Springfield woman sentenced for leading meth trafficking conspiracy

(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)

A Springfield, Missouri, woman was sentenced in federal court today for leading a conspiracy that distributed more than 15 kilograms of methamphetamine in a three-county area.

Christina E. Gauger, 39, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 17 years in federal prison without parole.

Law enforcement officers seized a total of more than 2.5 kilograms of methamphetamine from Gauger in a series of traffic stops and searches of her residence. 

According to court documents, Gauger obtained a pound of methamphetamine per week during the conspiracy. She travelled to Kansas City, Mo., once or twice each week to purchase $30,000 to $40,000 worth of methamphetamine each trip. She then distributed the methamphetamine to at least five co-conspirators to distribute throughout Cass, Greene, and Miller counties.

On Aug. 8, 2019, Gauger pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, three counts of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, one count of possessing methamphetamine to distribute on premises in which a minor was present, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

Gauger admitted that she participated in the drug-trafficking conspiracy from May 14, 2017, to June 20, 2018. Gauger also admitted that she was in possession of a Taurus 9mm semi-automatic pistol and a Davis Industries .22-caliber derringer handgun on March 14, 2018.

Gauger was arrested during a traffic stop on May 14, 2017, and a Cass County sheriff’s deputy found a bag in her vehicle that contained 110.77 grams of methamphetamine. Gauger was arrested again during a traffic stop on Sept. 5, 2017, and a Springfield police officer found four bags that contained a total of 82.3 grams of methamphetamine in her vehicle, along with $1,446 and an additional 6.68 grams of methamphetamine in a cosmetic compartment.

Officers executed a search warrant at Gauger’s residence on Jan. 17, 2018, and found five bags of methamphetamine that weighed a total of 73.37 grams, a loaded Taurus .22-caliber semi-automatic pistol in her possession, $8,000 in a safe, $3,191 in her possession, and $1,431 in her purse.

Officers executed another search warrant at Gauger’s residence on March 14, 2018, and found a canvas bag that contained 1,985 grams (4.37 pounds) of methamphetamine and $400, a plastic bag that contained approximately one-quarter pound of marijuana, a gallon-sized plastic bag that contained 299.98 grams (.66 pounds) of methamphetamine, a Taurus 9mm semi-automatic pistol in a bathroom drawer, a Davis Industries .22-caliber derringer handgun in the trunk of her car, a DVR surveillance system with cameras mounted on the exterior of the residence, $1,008 on her bedroom floor and $268 in her purse.

Co-defendant Jordan H. Williamson, 31, of Springfield, pleaded guilty to his role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy and was sentenced to 204 months in federal prison without parole. Co-defendant Jacob B. Piatchek, 26, of Springfield, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years in federal prison without parole. Co-defendants Jason L. Thomas, 42, Robin L. Self, 38, and Patrick R. Waters, 33, all of Springfield, have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

This case is being prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall D. Eggert and Assistant U.S. Attorney Byron Black. It was investigated by the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Cass County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Lawrence County routes to be closed for pipe replacement work

(From MODOT)

MoDOT TRAFFIC ALERT: Lawrence County Routes CLOSED the Week of February 1
For Pipe Replacement Work

Where/When: Lawrence County Route DD CLOSED between Main Street in Miller and Lawrence Country Road 1140 east of Miller 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Monday, February 1

I-44 outer road CLOSED between Lawrence County Route N and Lawrence County Road 2090 south of I-44, east of Mount Vernon 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 2

Lawrence County Route N CLOSED between Lawrence County Road 2100 and Lawrence County Road 2090 east of Mount Vernon 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 3

What: MoDOT crews replacing deteriorating drain pipes underneath the road

Traffic Impacts

-Lawrence County Routes CLOSED only where crews are set up working

-Road open at night

-Drivers will be able to get to driveways and entrances on either side of the work zones, but will not be able to travel through the work zones

-Drivers urged to find alternate routes. No signed detours are planned.

-Electronic message boards located near the planned road work will alert drivers to any changes in the work schedule

Check MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map for road closings/traffic impacts

Weather and/or scheduling conflicts could alter the work schedule.

