Taney County couple indicted for producing child pornography

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

A Merriam Village, Missouri, couple has been indicted by a federal grand jury for producing child pornography.

Mark John Millman, 36, a citizen of Great Britain and a legal alien resident, and his wife, Tara Sau Millman, 41, were charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo., on Tuesday, Feb. 23. 

The indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Mark and Tara Millman on January 29, 2021. The Millmans have been in federal custody since their arrest, and remain detained without bail.

The federal indictment charges the Millmans together in one count of using a minor to produce child pornography and one count of receiving and distributing child pornography.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, the investigation began when agents with Homeland Security Investigations in San Diego, California, began investigating users of a cloud storage platform (identified in court documents as “Cloud Platform A”). 

The cloud platform provides encrypted, cloud-based services that enable private, secure online storage, communication, and collaboration for business and individuals. During the investigation, the agents accessed a weblink to an encrypted chat room with approximately 145 registered users. Files containing child pornography were uploaded/posted by participants in the chat room, the affidavit says, including Mark Millman.

A search warrant was executed at the Millmans’ residence in Taney County, Mo., on January 28, 2021. According to the affidavit, images and videos of child pornography were found on both Mark and Tara Millman’s cell phones. Among those photos, the affidavit says, were images of the Millmans’ sexual abuse of child victims.

The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force.

Springfield man killed in rollover crash

A Springfield man was killed in a one-vehicle accident 8:05 p.m. Tuesday on Route D, three miles east of Springfield.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 1998 Ford Taurus driven by West-Lee M. Woodruff, 32, Springfield, failed to stop at a stop sign, crossed Route D, ran off the highway and overturned.

Greene County Medical Examiner Luke Storer pronounced West dead at the scene at 9:21 p.m.

A passenger, Destinee G Trybus, 23, Springfield, was treated for minor injuries at Cox South Hospital, Springfield.

The fatality was the 19th this year for Highway Patrol Troop D.

Branson man killed in fiery crash on 165

A Branson man was killed in a one-vehicle accident 1:11 a.m. today on Highway 165, two miles west of Hollister.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2019 Ram 1500 PK driven by Anthony M. LaGrand Perez, 25, Branson, traveled off the roadway, struck several trees and caught fire.

Taney County Coroner Tony Muller pronounced Perez dead at the scene 

The fatality was the 18th this year for Highway Patrol Troop D.

 

Galena couple killed in collision near Reeds Spring

 

A Galena couple was killed in a two-vehicle collision 3:33 p.m. Monday on U. S. 160, one mile north of Reeds Spring.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2013 Ford Escape driven by Kirby L. Hedrick, 82, Galena, pulled into the path of a 2013 Ford F250 driven by David L. Warthen, 62, Springfield, and was struck on the driver's side.

Hedrick and a passenger, Shirley L. Hedrick, 79, Galena, were pronounced dead at the scene by Stone County Coroner John Cunningham at 4:41 p.m.

Warthen was treated for moderate injuries at Cox South Hospital, Springfield.

The fatalities were the 16th and 17th this year or Highway Patrol Troop D.

Barry County Route 37 pavement, intersection improvements scheduled

(From MODOT)

Barry County Route 37 Pavement and Intersection Improvements Project to Begin Week of March 1

Drivers should expect lane closings and occasional traffic delays when a project to make roadway improvements along Missouri Route 37 between Monett and the Missouri/Arkansas state line begins the week of March 1, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.

The contractor anticipates beginning work on the project constructing a new left turn lane at Farm Road 2140 south of Butterfield.

Project highlights:
Resurface Route 37 between U.S. Route 60 and the Missouri/Arkansas state line
Increase visibility for drivers at Route BB
Intersection improvements at Route W
Add left-turn lane at Farm Road 2140
Add passing lane north of Washburn
Improve drainage in various locations between Washburn and Cassville

Traffic Impacts:
Traffic reduced to one lane where contractor crews are working
Drivers will encounter flaggers and pilot cars where crews are working. Drivers should wait for the pilot vehicle before proceeding through the work zone or before entering the work zone from a side road.
No signed detours
Signs and message boards will alert drivers approaching the work zone
Drivers are urged to find alternate routes

Weather and/or scheduling delays will alter the work schedule.

