The latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Heartland

KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- A local judge found a sex crimes suspect not guilty of the charges against him.

Adair County Circuit Judge Russell Steele handed down his verdict Friday afternoon in the bench trial of Marlin Wenger, 38, of Edina.

Wenger had been charged with two sex crimes in connection with an alleged incident involving an underage girl.    

Judge Steele found the defendant not guilty on both of those charges.

Wenger was arrested during an investigation by the Edina Police Department.

He is now a free man.

The case was heard in Adair County on a change of venue from Knox County.