On 3/30/22 the Bates County Sheriff’s Office was made aware of an inappropriate sexual relationship between a school teacher and a juvenile student. On 3/31/22 the Bates County Sheriff’s Office along with the Butler Police Department took the teacher into custody when he arrived at the school after not finding him at his residence the day of the initial report. The Teacher, Chuck Reece had served as the FFA and Agriculture teacher for the Butler School District. After the investigation was complete Reece was initially charged with 3 counts of sexual contact with a student. Reece was later released on $50,000 Cash Bond. Several Days later 27 additional sexual related charges were filed by the Special Prosecutor Lynn Ewing. Reece was also charged in Henry County with similar charges.
After a change of venue to Cass County, Reece along with his legal council, changed his Not Guilty Plea to Guilty to several of the counts in regards to his illegal sexual relationship with his student. On May 22, 2023, Reece stood before a Judge and had to admit that he was guilty of multiple counts of Statutory Rape and Sexual Contact with a Student.
On August 17, 2023 Reece received his sentencing for the following offenses.
Count 1- Statutory Rape in the Second Degree, he received a 7 year sentence
Count 2 – Statutory Rape in the Second Degree, he received a 7 year sentence
Count 4 – Statutory Rape in the Second Degree, he received a 7 year sentence
Count 7 – Statutory Rape in the Second Degree, he received a 7 year sentence
Count 17 – Sexual Contact with a Student, he received a 4 year sentence
Count 27 – Sexual Contact with a Student, he received a 4 year sentence
Counts 1, 2, 4 and 7 will run concurrently with each other (which means all at the same time)
Counts 17 and 27 will run concurrently with each other but each group will run consecutively (which means one after another). Collectively Reece received an 11 year sentence. Reece will also have to register as a sex offender for life and can never be a teacher again.
There are a lot of questions about the “120 day” sentence. Reece received an 11 year sentence but the court retains jurisdiction under RSMo 559.115. Under this statute, once Reece is received by the Department of Corrections he will be placed in the Sex Offender Assessment Unit. If Reece completes all the required programs while in the Sex Offender Unit and receives a good report back to the court he will be eligible to be released from the Department of Corrections after 120 days of confinement. If he does not complete the program to the satisfaction of the courts then he will remain in custody of the Department of Corrections for up to the full 11 years. If at any time, Reece is released prior to the full 11 years, he will be under the supervision of the Missouri Probation and Parole. If he commits any other crimes during the next 11 years, the courts may return Reece to the Department of Corrections to finish the 11 years sentencing.
Special Prosecutor Lynn Ewing advised the court that he had worked with the victim and the victim’s family and they were prepared to move forward at trial but agreed to the terms of the Plea agreement. The victim felt that Justice was served and that she could begin the healing process and move forward with her life.
Reece still faces multiple charges in Henry County.
Source: Bates County Sheriff’s Office Facebook Page
