Former Mormon missionary in Vegas indicted on child sex charges

Associated Press/December 18, 2003

Las Vegas -- A former Mormon missionary is due for arraignment Tuesday after he was indicted on felony sex assault and lewdness charges involving two young girls at a southern Nevada church.

John Misseldine, 21, of Little Rock, Ark., remained free after the indictment was unsealed Wednesday in Clark County District Court charging him with sexual assault of a minor under 14, and two counts of lewdness with a child under 14.

A judge set bail at $35,000. Misseldine could face 20 years to life in prison if convicted.

He is accused of sexually assaulting a 7-year-old girl and fondling the girl's 4-year-old sister while baby-sitting them during services May 3 at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stake in Las Vegas.

Misseldine's lawyer, Robert Draskovich, has said Misseldine is not guilty.

On Wednesday, he accused prosecutors of taking the case to a grand jury to avoid having witnesses cross-examined in a preliminary hearing.

Clark County prosecutor Becky Goettsch declined comment.