Edina Man Arrested on Statutory Sodomy Charges

Edina Man Arrested on Statutory Sodomy Charges

By Crystal Howerton

The Edina Police Department reports the arrest of Marlin “Sparky” Wenger, DOB 10-16-1972, of Edina, MO October 8, 2008 on charges of second-degree statutory sodomy, a Class C felony.

According to a felony complaint filed in the Knox County Circuit Court Associate Division on October 6, 2008, Wenger, being more than 21 years of age, had deviate sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 17, at his home in Edina on September 28, 2008 at approximately 9:00 p.m.

Wenger was arrested on a $5,000 cash only bond of which 10%, or $500 cash, was paid upon his release. A warrant was issued for Wenger’s arrest following an investigation by the Edina Police Department, in which interviews were conducted, and hospital examination reports and sworn statements were collected.

Wenger was scheduled for arraignment in Knox County Circuit Court on Tuesday morning, October 3, 2008 at 10:00 a.m.

“This situation is something we rarely deal with locally,” stated Edina Police Chief Roger Waibel. “Not because it does not occur, but because often times it is not reported. We are taking this investigation very seriously, and encourage anyone with knowledge of this or other cases of sexual abuse to come forward.”