The first-degree murder trial of Christopher Jorgensen, 30, of Ava, is set to go to a jury trial in Clinton next week. Jorgensen is one of five people charged in the murder of Kenny Stout, 17, of Ava, in December 2011. Based on a change of venue filed by Jorgensen’s…
The Missouri State Highway Patrol made two arrests during the past week in Douglas County. On Feb. 10, at 4:16 a.m., Jeffrey S. Holmes, 25, of Springfield, was arrested on an outstanding West Plains Police Department warrant for driving while suspended, and was also issued a summons for driving while…
Two people were sentenced to prison terms in Douglas County Circuit Court on Tuesday. Sentenced by Circuit Judge Craig Carter were Shane W. Barbrow, 35, of Ava, and Kenneth W. Roberts, 58, also of Ava. Barbrow was sentenced to six years in prison for 2nd degree assault. The offense occurred…
SPRINGFIELD – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Cabool, Mo., man was charged in federal court today with enticing a 14-year-old girl to engage in illicit sex. Scott Dwayne Baker, 45, of Cabool, was charged in a federal criminal complaint filed in…
KANSAS CITY – Tammy Dickinson has taken the oath of office to become the United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri. Dickinson was nominated by President Obama in July 2012 and confirmed by unanimous consent of the U.S. Senate on Jan. 1, 2013. She took the oath of…
Three offenders were sentenced to prison terms by 44th Circuit Judge Craig Carter on Tuesday. According to information released by Prosecuting Attorney Roger Wall, Lloyd D. Perryman Jr., 31, of Ava, was sentenced to five years in prison for 2nd-degree robbery. The offense occurred on Nov. 9, 2012, and was…
One word of advice: if you have drugs in the car, don’t do anything suspicious. Local law enforcement officers were recently alerted to a drive-off without paying at a local convenience store as well as possible stealing from a local business. On Jan. 3, Sheriff Chris Degase and Deputy Nathan…
Indictments Remain Sealed Until Warrants are Served A grand jury empaneled in late November by Circuit Judge John Moody returned 24 indictments, it was revealed last week. The grand jury was requested by Douglas County Prosecuting Attorney Roger Wall. On Nov. 30, the grand jury was sworn and received testimony…
During 2012, five felony trials were tried and concluded with convictions. The convictions are as follows: conspiracy to distribute narcotics; child molestation, 7-year sentence to the Department of Corrections; unlawful use of weapon, 4-year sentence to the Department of Corrections; auto tampering, 5-year sentence to the Department of Corrections; and…
On Tuesday, Oct. 2, during Law Day, Judge John Moody sentenced the following people to the Department of Corrections: Roderick Hebert, 44, of Springfield, Ill., was sentenced to 5 years in prison for passing bad checks after Hebert violated his probation based on violation reports from Probation and Parole. The…
In the early morning hours of Thursday, Aug. 23, officers from multiple state, county, and city law enforcement agencies concluded a series of long-term narcotics investigations in Texas County. Over the course of approximately three years, officers with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the South Central Drug Task Force, Texas…
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – David M. Ketchmark, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a former Ozark, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to an investment fraud scheme that targeted the retirement savings of senior citizens. Steven Edward Gwin, 68, formerly of Ozark, pleaded…
SPRINGFIELD – David M. Ketchmark, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced last Thursday that an Ava, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court for receiving child pornography over the Internet. David Hicks, 38, of Ava, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr to…
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office received a report at 7 o’clock Tuesday morning of a break-in at Mom and Pop’s Liquor Store south of Ava. Upon arrival, officers found the glass had been broken on the front door and there was a significant amount of blood on the glass and…
Stolen Items Recovered from Break-Ins The Ava Police Department reported this week that a third person has now been charged in connection with a drug bust executed last weekend in Ava. On Friday, June 22, the Ava Police Department was called to a residence in the 400 block of NW…
Anna Moreland Is Wanted Felon On Wednesday, June 6, Casey Stephens, formerly employed by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department as a dispatcher and jailer, pleaded guilty to one count of a 2011 grand jury indictment admitting to conspiracy to steal controlled substances from the Sheriff’s Department for events occurring in…
