Sexual assault charges dismissed against Joplin woman

Oct. 17 – A sodomy charge that a Joplin woman faced stemming from a reported incident at the Jasper County Jail was dismissed Thursday because the alleged victim failed to appear to testify against her at a preliminary hearing.

Jamie E. Hester, 36, was scheduled for trial in Jasper County Circuit Court on a charge of second-degree sodomy.

An affidavit filed with the prosecution cited a complaint filed in June by a female prison inmate who alleged that Hester made sexual advances toward her while they were playing cards in prison.

The other inmate reported that Hester touched her inappropriately against her will on two occasions.