SPRINGFIELD, MO. — A federal jury has convicted an Emporia man of sexually assaulting a teenaged girl and a young child in Missouri.
The jury in Springfield, Mo., convicted 39-year-old Craig Ralston of one count of aggravated sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years of age and one count of crossing state lines with intent to commit rape. Deliberations took about seven hours before verdicts were rendered.
Federal prosecutors say Ralston met both victims, an 18-year-old and a 5-year-old, while attending a church in St. Roberts, Mo. Ralston, who was serving in the Army and was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood at the time, allegedly sexually abused the 5-year-old between early November 2003 and late May 2005.
Three years later, while living in Kansas City, Mo., authorities say Ralston raped the 18-year-old in both Missouri and Tennessee.
Ralston has been discharged from the military.
Ralston also pleaded no contest in 2009 to a Wyandotte County case involving two counts of aggravated indecent liberties against a 12-year-old.
A sentencing date is pending. Ralston is subject to life in federal prison without parole through sentencing guidelines outlined by Congress.
