Springfield man charged with child sex crimes

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — A man from Springfield has been charged with several felony child sex crimes, including statutory sodomy and child molestation.

According to court dockets, James Bass, born 1955, is charged with one count of first-degree sodomy; three counts of second-degree statutory sodomy; two counts of fourth-degree child molestation; unlawful possession of a firearm; misdemeanor furnish pornographic material or attempt to furnish to a minor; and misdemeanor fourth-degree assault.

The probable cause statement says on Saturday, July 12, the Springfield Police Department (SPD) received a call from a witness regarding a minor who had been sexually assaulted by Bass at the Homestead Acres Mobile Home Park on W. Chestnut Expressway.

The witness told an officer that she was driving through the mobile home park when she observed the 16-year-old victim outside of Bass' trailer. The victim appeared to be scared and "it did not seem right that she was there," the statement says.

The victim told police that in the two weeks leading up to July 12, Bass had been progressively committing sexual assaults against her, according to the statement.

The Child Advocacy Center interviewed the victim on Thursday, July 17, and she recounted the alleged sexual assaults in detail during that interview.

On Thursday, the SPD conducted a search warrant at Bass' residence and located several evidentiary items that were used during the assaults.

The SPD also conducted an interview with Bass, who admitted to the assaults in detail and said he was sorry to the victim.

Bass is currently being held in the Greene County Jail without bond.