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Accused rapist denied bond

Posted 5/11/22

The rural Rocheport man charged with four counts of rape was denied bond last week. Jeremy James Cudney, 32, remains behind bars in the Howard County Jail. He was arrested on April 25 and charged …

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Accused rapist denied bond

Posted

The rural Rocheport man charged with four counts of rape was denied bond last week. Jeremy James Cudney, 32, remains behind bars in the Howard County Jail. He was arrested on April 25 and charged with four counts of first-degree rape or attempted rape, an unclassified felony.

Mr. Cudney appeared with his attorney, special public defender Stephen McKinley Concannon, before Judge Mason Gebhardt in Howard County court on Tuesday, May 3. Bond was denied. Online court records show that Mr. Cudney has out-of-state warrants as a fugitive. The court denied bond “finding that clear and convincing evidence is that the current conditions are the least restrictive to secure appearance and safety,” according to online docket entries.

Mr. Cudney is to return to court on Tuesday, May 24, for a preliminary hearing setting.

As reported in the May 4 Fayette Advertiser, Mr. Cudney is accused of raping his niece, a minor, while she was living with him. The alleged crimes took place in two residences in rural Rocheport in the southern portion of Howard County. He allegedly tied up the victim and drugged her with a muscle relaxer at least once.

When officers searched the locations where the alleged crimes took place, near the intersection of Highway 40 and County Road 433, they found ropes attached to the bedroom ceilings and walls, along with cyclobenzaprine, a muscle relaxer used to treat pain and stiffness caused by muscle spasms, according to a probable cause statement filed by Missouri State Technical Assistance Team (STAT).

Mr. Cudney’s wife, Cassandra Elaine Cudney, 32, also faces charges in connection with the alleged rapes. She faces two counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child - physical injury - sexual contact, both Class C felonies. She remains in jail on a cash or surety bond in the amount of $25,000. On April 26, she waived her right to formal arraignment and will appear back in court on May 24 for a preliminary hearing setting. She is represented by public defender Robert Fleming.

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