Man faces prison for exploiting a minor after meeting teen in Belleville to have sex

A Jefferson County, Missouri, man is facing at least 15 years in a federal prison after a jury found him guilty of meeting an underage girl in Belleville, taking her to a hotel and taking pictures of the two having sex.

Graphic images of the teenage girl taken by Earl G. Rice Jr., 63, were shown to the jury during a five-day trial at U.S. Court for the Southern District of Illinois in Benton. Jurors also saw surveillance footage from the hotel and heard testimony about DNA evidence connecting Rice to his crimes.

Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 27 before U.S. District Judge Staci Yandle. Enticement of a minor is punishable of between 15 years and life in prison, according to a release from the court. Travel with intent to engage in illicit sex is punishable for up to 30 years and sexual exploitation of a minor for between 15 and 30 years, the release stated.

According to the indictment and evidence presented during the trial, Rice chatted with the girl through an online dating app and quickly proposed meeting her in Belleville to have sex.

On Valentine’s Day of 2018, Rice arrived in Belleville with alcohol, condoms and a candle, met the girl and took her to an area hotel, court records alleged.

Belleville Police took Rice into custody at the hotel the next day. Images of the crimes were recovered from his cell phone and a forensic exam was performed, according to court records.

Illinois State Police and the FBI assisted in the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ali Burns and Karelia Rajagopal.

This story was originally published October 20, 2021 at 6:00 AM.