Springfield Police Department begins using body cameras

 

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On Monday, Jan. 25, 2021, the Springfield Police Department began rolling out its new body-worn camera program. The process will continue throughout the week as more than 200 patrol officers are assigned and fitted with a camera.

“This program has been in the works for several months and we are happy to finally see it come to fruition,” said Springfield Police Chief Paul Williams. 

“The police department and City leadership have worked diligently and consulted multiple community members to ensure that the body-worn camera program, and its subsequent policy, best serves our citizens. We hope this will help increase transparency and foster greater trust between law enforcement and the community.”

By the end of the week, Springfield police officers will be wearing Motorola WatchGuard V300 Police Body-Worn Cameras, which, according to SPD policy, will be in operation during all interactions with Springfield citizens.

For more information about the cameras or the policy for their use, please visit the Springfield Police Department website.

Mount Vernon teens, Billings man killed in head-on collision on I-44

 

Three people were killed in a two-vehicle collision 9:05 p.m. Sunday on I-44, five miles east of Mount Vernon.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Evert L. Hair, 85, Billings, traveled the wrong way on I-44 and struck a 2002 Honda Civic driven by Izik D. Fudge, 17, Mount Vernon, head on.

Lawrence County Coroner Larry Eden pronounced Hair, Fudge and a passenger in the Fudge vehicle, Navaeh S. Aust, 17, Mount Vernon, dead at the scene.

The fatalities were the 10th, 11th and 12th this year for Highway Patrol Troop D.

Marshfield woman faces felony charge after allegedly killing pedestrian in hit-and-run

A Marshfield woman was arrested on a felony charge of leaving the scene of an accident after allegedly hitting and killing a pedestrian 3:30 a.m. Tuesday on Evergreen Road, four miles east of Strafford.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2003 Toyota Camry driven by Morgan M. Wright, 26, Marshfield, struck Traten J. Sherry, 46, Omaha, Nebraska, who was standing in the roadway.

Webster County Coroner Michael Taylor pronounced Sherry dead at the scene at 4:50 a.m.

Two Republic residents killed in crash, third seriously injured

Two people were killed and another person injured in a one-vehicle accident 8:25 p.m. Monday on Highway TT, two miles north of Republic.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2008 Pontiac G6, driver not identified, ran off the roadway and struck several trees. All three occupants were ejected.

Greene County Coroner Alex Moffatt pronounced Logan D. Flanagan, 20, and Calen K. Hankins, 21, both of Republic dead at the scene at 10:30 p.m.

James L. Flanagan, 22, Republic, was taken to Mercy Hospital, Springfield, with serious injuries.

The fatalities were the fourth and fifth this year for Highway Patrol Troop D.

Springfield Police Department schedules DWI saturation patrol

(From the Springfield Police Department)

The Springfield Police Department’s Traffic Section will conduct a DWI saturation enforcement effort on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. This is in correlation to the increase of intoxicated drivers during the football season.

The enforcement is an effort to proactively target hazardous moving violations that pose a threat to safety for motorists in Springfield. Violations will be identified through increased patrol efforts.

The operation was funded by a grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation. The Springfield Police Department wants to remind drivers to be vigilant and to watch for suspected impaired drivers operating on our roadways. Remember, don't risk it, designate a sober driver.

Springfield police officers now carrying Narcan

(From the Springfield Police Department)

All uniformed officers at the Springfield Police Department are now carrying Narcan, an emergency medication used to rapidly reverse opioid overdoses. As this was implemented, officers were also provided with quicker access to tourniquets. 

Previously, tourniquets were solely stored in patrol cars, now each officer carries them on their duty belt. Tourniquets are devices used to apply pressure in order to stop bleeding during an emergency.

“Preventable blood loss is one of the most common causes of death and more than 30 citizens died in Springfield from opioid overdoses in 2020. These tools are, quite literally, lifesavers,” said Police Chief Paul Williams. “And while it’s unfortunate that we need them, we are glad to have the added options to better serve our community.”

