Haji Gul Found Guilty of Sodomy, Sexual Misconduct in Assaults on Young Boys
May 24, 2024

Assaults Occurred in 2023 in St. Louis Hills



ST. LOUIS, MO (May 23, 2024) — Osmani Haji Gul, 35, was found guilty of assaulting two boys in separate incidents on July 16 and July 23, 2023, in the City’s St. Louis Hills neighborhood.


Beginning in the fall of 2022, Haji Gul roamed the area around Francis Park for several months, using it as a hunting ground for vulnerable children. One boy was attacked while riding his bicycle; the other was attacked after playing with his friends in Francis Park. Haji Gul is an Afghan refugee who moved to St. Louis with his wife and children in 2021.


A jury took three hours to find Haji Gul guilty of first-degree statutory sodomy, sexual misconduct involving a minor, and fourth-degree assault. Statutory sodomy carries a sentence of 10-30 years to life in prison. Sexual exploitation of a minor carries a sentence of up to four years in prison. Fourth-degree assault of a minor is punishable by up to one year in jail. Haji Gul waived jury sentencing and will be sentenced by a judge on August 19, 2024.


The case was prosecuted by Special Victim Unit Supervisor Jeremy Crowley and Assistant Circuit Attorney Robert Hollers.


“Haji Gul’s pattern of predatory behavior was an intolerable threat to the children of this community,” said Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore. “We applaud the courage of these young victims and their families in coming forward to assist in our prosecution.”  


    ###


For Immediate Release

For more information contact:

Amber Raub

Public Information Officer

St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office

rauba@stlouiscao.org

314-589-6233 (office)

314-312-9912 (cell)

More News

Seal of the St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office, with text:
October 28, 2025
Anwar Shands, 43, was convicted of first-degree murder and armed criminal action for the 2020 killing of his cousin Mallam Amir Tifah in St. Louis’ Lewis Place.
Seal of the Circuit Attorney for the City of St. Louis, Missouri.
October 20, 2025
Derrick Smith, 41, was sentenced to life in prison plus 10 years for the 2024 fatal shooting of his girlfriend, Norma Reano, in St. Louis’s Dutchtown neighborhood.
Seal of the Circuit Attorney for the City of St. Louis, Missouri, featuring state seal and text.
October 16, 2025
Judge sentenced Jeffrey Leslie, 47, to 25 years for a failed 2023 St. Louis robbery that left accomplice Alonzo Jones dead and another victim injured in Hyde Park.