UPDATE: Karsten Brian Abbott, a 24-year-old from Ironton, has been charged with multiple counts of sexual assault, including two counts of statutory sodomy and three counts of child molestation. The charges stem from incidents reported to have occurred between December 6 and December 15, 2025, in Farmington.
Authorities confirmed that the victim detailed explicit encounters with Abbott during an interview conducted on December 23, 2025, at the Children’s Advocacy Center. The allegations involve three separate dates in December, raising serious concerns about the safety and well-being of minors in the area.
Abbott was taken into custody on December 28, 2025, with a bond set at $250,000. His release comes with strict conditions, including mandatory court appearances, pre-trial monitoring, and a prohibition on alcohol and controlled substances. Abbott must wear a GPS monitoring device at his own expense, maintain a safe distance from the victim’s residence and workplace, and avoid any contact with the victim or witnesses involved in the case.
The legal battle is just beginning, with an initial court appearance scheduled for February 5, 2026, before Judge Joseph Murray. Both the St. Francois County Prosecutor’s Office, led by Blake Dudley and Sarah Jackson, and Abbott’s attorney, Christopher Hartmann, are preparing for what could be a significant trial.
This story is ongoing, and updates will follow as more information becomes available. The local community is urged to stay informed as the case progresses, highlighting the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals from harm.
For further inquiries or updates, contact Lisa Brotherton-Barnes at [email protected].
