Hartville man charged with rape of 14-year-old, burglary

WRIGHT COUNTY, Mo. — A man from Hartville is in Wright County Jail after being accused of breaking into an old gym and raping a 14-year-old girl.

Randy Liles Jr. is charged with second-degree rape, first-degree burglary and fourth-degree child molestation, according to online court records.

According to the probable cause statement, the victim reported a sexual assault incident to the Wright County Sheriff’s Office involving Liles.

She told deputies that Liles took her inside a fitness center in Hartville that was no longer in business. They went upstairs and made out, but Liles pressured her into taking her clothes off and participating in sexual intercourse.

In a post-Miranda rights interview, Liles told law enforcement he took the victim into the old gym to have sexual intercourse with her and knew that the victim was 14 years old. Court documents say Liles is four years older than the victim.

The business owner of the fitness center told law enforcement that Liles did not have permission to enter the building.

Liles’ has a bond hearing scheduled for September 11, 2024, at 9 a.m. He is currently being held on a $25,000 cash bond.

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