St. Charles man gets 4 years in prison in case linked to child sex-assault allegation

June 30--ST. CHARLES -- A man who faked his own death and gave in to blackmail threats so his live-in girlfriend wouldn't report sex-abuse allegations against him was sentenced today to four years in prison.

Raymond Avett, 46, pleaded guilty in St. Charles County Circuit Court to concealing a felony.

Jennifer L. Callaway coerced Avett into giving her his home, SUV, boat and life insurance last year in exchange for not reporting the alleged attack to authorities.

According to police, a relative of Callaway told her on May 27, 2013, about alleged abuse of a 6-year-old girl. The relative had discovered the girl's diary, which included an entry suggesting that Avett performed a sex act on her, police said.

Callaway called police to ask for help moving her belongings out of Avett's home in the 3000 block of Flatboat Station, but she never reported the abuse.

Three weeks later, police say Callaway sent Avett a text message indicating that she was going to be sending him a detailed document he needed to sign within 48 hours. If Avett agreed, Callaway said, it would keep her from reporting the sexual abuse allegations, police said.

Later that day, Callaway sent the document, which demanded that Avett give up his $120,000 condominium, his H3 Hummer and his boat. It also said that he must apply for an insurance policy that would benefit the girl, police said. Avett moved out of his home and Callaway moved in and changed the locks, police said. Avett also handed over the keys to his SUV.

The next day, June 18, Avett disappeared in what police said was an apparent attempt to fake his own death.

Avett left suicide notes at several locations and one of his vehicles was discovered abandoned in downtown St. Louis. He was found in July in Maryland when he was stopped by police.

Avett wasn't charged with a sex crime. By failing to report the alleged offense, Lohmar said Callaway took away his office's ability to properly investigate the case. He also said Callaway's actions would create credibility issues with her testimony.

Callaway pleaded guilty in January to concealing a felony and was given five years' probation. A judge gave her a four-year prison sentence but suspended its execution. Callaway had spent about 60 days in jail.

She was ordered to undergo psychological and alcohol abuse evaluation and obtain any treatment recommended, authorities said. She also must have no unsupervised contact with minors.

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