Springfield Police have reported that an Ava man is charged with leading officers on a chase and with carjacking in Springfield over the weekend. Jimmy Hayes, whose age is listed as 32, is said to have run from Ozark Police after they tried to stop him on a suspected DWI…
The Southern District Court of Appeals has affirmed the first-degree murder convictions of Elvis Volner and Benny Volner. Elvis, of Cabool, and Benny, of Mtn. Grove, were convicted of murdering Dustin Skaggs, of Ava, in 2008. Dustin Skaggs went missing in the early morning hours of February 10, 2008 after…
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Department responded to a domestic disturbance Tuesday that resulted in the arrest of an Ava man on numerous charges. Deputy Brad Loveless responded to the call on County Road 246. Upon arrival, he arrested Anthony Dean Maggard, 41, of Ava, and placed him on a 24-hour…
Martin Sevrey, 70, of Ava, was back in court Monday, requesting a modification in the bond that has kept him locked up since his arrest on April 27. Associate Circuit Judge Craig Carter let Sevrey’s attorney Chris Swatosh and Prosecuting Attorney Roger Wall work out a compromise that was agreeable…
On Tuesday, May 1, after an hour and 20 minutes deliberation, a Douglas County jury convicted Marvin D. Burke II, age 43, of rural Mtn. Grove, for the Class B felony of child molestation. The charge was the result of a Douglas County grand jury indictment issued June 28, 2011,…
An Ava doctor was arrested last Friday night and charged with domestic assault following an incident at the couple’s home east of Ava. Court records show Martin R. Sevrey, 70, is charged with domestic assault in the first degree and a second count of felonious restraint. Sevrey was arraigned in…
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office was called to a dispute between neighbors that resulted in the arrest of one individual. On March 30, Deputy Nathan Long was dispatched to a location on Douglas County Road 525 for a dispute between neighbors. Upon arrival, Deputy Long met Kim A. Vaverka, 53 of…
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office arrested Lisa D. Cornett, 45, of Ava on March 27, and charged her with one count of felony stealing over $500. The arrest came after the owners of Double Eagle Aggregates became suspicious money was missing from their business and contacted Sgt. Vernon Johnson of the…
Douglas County Sheriff Chris Degase said Wednesday that a reward has now been offered for information into the stealing of a pickup and damage done at Crystal Lake Fisheries on March 28. Degase said the reward is offered for the arrest and conviction of persons responsible for the theft of…
A former associate pastor at Life Church, in Ava, was arraigned last Friday for stealing from the church. Christopher M. Gasek, 34, formerly of Ava, now living in the Waynesville area, is charged with forgery, a Class C felony; and Class C felony stealing. According to the complaint filed with…
On March 3, at 5:35 p.m., a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper and members of the South Central Drug Task Force initiated a traffic enforcement stop on U.S. Highway 60 west of Cabool. The vehicle, a 2004 Ford F-150, was occupied by two male subjects. The driver and passenger exhibited…
March 11, 12:14 a.m., NW 12th Ave., traffic stop. Warning issued for brake light. March 11, 3:39 p.m., W. Hwy. 14, traffic stop. Citation issued for C&I driving. March 12, 12:36 a.m., Highway 5, Traffic stop. Citation issued for stop light violation. March 12, 9:18 a.m., 400 block NE 5th…
Nathan Jensen, 26, of Seymour, was back in court here last Friday for a preliminary hearing in the murder of Kenny Stout, 17. Prosecuting Attorney Roger Wall called nine witnesses during the 3½-hour hearing. At the conclusion, Judge Lynette Veenstra of Wright County, assigned to hear the case, found that…
Ava Police, with assistance from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol, obtained and served a search warrant on March 9 which led to the arrest of an Ava woman. Ava Police Chief Reggie Johnson said Cheryl A. Holloway, 49, was arrested for distribution near a…
What started out as a routine sentencing hearing here last Friday took an unusual turn. In fact, Howell County Judge Don Henry said it was the most unusual thing he had witnessed in his 10 years on the bench and more than 30 years as an attorney. Britni Tyra, 23,…
SPRINGFIELD ‑ Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that additional charges have been filed against a fugitive from England who was arrested in Ozark, Mo., and indicted by a federal grand jury Tuesday for illegally possessing firearms, document fraud and identity theft. Edward John…
SPRINGFIELD ‑ Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a fugitive from England who was arrested in Ozark, was charged in federal court last Thursday with illegally possessing firearms. Edward John Maher, also known as Michael Maher, 56, of Ozark, was charged with being…
