JOPLIN, Mo. — A Carthage man has been convicted of four felony sex offenses involving his 9-year-old stepdaughter following a three-day jury trial in Jasper County Circuit Court.
Kody James Clark-Mitchell, 34, was found guilty of one count of statutory rape in the first degree and three counts of statutory sodomy in the first degree, according to a Nov. 12 news release from Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney Theresa Kenney.
The case involved allegations that Clark-Mitchell sexually assaulted his stepdaughter during the spring of 2023, according to the prosecutor’s office.
The trial began Nov. 9 before Presiding Judge Dean Dankelson. The jury heard testimony from the child, her mother, a forensic interviewer, a nurse from the Children’s Center and Jasper County Deputy Jamison Cady, who investigated the case and interviewed Clark-Mitchell.
The defense called two forensic scientists from the Missouri State Highway Patrol laboratory, who testified that they did not find Clark-Mitchell’s DNA on evidence submitted by law enforcement, according to the prosecutor’s office.
During closing arguments, prosecutors argued that the child had no motive to lie and that her detailed account established the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The defense challenged the child’s credibility and argued that the lack of physical or scientific evidence was insufficient to support a conviction.
The jury returned its guilty verdicts at approximately 8:10 p.m. Nov. 10, according to the court docket. Jurors returned the following morning to determine punishment.
On Nov. 11, the jury assessed 18 years in prison on each of the four counts. The court accepted the punishment verdicts and discharged the jury, according to Case.net.
Clark-Mitchell remains in custody without bond. His formal sentencing hearing is scheduled for Jan. 25, 2027, at 1:30 p.m. before Judge Dankelson in Jasper County Circuit Court in Joplin. The court also ordered a sentencing assessment report from the Missouri Department of Corrections Board of Probation and Parole, according to the docket.
The case previously went to trial in June 2025, but ended in a mistrial after jurors reported they were deadlocked and could not reach a verdict. A second trial was eventually scheduled for November 2026, according to court records.
Clark-Mitchell was arrested April 13, 2023, according to a Jasper County Sheriff’s Office arrest report published by Carthage News Online. The arrest report listed allegations of child molestation, rape and sodomy.
Kenney and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Kurtis Droppa represented the state during the November trial.
In the news release, Kenney thanked the jury for its time and consideration of the evidence and praised the young victim for coming forward.
“These cases are difficult for everyone involved, but especially for the young girl who first found the courage to tell her mom, and then remained steadfast throughout the lengthy process of the criminal justice system. We are grateful for her courage and cooperation,” Kenney said.
