BREAKING: An urgent update from Farmington, where Karsten Brian Abbott, a 24-year-old resident of Ironton, has been charged with multiple counts of sexual assault. Authorities confirm Abbott faces two counts of statutory sodomy and three counts of child molestation linked to incidents that occurred between December 6 and December 15, 2025.
Law enforcement officials report that an interview was conducted on December 23, 2025, at the Children’s Advocacy Center. During this session, the victim provided detailed accounts of the alleged sexual encounters with Abbott, which transpired on three separate occasions throughout December.
Abbott was taken into custody on December 28, 2025. A cash or surety bond of $250,000 was set, with stringent conditions imposed. These include mandatory court appearances, pre-trial monitoring, and the installation of a GPS monitoring device at his expense before release. He is also prohibited from possessing alcohol, controlled substances, or firearms, and must avoid any contact with the victim or witnesses involved in the case.
As of now, Abbott has posted bond and been released from custody. Criminal Justice Services has filed a compliance confirmation report indicating he will be monitored via GPS throughout the legal proceedings.
Judge Joseph Murray is overseeing the case, with representation provided by Attorney Christopher Hartmann for the defendant and St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney Blake Dudley along with Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Sarah Jackson representing the state. An initial court appearance is scheduled for February 5, 2026, where further developments are expected.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates as more information becomes available.