On Tuesday, Feb. 7, during law day in Douglas County, Judge John Moody sentenced individuals to prison sentences. Joshua Lahammer, 28, of Falcon, was sentenced to five years in prison for second-degree burglary after Judge Moody revoked his probation due to violation reports from Probation and Parole. Autumn Risley, 28,…
Breaking news: On a change of venue from Douglas to Texas County, James Verow, former Douglas County Deputy Sheriff was found guilty on four of five counts this evening. Sentencing will take place tomorrow (Friday Feb. 3rd, 2012) at 9 a.m. in the Texas County Court in Houston, Mo. More…
One man was arrested last Saturday and returned to custody on stealing charges, and a second individual is still being sought by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office following an incident last Thursday in the Squires area. On Thursday, Jan. 5, Sheriff Chris Degase and Deputy Nathan Long responded to a…
$1.4 million, 3 kilos of cocaine, seized from vehicle SPRINGFIELD –– Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Fresno, Calif., man has been sentenced in federal court in a case that began when law enforcement officers found more than $1.4 million and nearly…
Two Charged in Texas County More charges have been filed in connection with the murder of Kenny Stout, 17. Authorities said James K. Watson, 26, of Mansfield, was charged last Tuesday in Texas County with tampering with a motor vehicle, 1st degree, and tampering with physical evidence in felony prosecution.…
On Dec. 12, Melissa Evans, 38, of Ava, was found guilty of harassment by use of a telephone in a one-day jury trial in Douglas County. Evans was charged in March with a two-count grand jury indictment of tampering with a victim and harassment. In the circuit court trial presided…
On Tuesday, Dec. 6, during Law Day, Judge John Moody sentenced two people to prison for drug offenses. Leanna Hampton, 27, of Ava, was sentenced to seven years in prison for possession of a controlled substance after the judge revoked her probation due to violation reports from Probation and Parole…
Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Springfield man was charged in federal court Tuesday with the armed robbery of Great Southern Bank in Springfield. Kwanell Allen, 21, of Springfield, was charged with stealing $20,664 in a federal criminal complaint in the U.S.…
On Nov. 19, a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper attempted to stop a stolen 2004 Chevrolet pickup in Texas County, which was believed to be operated by suspected fugitive, Darryl L. Eye, 49, of Licking. Felony warrants for tampering first degree and resisting arrest had been issued for Eye by…
SPRINGFIELD – Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Crane man was sentenced in federal court Friday for failure to register as a sex offender. Kevin Ray Martin, 39, of Crane, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to the statutory…
On Tuesday, Nov. 8, during November law day, Circuit Judge John Moody sentenced three individuals to prison on Douglas County offenses. Stanley Lakey, 46, Ava, was sentenced to two years in prison for DWI-persistent offender for a traffic stop that occurred on April 28, 2011. Michael Spicer, 32, of Mtn.…
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office received a call Sunday that a burglary was in progress and the intruder was still in the house. Deputy James Gilbert was dispatched and while responding was advised the subject, identified as Sean Roberson, 23, of Springfield, had exited the residence by jumping through a…
On Saturday night, Oct. 22, just before midnight, Douglas County Sheriff Chris Degase was assisting Taney and Christian counties with a pursuit that was expected to enter Douglas County. While maintaining surveillance at around 11:30 p.m., Degase observed a pickup turn off from Lemming Road on the county line between…
At approximately 6 a.m., Oct. 19, members of the South Central Drug Task Force, in coordination with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, and Rolla Police Department, concluded a long-term narcotics investigation in Phelps County. Over approximately 18 months, officers with the South Central Drug Task Force,…
On Monday, Oct. 17, a Texas County Circuit Judge found Dan Andrews “not guilty by reason of insanity” in a double homicide. The case originated in Douglas County but had been transferred to Texas County on a change of venue requested by the legal team of the defendant. The case…
SPRINGFIELD – Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Greene County man pleaded guilty in federal court today to robbing a Morrisville bank at knife-point. Daryl Williams, 50, of Greene County, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr to the charge…
On Tuesday, Oct. 4, during the October Law Day, Judge John Moody sentenced individuals to the Department of Corrections. Daniel N. Isaac, 24, of Ava, was sentenced to two years in prison for 2nd degree domestic assault for offenses that occurred July 4, 2011. Doyle W. Shelton Jr., 37, of…
