Following a week long trail at the Audrain County Courthouse, a jury found 36-year-old Gregory Saunier raped, molested and sodomized one girl, less than fifteen at the time, and molested and sodomized another girl who was less than twelve years old.

The guilty verdict was delivered by a jury of seven woman, and five men after about four hours of deliberations on Friday, Feb. 3, at the courthouse in Mexico. The jury also found Saulnier to be a Predatory Sex Offender, finding prior incidents of molestation had occurred with one of the victims. These crimes happened in Mexico happened between 2020 and 2021 in Mexico.

"This case began because one survivor spoke to a trusted coach, then to pastors at church," said Audrain County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jordan Smith. "When she felt safe and protected, she told them gradually at first, then told more about what happened when she was heard and believed, eventually disclosing all of the abuse. She thought no one would believe her – but ordinary folks and professionals alike in our community took her seriously, believed her and reported the abuse.”

Audrain County Prosecuting Attorney Jacob Shellabarger said “Gregory Saulnier’s abuse of these survivors through a family that loved and trusted him caused great damage,” Shellabarger said. “Saulnier took absolutely no responsibility for his crimes, repeatedly called the survivors liars, and showed no remorse in sexually abusing these girls, and used his position to abuse and harm them to keep them silent. Saulnier divided a family and put both of these young girls in a position where they felt their whole world depended on keeping silent about what Greg Saulnier did. One survivor testified, the other did not. Greg’s family all stood with him, believing their son “couldn’t have done this” despite the graphic and detailed testimony against him, recounting details children should never have to experience. Most of us can’t imagine the kind of mental & physical pain and pressure that places on a child, and how damaging it can be.”

Saulnier, who will be sentenced by Montgomery County Associate Circuit Judge Nathan Carroz on March 13, faces a minimum of two consecutive life sentences and a maximum term of two consecutive life sentences plus 150 years. Prosecuting Attorney Jacob Shellabarger, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jordan Smith, and Special Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Boone County Prosecutor Roger Johnson tried the case January 31 – February 3.