Maries County Sheriff Chris Heitman said Monday that since the alleged child molestation case against Michael D. Tungate, 32, of Belle, was made public, other possible victims have come …
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Maries County Sheriff Chris Heitman said Monday that since the alleged child molestation case against Michael D. Tungate, 32, of Belle, was made public, other possible victims have come forward.
“Since the investigation involving Tungate has come to light, other possible victims or family members of possible victims have come forward,” Heitman said in his official statement to The Maries County Advocate and The Gasconade County Republican.
Heitman said his office is often questioned about why they release information about people who are arrested and the charged filed against them.
“One, I feel the public has a right to know,” Heitman said. “It’s public information, and because other victims may feel safer to come forward with the suspect being in jail.”
The sheriff’s office did not release how many more possible victims have stepped forward, citing an ongoing, active investigation.
However, Heitman did confirm Tungate has not been charged with any crimes against the 24-year-old Belle woman involved with the case. Nor has the woman been charged with any crimes.
Tungate is charged in Maries County with five felonies related to the alleged sexual abuse, drugging, and kidnapping of a 12-year-old boy. He remains jailed in Vienna, unable to post a $500,000 cash or surety bond set during an Aug. 25 court hearing. He was appointed a public defender in a hearing Tuesday. His preliminary hearing is Sept. 29.