A western Missouri kindergarten pupil drew national attention by bringing his mother’s crack pipe and drugs to school for a class assignment. The Sweet Springs Elementary school faculty found a crack pipe and an estimated $3,000-worth of methamphetamine in the boy’s backpack before he was to present it to the class on Sept. 6. Faculty the…
CAPE GIRARDEAU — The Missouri Labor Department concluded an investigation finding that Larry McElroy of Blackhawk Electric Company in Cape Girardeau violated the prevailing wage law and falsified certified payroll records. “Failing to pay workers is shameful and illegal–but attempting to outsmart investigators with fake payroll records is a criminal…
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Department, with assistance and cooperation from several other adjoining counties, has broken a major theft ring and recovered items stolen up to six years ago. Sheriff Chris Degase reports that five people have been arrested at this time, and the investigation is ongoing with more charges…
SPRINGFIELD – Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that four men pleaded guilty in federal court this week, in separate and unrelated cases, to failing to register as sex offenders. “Today’s pleas were the result of diligent investigative work by the U.S. Marshals Service…
On Saturday, Aug. 20, at approximately 5:30 p.m., a member of the Missouri State Highway Patrol was called to investigate a traffic crash on Route PP, 15 miles east of Gainesville, in Ozark County. Upon arrival, the trooper determined that a homemade trailer had separated from its towing vehicle and…
The Drug Courts Coordinating Commission looked at three areas of performance when assessing the grade: (1) the low number of repeat offenders that graduate from the 44th Circuit’s Drug Court; (2) the low cost per Drug Court participant; and (3) the Drug Court’s compliance with the 10-key Components for Drug…
Amy Herring, 30, of Mtn. Home, Ark., was sentenced last week to 15 years in the Department of Corrections as a Class X offender for murder in the 2nd degree, and 10 years for robbery in the 1st degree. Class X offenders must serve 85 percent of their actual prison…
On Monday, Aug. 2, during August Law Day, Judge John Moody sentenced the following people to the Department of Corrections: Billy J. Hesterlee, 38, Ava, was sentenced to four years in prison after violating his probation on the original charge of property damage, 1st degree, and four years in prison…
SPRINGFIELD – Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that eight defendants have been indicted for their roles in a conspiracy to create and cash more than $134,000 in counterfeit checks in a three-state area. The scheme allegedly involved stealing mail from businesses in…
SPRINGFIELD – Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that eight defendants, including the owner and associates of a Springfield, Mo., real estate company, have pleaded guilty in federal court to their roles in a nearly $11 million mortgage fraud scheme that involved more than…
On Tuesday, July 5, during Law Day in Douglas County, Circuit Judge John Moody revoked the probation of Gina Hale, 33, of Ava. Hale had been convicted and was on probation for domestic assault. With the probation revoked, the five-year sentence in the Department of Corrections will be executed.…
SPRINGFIELD – Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Tulsa, Okla., man was sentenced in federal court Tuesday for transporting a minor across state lines to engage in illegal sexual activity. Christopher Virden, 26, of Tulsa, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard…
SPRINGFIELD – Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that an Aurora, Mo., woman pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to mail fraud and to filing false tax returns, which were related to a scheme to embezzle $253,848 from her employer. Diana Kay Erickson,…
KANSAS CITY – Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Sparta man was sentenced in federal court Wednesday for robbing two banks in Nixa and Ozark. Joshua T. Caprarella, 29, of Sparta, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith to five…
Aimee Herring, 30, of Mtn. Home, Ark., pleaded guilty to 2nd-degree murder in Douglas County Circuit Court on Tuesday, June 7. Herring, who was charged in the Sept. 10, 2010 murder of Phillip Taylor, of Macomb, also pleaded guilty to 1st degree robbery charges in connection with the same case.…
SPRINGFIELD – Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that an Ava, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court Monday for transporting a minor across state lines for illicit sex. Shane Jay Fleetwood, 42, of Ava, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr…
SPRINGFIELD – Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that four more Pulaski County, Mo., residents have pleaded guilty in federal court to their roles in a scheme to distribute prescription drugs through Internet pharmacy Web sites. Yvonna G. Bays, 49, of Waynesville, Mo.,…
