A Mexico man pleaded guilty to and received a prison sentence for multiple sex charges and possession of child pornography, according to a news release from the Audrain County Prosecuting Attorney’s office.

Prosecuting Attorney Jacob Shellabarger's office said in the release that Randall Giboney, 55, of Mexico, pled guilty to sexual exploitation of a child, child molestation in the fourth degree and multiple counts of possession of child pornography for events leading to an arrest in June 2021. 

Giboney entered his pleas of guilty and “admitted he molested a female child, possessed child pornography, and created child pornography,” the release stated, at a plea hearing on Feb. 11 in the Circuit Court of Audrain County with Circuit Judge Richard Scheibe presiding. On April 7, Scheibe sentenced Giboney to serve 25 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. 

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jordan Duenckel, with the assistance of Shellabarger, led the charge to bring justice to these victims, the release stated. 

“Randall Giboney is a sexual predator who committed truly disgusting acts, both hands-on offenses and the possession and creation of reprehensible images of children,” Duenckel said in the release. “Child pornography is not a victimless crime. These images aren’t just pixels on a screen, they are people. Unsatisfied by images on the screen, Giboney turned his attention to a child in our community, his latest victim. For those committing these acts against children, our community must speak loudly: this will not be tolerated.”

Duenckel further stated that April is Child Abuse Awareness Month and “that means more than pinwheels and lapel pins. It means taking allegations seriously and taking action, mandated reporter or not. Those who cannot defend themselves need a community to stand for them and Audrain County is that community.” 

Shellabarger said this case took hundreds of hours of work from investigating officers including officers at Mexico Public Safety, forensic computer data analysts at the Boone County Cyber Crimes Task Force and other agencies.

“These officers went above and beyond to hold Giboney accountable for his crimes,” Shellabarger said in the release. “I could name each and every investigator that worked on this case as a relentless defender of children, and someone who helped save this child and others from continued exploitation. It is the team concept of experience, knowledge and combined resources allowed this case to be fully investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and allowing justice to prevail for this child and our state.” 

During sentencing, Giboney’s victim gave a victim impact statement in which “she defiantly stated that she is not a victim but a survivor,” the release stated. 

“Today, A.M.’s voice has been heard and will not be suppressed by Giboney anymore,” Duenckel said. “The message to Audrain County offenders is crystal clear: we will find you, we will thoroughly investigate your case, and you will be prosecuted fully, tirelessly, and without hesitation. Children are among the most vulnerable in our population and our office will continue our relentless pursuit of justice for heinous crimes like those perpetuated by predators like Giboney.” 

Giboney was convicted and sentenced in 2023 for additional federal crimes relating to child sexual abuse material.