Clayton, Mo. – A Missouri man accused of kidnapping two boys and holding one for more than four years was charged Monday with molesting them nearly 70 times.
The charges were the first time authorities have openly accused Michael Devlin of molesting the children.
Devlin, 41, was charged with 69 counts of forcible sodomy, all felonies and each punishable by up to life in prison.
St. Louis County prosecutor Robert McCulloch said 17 of the counts related to 13-year-old Ben Ownby, who disappeared Jan. 8, and the remaining counts were related to Shawn Hornbeck, now 15, abducted in 2002.
McCulloch said the evidence includes interviews with all of the people involved. “Devlin acknowledged committing these acts,” McCulloch said.
Both boys were found inside Devlin’s apartment in the St. Louis suburb of Kirkwood on Jan. 12.
Scott Sherman, a lawyer representing Shawn and his family, said Shawn is willing to testify if the case goes to trial.
“I think he’s committed to justice, as painful as it might be,” Sherman said.
Shawn was 11 when he vanished while riding his bike near his home. Ben disappeared after he got off the school bus in Beaufort on Jan. 8. A white pickup seen speeding away led police to Devlin, authorities said.
Authorities have said Devlin used a gun to threaten Shawn when he was abducted in 2002.
While it is The Associated Press’ policy not to identify alleged victims of sexual abuse in most cases, the story of Shawn and Ben has been publicized and their names are well-known.
Also, their families have gone public, conducting several media interviews.
