Local man gets life in prison for abusing children

A local man pleaded guilty Wednesday to six counts of statutory sodomy and agreed to six concurrent life sentences.

Daniel Pyburn, 45, of Morrisville, has been in the Greene County Jail longer than any other inmate, but he will soon be going to prison.

According to a news release from the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office, Pyburn sexually abused two children while Pyburn was living with their family in Springfield.

The release says Pyburn went by the alias “Maverick.” The family did not know his real name and was thus unaware that he was a registered sex offender in Texas for indecency with a child.

Court documents say Pyburn abused the two Springfield girls beginning when they were 7. He would lure the girls to his bedroom to play video games or watch a movie.

Because of his record, prosecutors charged Pyburn as a “predatory sexual offender.” That classification meant he would be subject to the life sentences if convicted.

The release says Pyburn agreed to plead guilty after prosecutors announced their intent — pursuant to recently passed legislation — to bring up Pyburn’s past sexual abuse at trial.

Pyburn also pleaded guilty to two counts of child molestation and agreed to life sentences on those counts, as well.

Pyburn entered an Alford plea on Wednesday, meaning he did not admit to committing the crimes but acknowledged prosecutors had enough evidence for a conviction.

In Missouri, a life sentence is 30 years. Pyburn will have to serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole, according to the release.

Pyburn has been in the Greene County Jail on April 16, 2012.