Mo. Rev. Stat. § 567.030: Patronizing prostitution — penalty.

1. A person commits the offense of patronizing prostitution if he or she:

(1) Pursuant to a prior understanding, gives something of value to another person as compensation for having engaged in sexual conduct with any person; or

(2) Gives or agrees to give something of value to another person with the understanding that such person or another person will engage in sexual conduct with any person; or

(3) Solicits or requests another person to engage in sexual conduct with any person in return for something of value.

2. It shall not be a defense that the person believed that the individual he or she patronized for prostitution was eighteen years of age or older.

3. The offense of patronizing prostitution is a class E felony, unless the individual who the person patronizes is less than eighteen years of age but older than fifteen years of age, in which case patronizing prostitution is a class D felony.

4. The offense of patronizing prostitution is a class B felony if the individual who the person patronizes is fifteen years of age or younger. Nothing in this section shall preclude the prosecution of an individual for the offenses of:

(1) Statutory rape in the first degree pursuant to section 566.032;

(2) Statutory rape in the second degree pursuant to section 566.034;

(3) Statutory sodomy in the first degree pursuant to section 566.062; or

(4) Statutory sodomy in the second degree pursuant to section 566.064.