Jeffery Tanner, 19, of Ava, has been charged with a residential burglary in Douglas County. Cole Wagner, also 19, of Ava, is charged with a probation and parole violation in connection with the same incident that occurred on May 27. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Department reports that the office received…
JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan today announced a Cease and Desist Order against David Grammer of Macon and Jana Baxter of Columbia for allegedly misusing more than $2 million they raised from investors for Boydoplex, their supposed “molecular exchange” energy technology. According to the order…
What started out as a routine traffic stop has resulted in two arrests on drug charges, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. On May 15, Deputy Brad Loveless and Sheriff Chris Degase arrested Joseph Merriett, 35, and Jeffery Schmidt, 48, both of Ava. Deputy Loveless initiated a traffic stop…
On April 21, Judge Craig Carter sentenced several people to the Department of Corrections. Corrina Bingham, 40, Ava, was sentenced to five years after violating her probation on the original charge of possession of a controlled substance. She was also sentenced to 10 days in the county jail to run…
Britni Tyra, 22, is being held on child abuse charges, it was announced Wednesday by Sheriff Chris Degase. On Monday, April 25, Tyra was arrested by Sgt. Vernon Johnson of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and placed on a 24 hours hold for an incident of suspected child abuse that…
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office was busy this past week as Sheriff Degase placed a primary focus on the growing methamphetamine problem. All deputies were working methamphetamine-related information in between taking the usual calls, Degase said. K-9 Officer Brad Loveless and Deputy Nathan Long arrested Timothy Rehard, age 27, and…
An Ava man’s request for a new trial was denied on April 19 and he was sentenced to serve 90 days in the county jail for driving while intoxicated. Wright County Associate Circuit Judge Lynette Veenstra, on special assignment, heard the case here on Tuesday. On April 1, a local…
SPRINGFIELD–Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Joplin, Mo., husband and wife who operated five long-term residential care facilities in southwest Missouri were sentenced in federal court Wednesday for health care fraud. Robert J. Dupont, Jr., 66, and his wife, Laverne D. Dupont,…
A grand jury indictment against Anna May Moreland, 34, of Ava, was unsealed Tuesday, and an active warrant has been issued for her arrest. So far, authorities have been unable to find Moreland and her whereabouts are unknown. In a document dated March 4 by the Douglas County Circuit Court,…
On Saturday, April 2, at approximately 11 a.m., Carter County Sheriff Tommy L. Adams, 31, Ellsinore, was arrested on drug charges. The arrest was made by members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control. Adams was arrested on a class B felony…
Individuals charged and convicted in Douglas County were given prison sentences at March Law Day on Tuesday, March 8, according to Prosecuting Attorney Roger Wall. Sentenced to the Department of Corrections by Circuit Judge John Moody were: Bradley Cooley, 45, Norwood, sentenced to two years for possession of a controlled…
A Douglas County grand jury has issued indictments against two former employees of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department, it was revealed this week. James A. Verow, 34, Ava, a former deputy sheriff, is being held on a five-count indictment dating back to June 2010. His bond has been set at…
SPRINGFIELD – Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that an Ava, Mo., man pleaded guilty Wednesday to transporting a minor across state lines for illicit sex on what would have been the second day of his jury trial in federal court. Shane Jay Fleetwood,…
On Wednesday, March 2, after a period of just 25 minutes of deliberation, a Douglas County jury returned a verdict of guilty against defendant Marcus Sharp, of Conway. The jury found the defendant guilty of operating a semi while intoxicated, first offense, and speeding at 75 miles per hour in…
The Douglas County Herald received the following press release from Douglas County Prosecuting Attorney Roger Wall on Wednesday of this week stating the following: “Recently, the Douglas County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has been asked by news media about indictments returned by a Douglas County Grand Jury against present and/or former…
Three More Arrested in Case at Brushy Knob Officers with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department were busy last week, arresting a total of six people in two separate drug cases. Last Thursday morning, officers from the Sheriff’s Office responded to the 300 block of NE 13th Street in Ava for…
