man – accused of multiple counts of statutory rape and sodomy and one count each of forcible sodomy, forcible rape and sexual abuse from alleged incidents in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2005 – has been moved and rescheduled.

Travis R. Smith, a former pastor in the region, is reset to begin April 18, 2016, at the Laclede County Courthouse. He was arrested in 2012 by the Missouri State Highway Patrol with additional charges filed later in Moniteau County Circuit Court.

The charges stem from allegations made by two different women.

Smith’s trial had formerly gotten under way with jury selection on Dec. 7, 2015. The trial was cut short though when the defense attorney requested the mistrial.

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