Two men, including former Missouri jail administrator, sentenced for child sex crimes
Two men, including a former Benton County jail administrator, were each sentenced to 20 years in prison for child sex crimes, according to the Platte County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Nicholas Murphy, a former jail administrator with the Benton County Sheriff’s Department, and Caleb Robert Morris of Holt County were both sentenced Wednesday.
The Platte County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office was appointed to handle both cases because of conflicts of interest.
“When our prosecutor colleagues have a conflict or need help, we stand ready and willing to assist,” prosecuting attorney Eric Zahnd said in a news release. “It’s vital that justice be done, particularly against criminals who prey on children.”
Murphy, who previously pleaded guilty to second-degree statutory sodomy, second-degree statutory rape and two counts of incest, sexually abused a family member who was a minor. He took the girl to New Mexico in 2018 for an abortion after he raped her.
Morris pleaded guilty to first-degree statutory sodomy and admitted to sexually abusing an 11-year-old girl. Because the victim was under 12 years old, Morris must serve at least 85% of his sentence in prison before he is eligible for parole.