Keiko A. Phouangsyvanith, 21, of California, Mo., was arrested last week by Douglas County deputies following a domestic disturbance. The Sheriff’s Office said Phouangsyvanith was charged with 2nd degree domestic assault, endangering the welfare of a child in the 1st degree, and armed criminal action. The first two charges are…
James D. Cain, 47, of Mtn. Grove was arrested in Texas County on Friday, Feb. 25, on a Douglas County warrant for 1st degree felony burglary, 1st degree felony domestic assault and misdemeanor theft/stealing. The charges stemmed from an altercation that occurred in the Vanzant area of Douglas County on…
On New Year’s Eve Sgt. Vernon Johnson of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office received information regarding the spree of car vandalism and burglaries that occurred in the city limits of Ava. Deputy Johnson recovered two stereos, one that was stolen out of Salina, Kan. and the other taken from a…
On Jan. 13, Dophes Eugene “Gene” Barton, 47, of Alton, was arrested for receipt of stolen property. Barton’s arrest came as the result of a lengthy investigation conducted by the Oregon County Sheriff’s Department, the Rural Crimes Task Force of the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime…
The Missouri Court of Appeals has affirmed the 2009 murder conviction of James Earl Hitchcock, 48, of Ava. Hitchcock was charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the 2008 shooting and beating death of Wendell Hillhouse, 42, of Branson, along a county road in Douglas County. Hitchcock was…
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office recently concluded a nearly 6 month investigation that has solved burglaries and stealing cases in Douglas, Greene, Ozark, Taney and Webster Counties, along with the cities of Springfield and Cabool. Sheriff Chris Degase said he and Deputy Vernon Johnson were the primary investigators on the…
Oct. 3, 12:28 p.m., 100 block E. Highway 14. Animal complaint. Oct. 3, 11:52 p.m., NE 6th Ave., assist Sheriff’s deputy with traffic stop. Oct. 4, 4:07 a.m., NW 3rd St., traffic stop. Citation issued for financial responsibility and warning for speeding. Oct. 4, 8:17 a.m., SW 3rd Ave., medical…
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Public Safety today announced that 343 Missouri pharmacies are connected to a new database that will help law enforcement stop methamphetamine dealers by cutting them off from pseudoephedrine, the cold medicine that is also a key ingredient in meth. “This new tracking…
Aimee Herring, 29, of Mtn. Home, Ark., one of two women charged with the murder of Phillip Taylor at the Roadside Park north of Ava on Sept. 10, waived her preliminary hearing her Tuesday and was bound over to circuit court to stand trial. She will be arraigned in circuit…
A very informative and well-organized town hall meeting was held at the Douglas County Courthouse last Thursday night to discuss the proposed new Douglas County Justice Center and Jail. This was the second such meeting to be held in Ava; now a similar meeting has been scheduled at Squires for…
Sept. 19, 2:42 a.m., NW 12th Ave., traffic stop, citation for stop sign violation. Sept. 19, 3:38 p.m., Sheriff’s Office, report of harassment. Sept. 19, 4:39 p.m., report of motorcycles on airport runway. Sept. 19, 8:11 p.m., Highway 5, traffic stop, verbal warning for speed. Sept. 20, 6:16 a.m., NW…
Douglas County Sheriff Chris Degase said this week that the two murder suspects in a Douglas County homicide have waived extradition and will be returned here for arraignment, possibly as early as Wednesday of this week. Degase said April Dawn Quick, 32, and Aimee Lynne Herring, 29, both of Mtn.…
SPRINGFIELD – Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced last week that a West Plains man has been sentenced in federal court for illegally possessing a firearm. James A. Scudder, 44, of West Plains, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr on Tuesday,…
Following several inquiries from the public, Don Ledford, Public Affairs officer for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Missouri, has announced the Kansas City Alliance Against Human Trafficking (KCAAHT) has opened a bank account to collect donations for the victim in the recently announced human trafficking case United States…
Officers from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control are currently investigating a homicide which occurred Friday, Sept. 10, 2010, in Douglas County. The identity of the victim is not being released at this time pending notification of next of…
Douglas County Prosecuting Attorney Chris Wade reported this week that three individuals received prison sentences at September Law Day in Douglas County. Vincent Adkins, 31, Ava, received a two-year sentence for violating his probation by failing to report to his probation officer. Ryan Moore, 28, Ava, received two years for…
