Shell Knob man arrested for alleged child molestation
Bastura
December 9, 2015
Charlea Mills
A Shell Knob man is in custody for allegedly molesting a child for six years. Richard Henry Bastura, 63, is being charged with statutory sodomy in the first degree, child molestation in the first degree and endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree, all three felony charges. The Shell Knob School District confirmed that Bastura was a substitute bus driver for the district.
Barry County Sheriff Mick Epperly said, “There possibly may be other children involved.”
Epperly said that he was arrested while on a mail route. He stated, “He was on a mail route when we arrested hi, helping a person deliver mail on 76 Highway.”
Bastura has been interviewed by the Sheriff’s Department, he has been uncooperative, according to Epperly.
In an affidavit of probably cause written by Barry County Sheriff’s Officer Terry Meek, Bastura molested a girl at two different Shell Knob homes between January 1, 2009, and November 22, 2015. The abuse began when the child was eight and continued until after she turned 14. According to Meek’s report, Bastura touched the child in sexual areas as well as instructing her to touch him in an inappropriate sexual manner.
Barry County Judge Johnnie Cox issued the warrant for Bastura’s arrest on December 4, and he is currently being held in the Barry County Jail in lieu of a $30,000 cash-only bond.
Charlea Mills
A Shell Knob man is in custody for allegedly molesting a child for six years. Richard Henry Bastura, 63, is being charged with statutory sodomy in the first degree, child molestation in the first degree and endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree, all three felony charges. The Shell Knob School District confirmed that Bastura was a substitute bus driver for the district.
Barry County Sheriff Mick Epperly said, “There possibly may be other children involved.”
Epperly said that he was arrested while on a mail route. He stated, “He was on a mail route when we arrested hi, helping a person deliver mail on 76 Highway.”
Bastura has been interviewed by the Sheriff’s Department, he has been uncooperative, according to Epperly.
In an affidavit of probably cause written by Barry County Sheriff’s Officer Terry Meek, Bastura molested a girl at two different Shell Knob homes between January 1, 2009, and November 22, 2015. The abuse began when the child was eight and continued until after she turned 14. According to Meek’s report, Bastura touched the child in sexual areas as well as instructing her to touch him in an inappropriate sexual manner.
Barry County Judge Johnnie Cox issued the warrant for Bastura’s arrest on December 4, and he is currently being held in the Barry County Jail in lieu of a $30,000 cash-only bond.
