A former deputy from Howell County has received a 50-year prison sentence for multiple offenses related to child sex abuse.
On Thursday, Nov. 7, Rob R. Pilkington, 57, received his sentence in Howell County following his conviction in August on multiple serious charges, including five counts of statutory sodomy, three counts of statutory rape, and one count related to the exploitation of a child in a sexual performance.
The Circuit Clerk’s Office in Butler County, which handled the case transferred from Howell County, announced that Pilkington received a five-year sentence for each of the seven counts of statutory sodomy or statutory rape, a 10-year sentence for an eighth count of statutory sodomy, and a five-year sentence for the charge related to sexual performance.
The sentences will be served one after the other, as stated by the Howell County prosecuting attorney’s office.
Allegations have emerged regarding Pilkington’s involvement with a minor in November 2021. During discussions with investigators, Pilkington acknowledged engaging in sexual contact with the victim. Pilkington subsequently entered a plea of not guilty regarding the allegations.
Pilkington served as a school resource officer at South Fork Elementary School in West Plains when the incident took place. However, school officials clarified that the event occurred outside of working hours and did not involve any students from South Fork.