SPRINGFIELD – Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that an Ava, woman was indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday for embezzling $212,100 from her employer. Peggy J. Duncan, 60, of Ava, was charged in a 47-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury…
Tax Forum Documents (These documents were handed out at the forum.) The Douglas County commissioners and Sheriff Chris Degase held a community forum on Thursday, Aug. 26 to discuss the proposed sales tax bond issue to build and maintain a new justice center. The forum had around 50 attendees, about…
REEDS SPRING – The criminal justice program at Missouri Southern State University is offering a Missouri P.O.S.T. certified 40-hour Advanced Law Enforcement training program this fall in Reeds Spring. Sessions will be held at University of Missouri Extension’s Tri-Lakes Telecommunication Community Resource Center (TCRC) in Reeds Spring from 6 to…
On Wednesday, Aug. 11, a Douglas County jury of seven men and five women deliberated approximately 45 minutes before returning a verdict of not guilty in a sodomy and child molestation case here. Ava defense attorney Christopher Swatosh said the Douglas County jury found Dallas R. Hallman, 26, of West…
Reporting Party May be Charged For Making False Report Douglas County Sheriff Chris Degase said this week that he has received many phone calls inquiring about an attempted abduction of a female in the Goodhope area. Degase said alleged incidents were investigated by the Highway Patrol and the Sheriff’s Department,…
SPRINGFIELD – Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Springfield, Mo., pharmacist pleaded guilty in federal court Monday to failing to file a federal tax return. Steven Loyd Crain, 53, of Springfield, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge James C. England to a…
A coordinated advertising and enforcement effort, new legislation taking effect soon and new memorial signs going up are designed to work together to make Missouri drivers more aware of the dangers of impaired driving. The goal is to help make Missouri roads safer, said officials with the Missouri State Highway…
SPRINGFIELD – Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a traveling carnival worker with prior convictions as a sex offender in two states has been charged in federal court with failing to register in Missouri after he absconded from state supervision in Louisiana…
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a Springfield, Mo., man has pleaded guilty in federal court to his role in a real estate scheme in which investors lost up to $1 million. John Michael Sheehan, 50, of Springfield, pleaded…
JEFFERSON CITY – New Missouri DWI legislation will crack down on drunk drivers and make Missouri roads safer. The timely coordination of the new law and an impaired driving campaign will urge drivers to think about the consequences of impaired driving this August and in the months ahead. This year’s…
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Public Safety today announced that Missouri is one of five U.S. states selected to develop ways to strengthen law enforcement through secure and streamlined methods of information sharing between law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and courts. Missouri will concentrate its effort on expediting…
Elvis Volner, 23, was sentenced here Monday to life without parole for his part in the 2008 murder of Dustin Skaggs. Following a three-day trial here in June, Volner, formerly of Cabool, was convicted of murder in the first degree, robbery in the first degree, and armed criminal action. He…
SPRINGFIELD – Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a Springfield man and a Nixa man have been indicted by a federal grand jury for trafficking in counterfeit goods after federal agents seized hundreds of pairs of counterfeit Nike shoes and other counterfeit…
SPRINGFIELD – Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced Friday afternoon that a Stockton woman was sentenced in federal court for her role in an arson fire at a local business. Dina Larson, 39, of Stockton, was sentenced on Friday by U.S. District Judge Richard…
Will Spend 15 Years in Federal Prison KANSAS CITY – Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a former Nixa firefighter pleaded guilty in federal court Friday to receiving child pornography over the Internet. Michael Keith Benson, 41, of Nixa, pleaded guilty before U.S.…
KANSAS CITY – Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a former Nixa, Mo., firefighter pleaded guilty in federal court to receiving child pornography over the Internet. Michael Keith Benson, 41, of Nixa, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr to an…
At the Aug. 3 Law Day in Douglas County, a number of individuals were sentenced to prison terms, according to information provided by Prosecuting Attorney Chris Wade. Phillip Bea, 18, Ava, pleaded guilty to rape and forcible sodomy. He received 12 years on each count, with the sentences to run…
