A Platte County man and his son have been charged with committing sex crimes against a victim less than 14-years-old.
The Platte County Prosecutor’s Office charged Darren Paden, 50, of Dearborn and his son, Anthony Paden, 25, formerly of Dearborn and now of Bellevue, Neb. with statutory sodomy in the first degree.
Felony statutory sodomy is a crime that carries a minimum sentence of 10 years, but is punishable up to a sentence of life in prison.
According to the probable cause statement, the victim was around the age of five-years-old when the acts of deviate sexual contact by Darren Paden occurred.
Court documents reveal that the young victim was exposed to pornography and was required to perform oral sex on Darren.
The sexual abuse occurred at least twice a month until the victim reached the age of 13-years-old, authorities allege.
The victim also allegedly suffered sexual abuse at the hands of Anthony Paden, who allegedly knew the victim was being sexually abused by Darren.
The victim alleges being sexually abused by Anthony during 2007. Anthony denies having sexual contact with the victim.
According to authorities, Darren Paden admitted to engaging in sex acts against the victim between 2001 through 2009.
The victim said the abuse stopped when she attended a class session at school put on by a school resource officer about sexual abuse where she learned the sexual acts against her were illegal.
Darren, who has been charged with two counts of statutory sodomy, is being represented by Attorney John O’Conner.
Despite counsel’s attempt to reduce Darren’s bond, set at $150,000 cash-only, the court rejected any amendment to the bond amount.
Darren posted the cash bond on Dec. 27 and is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 5 at 9 a.m. As a condition upon his release, the suspect is not to have any contact with anyone under the age of 18-years-old.
Anthony Paden is being represented by Counsel Al White. His request for a bond reduction was also denied. The court added a stipulation that the suspect is not to have contact with a person under age 18.
After posting the cash bond on Dec. 27, Anthony Paden is also scheduled to appear before Platte County Circuit Court Judge James Van Amburg on Feb. 5 at 9 a.m.