Project Information:
Prime contractor: APAC Central Inc., Springfield
Total project cost: $11.3 million
Contract completion date: June 30, 2021

Springfield Police investigate homicide at Patton and Walnut

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On Feb. 6, 2021, at approximately 12:12 a.m., Springfield Police Officers heard gunshots in the area of Patton and Walnut. 

Officers responded to the area and located an injured person in a parking lot on the southwest corner of the intersection. The male victim suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was transported to a local hospital, where he later died. 

 

The victim was identified as Robert Moffett, a 32-year-old male from Springfield, MO. Next of kin notifications have been made. A suspect has not been identified at this time.

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).

Springfield man sentenced for illegal firearm, making threat that disrupted airport

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

A Springfield, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court Wednesday for illegally possessing a firearm and for making a threatening phone call that caused disruption at the Springfield National Airport.

Dustin B. Gowens, 39, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to four years in federal prison without parole.

On Feb. 22, 2020, Gowens pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of maliciously conveying false information.

Gowens admitted that on Sept. 25, 2018, he was in possession of a Jimenez Arms 9mm semi-automatic pistol. A clerk at the Kum & Go gas station called police officers when he saw Gowens pull the firearm from his pants pocket. 

When officers arrived, Gowens was standing outside with the gun in his hand. Gowens walked away, hiding the pistol in between a cage that contained propane tanks. The officer ordered him to lie on the ground, placed him in handcuffs, then found the firearm. Gowens, who was also in possession of four methadone pills, was arrested.

A few days later, on Sept. 28, 2018, Gowens called 911 to report that there was a group at the Springfield National Airport who had taken hostages and were in possession of a bomb. The duress alarm was sounded at the airport. 

When police officers responded to the airport alarm, the 911 dispatcher informed them that the phone call had originated from a pay phone at the airport. 

Surveillance cameras captured footage of Gowens, who was still seated on a bench nearby, making the phone call. Officers approached Gowens, who admitted making the call, and arrested him.

Gowens’s actions caused substantial disruption to the airport and caused delays of two departing flights.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Gowens has prior felony convictions for aggravated burglary, tampering with a motor vehicle, and theft of merchandise. Gowens also has eight misdemeanor convictions and faces two active warrants and five pending cases in Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma. He has arrests or convictions in six different states.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nhan D. Nguyen. It was investigated by the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, and the Springfield, Mo., Airport Police.

Springfield Police investigate homicide at 2808 W. Chestnut

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On Feb. 1, 2021, at about 6:13 p.m., officers with the Springfield Police Department were dispatched to 2808 W. Chestnut St. after a 911 caller said two people had been shot. 

Officers arrived and located two adult males suffering from gunshot wounds. One of the males was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries that were not considered life-threatening. The other male was provided medical treatment but succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead on scene. 

 

The deceased person was identified as 23-year-old Chandler Sweaney, from Springfield, MO. Next of kin notifications have been made to Mr. Sweaney’s family. A suspect has not been identified at this time.

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).

Ash Grove man killed, Aurora woman injured in head-on collision east of Mount Vernon

 

An Ash Grove man was killed in a two-vehicle collision 7:55 p.m. Sunday on MO 174, two miles east of Mount Vernon.

According to the Highway Patrol report, 2002 GMC Sonoma driven by Matthew C. Vermillion, 27, Ash Grove, crossed the center line and struck a 2015 Infinity QX6 driven by Paula J. Parker, 49, Aurora head on.

The Vermillion vehicle overturned in the roadway, while the Parker vehicle slid off the right side of the roadway.

Lawrence County Coroner Scott Lakin pronounced Vermillion dead at the scene at 8:17 p.m.

Parker was treated for serious injuries at Cox South Hospital, Springfield.

The fatality was the 13th this year for Highway Patrol Troop D.