Supplemental training is also provided to all officers so they can most effectively utilize these tools.

During the academy, all recruits receive 40 hours of first responder-level first aid training, which also includes “Stop the Bleed” training for tourniquet usage. This training is taught by Springfield Police Special Response Team medics.

Current officers also received training as part of the SPD’s annual in-service curriculum in 2020. They received a total of four hours in tourniquet application, tactical medical procedures and Narcan training taught by Cox and Military medics through Cox Health in conjunction with the MO Hope Project. Officers will receive a Narcan refresher course every two years when they re-certify for CPR.

The tourniquets were provided by Cox and the Springfield Police Foundation awarded the SPD a grant to provide each officer with a tourniquet holder. The Springfield-Greene County Health Department provides the Narcan.

Springfield man dies in apartment fire

(From the Springfield Fire Department)

Shortly after 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, the Springfield Fire Department responded to reports of a building fire in the 2800 block of East University Street and arrived to find a fire in an apartment. 

While firefighting operations were underway, firefighters located and removed 66-year-old Larry Woodcock and transported him to Mercy’s burn unit. Woodcock died from his injuries on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020.

This was the fourth residential fire fatality, and the seventh fire fatality overall, in Springfield in 2020. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Springfield Police searching for missing woman, reportedly assaulted and forced into vehicle

(From the Springfield Police Department)

The Springfield Police Department is asking for the public's assistance in locating a missing person. Sarah G. Parkhurst was last seen on Jan. 3, 2021, at about 11:47 a.m. 

A witness told officers he saw Parkhurst being assaulted and forced into a vehicle described as a white Mercury with Missouri plate 6HDB83.

Parkhurst is known to have an order of protection against the man who forced her into the vehicle. 

Officers identified that man as 50-year-old William M. Hoover. Hoover is a white male, 5’10”, and 185 pounds. He has brown hair and green eyes. Parkhurst is a 41-year-old white female, 5’3”, and 130 pounds. She has blonde hair and blue eyes. She was last seen in the area of S. Craig Ave. and E. Grand St. in Springfield MO.

Police are seeking to confirm her well-being. Anyone with information concerning her whereabouts should call 911 or the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810 or make an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 417-869-TIPS (8477).

Springfield man arrested for murder after woman, 13-year-old boy stabbed to death, two other children stabbed

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On December 31, 2020, at about 12:47 p.m., the Springfield Police Department was dispatched to 2001 W. Scott due to a 911 caller stating a juvenile female had been assaulted. 

Officers arrived and located two juvenile females (one 14 years of age and one 7 years of age) who had both suffered stab wounds. 

The 14-year-old female’s wounds were considered life-threatening. Both were transported to local hospitals. Officers made entry into the residence where they discovered a deceased adult female and a deceased juvenile male. 

 

The deceased adult female has been identified as Stephanie Plumb, a 32-year-old female from Springfield, MO. The deceased juvenile male has been identified as Dylan Moore, a 13-year-old male from Springfield, MO. Next of kin notifications have been made.

At the time of this press release, the 14-year-old juvenile victim was listed as critical but stable condition. The 7-year-old victim is in stable condition.

A witness observed a male subject flee from 2001 W. Scott. The Springfield Police Department received several calls about a male subject wearing bloody clothing near the area of Division and LaFontaine. A perimeter was established, and officers eventually located the male subject in the 1400 block of N. Brown. The subject was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital. 

The subject was identified as Brandon C. King, a 29-year-old male from Springfield, MO. King was arrested for 1st Degree Murder and booked into the Greene County Jail. The case has been presented to the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office for filing of appropriate charges.

Detectives continue to investigate and are asking anyone who has information about this incident to contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810 or make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 417-869-TIPS (8477).

These mark the 28th and 29th violent deaths in Springfield in 2020. Twenty of those have been determined to be Murder under the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) rules, one was classified as Negligent Manslaughter, and two others were ruled justified after review by the Greene County Prosecutor. Six other cases remain under investigation to determine the appropriate classification.