Show-Me State Times

U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp sentenced Theodore “Ted” John Sartori Sr., 64, to 10 years in prison for exchanging cash and other items of value for sex with a 14-year-old girl. Sartori provided cash, a car, a motorcycle, Christmas presents, and vacations to a friend from 2013-2016 in exchange for access to the victim.

The victim stated in court that Sartori’s crime has caused "life-long trauma, hopeless relationships," flashbacks, PTSD, and low self-esteem. Sartori pleaded guilty in August to a felony charge of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct and agreed to pay more than $25,000 in restitution.

Assistant Special Agent in Charge Chris Crocker of the FBI St. Louis Division said, "I applaud our investigators and prosecutors for bringing Ted Sartori to justice. We hope his 10-year prison sentence will bring some measure of closure to his victim." Crocker also emphasized the ongoing pursuit of co-defendant Donald Eugene Fields II, who is among the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives.

The FBI, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, and Missouri State Highway Patrol are seeking public assistance in locating Fields, 60. Indicted in 2022 but not yet arrested, the FBI offers a reward of up to $250,000 for information leading to his arrest.

Charges outlined in an indictment are accusations without proof of guilt; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The investigation was conducted by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI with help from the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Missouri State Technical Assistance Team. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dianna Edwards is prosecuting.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.

For more information on Project Safe Childhood visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.