XPost: stl.general, alt.politics.nationalism.black, alt.politics.homosexuality   
   XPost: sac.politics   
   From: noreply@dirge.harmsk.com   
      
   ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Riverview Mayor Mike Cornell was charged with   
   several sex crimes including the sex abuse of a child Thursday.   
      
   In a press conference, St. Louis County police and the prosecuting   
   attorney's office said the known crimes began in 2016 and involved four   
   victims.   
      
   Cornell is charged with the following:   
      
   4 counts of 2nd-degree statutory sodomy;   
   3 counts of 1st degree sodomy or attempted sodomy;   
   1 count of 1st-degree harassment;   
   and 1 count of possession of child pornography - film/videotape.   
   Cornell was arrested Thursday. He is held on a $1 million, cash-only   
   bond.   
      
   RELATED: Police search home of Riverview Mayor Mike Cornell amid active   
   investigation   
      
   According to charging documents, the child sex abuse charges stem from   
   incidents happening between 2016-2017. The four counts of 2nd-degree   
   statutory sodomy come from repeated sexual contact police said Cornell   
   had with a child less than 17 years old.   
      
   During that same time period, police said he also sexually abused an   
   adult male victim.   
      
   The charging documents said Cornell's third victim, an adult male, was   
   sexually abused in December 2025.   
      
   Prosecutors said a fourth victim was harassed in May and September 2024.   
   Police said Cornell made sexually explicit comments about sexual acts   
   and engaged in "emotionally distressing" physical contact.   
      
   "To every victim, we recognize it is easy for us to say this, as we have   
   not lived your experiences, we have not walked in your shoes. But we   
   want you to know that there is no shame in the crimes that were   
   perpetrated against you. The only person that should feel shame in this   
   situation is Mr. Cornell," St. Louis County Assistant Prosecutor Portia   
   Britt said.   
      
   Police also said Cornell was in possession of a video containing child   
   sexual abuse material.   
      
   "In these types of cases with this type of behavior, based on the   
   victims that we've talked to, it's possible that this is a predatory   
   type of behavior. And we're concerned that if he was willing to do it to   
   a minor, there may be other minors that we're just not aware of," St.   
   Louis County Police Lieutenant Colonel Jerry Lohr said.   
      
   The charges come nearly two weeks after the mayor's home was searched by   
   law enforcement. At that time, police said they had detectives on scene   
   as "part of an active investigation" but did not give further details. A   
   5 On Your Side crew saw officers entering the home and exiting with   
   unknown materials.   
      
   Cornell served as Riverview's first African-American Trustee before   
   becoming Chairman in 2023. He has served as Mayor for more than a year.   
      
   It's unclear who will replace Cornell as the City of Riverview's Mayor.   
   All requests for comment from city officials were not returned.   
      
   County police said there may be more victims, given Cornell's position   
   of power.   
      
   "It ruins the trust that the public has placed in us. And situations   
   like this, unfortunately, tear down that fabric of trust. And it is   
   disturbing, it is unfortunate, and once again, we will have to rebuild   
   that trust with those people that we serve," Lt. Col. Lohr said.   
      
   They are encouraging any more victims and anyone with information to   
   call detectives at 314-615-5400.   
      
   Thursday, 5 On Your Side reached out to the City of Riverview on what   
   the charges and arrest mean for the city's government and Cornell's   
   position. As of Thursday night, the City has not yet responded.   
      
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   https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/crime/riverview-mayor-charged-with-sex-   
   crimes-including-possession-of-child-sex-abuse-material/63-2b346f3a-f139-   
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