Independence man charged with sodomy

Jackson County prosecutors have charged an Independence man with two counts of first degree statutory sodomy in cases involving two area boys.

Prosecutors charged Jamie B. McPherson, 61, following an incident when the boys, ages 7 and 8, were spending the night at the suspect’s house, which is in the 4200 block of South Spring Street in Independence. Independence police investigated the incident, interviewing parents and several boys, some of whom routinely spent the night at McPherson’s house.

McPherson was being held on a $250,000 cash only bond in conjunction with the felony charges.

During a recent press conference, Jackson County Prosecutor Jim Kanatzar said pedophiles often offer to help families to gain access to their children. Often, the families they offer to help are struggling and single parents and the pedophiles offer to help care for the children.

McPherson, a former postal employee in Lexington, Mo., volunteered as a Boy Scout leader, but his affiliation with Scouts ended when scouting officials learned of the allegations.

Independence police, who are investigating the case, believe there are many other victims and are asking for the public’s help in identifying them. Call Detective Virgil Garner at 816-325-7330.