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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- A Greene County jury convicted a man from Springfield for sexually abusing a teenage family friend. Ryan Patty, 33, could face a prison sentence up to seven years for second-degree statutory sodomy. The jury took 30 minutes to return a verdict after listening to testimony and attorneys’ arguments on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning.
Patty is convicted of having sexual contact with the victim, then 15 years old, in 2012. The defendant was a family friend to the victim's family at the time of the abuse.
The evidence showed Patty ingratiated himself into the victim's life by becoming the victim's confidante and a trusted authority figure to the victim. In April 2012, the defendant was supposed to drive the victim to school. Prior to taking her to school, he took her back to his bedroom and had sexual contact with her.
The evidence further showed that the victim told Patty that she was not ready to engage in any sexual contact and Patty continued to have sexual contact with her. Afterwards, Patty drove her to school, at which time the victim told school officials, who immediately reported the abuse.
Springfield police interviewed Patty and a detective says he confessed to having sexual contact with the girl. Further investigation showed the defendant's DNA was on the victim's face. The victim, now 16 years old, testified at the trial.
In addition to a prison sentence, Patty could also be fined up to $5,000 or receive some combination of fine and imprisonment. As a result of this conviction, He will have to register with the sex offender registry. Circuit Judge Holden set a sentencing date for April 12.