Marshfield woman killed in Friday evening crash

A Marshfield woman was killed in a one-vehicle accident 9:40 p.m. Friday on Route A, five miles south of Marshfield.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2002 Volvo V70 driven by Robin L. Medina, 39, Marshfield, ran off the right side of the roadway, struck a driveway embankment, became airborne and overturned several times before coming to a stop on its side.

Dr. Kyle Fink pronounced Medina dead at the scene of the crash at 10:29 p.m.

The fatality was the 41st this year for Highway Patrol Troop D. 

Springfield Police investigate shooting death of local teen

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On May 20, 2021, at approximately 3:34 a.m., the Springfield Police Department was dispatched to the area of 1673 E. Chestnut St. due to a 911 caller stating a subject was lying in the roadway. 

When officers arrived, they located a male who had suffered a gunshot wound. The male was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

 

The male has been identified as Bobby D. Gooch Jr., an 18-year-old male from Springfield, Missouri. Next of kin notifications have been made to Mr. Gooch’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).

This incident marks the tenth homicide for 2021.

Southwest Honkys gang member sentenced to 25 years for meth trafficking conspiracy

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

A Fair Grove, Missouri, man who is a member of the Southwest Honkys violent prison gang was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a drug-trafficking conspiracy in which investigators intercepted a shipment of nearly 9.5 kilograms of methamphetamine.

William F. Jones, 45, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 25 years in federal prison without parole.

On May 21, 2020, Jones pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Christian County, Greene County, and Polk County, Missouri, from Dec. 21, 2016, to Oct. 15, 2017.

Jones was identified as a high-level member of the Southwest Honkys prison gang who had declined a top leadership role.

Jones, under the surveillance of law enforcement, drove to the Kansas City, Missouri area on Oct. 11, 2017, and checked into an Independence, Mo., hotel. A few days later, co-defendant Justin L. Rhoads, 33, of Lebanon, Mo., met Jones in the hotel’s parking lot. 

They put a large duffel bag in the cab of Rhoads’s pickup truck, and he left the parking lot. Rhoads was later stopped by a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper on Missouri Highway 13, just south of Humansville, Mo. 

The trooper searched Rhoads’s vehicle and found 10 Ziploc-style plastic bags inside the duffel bag that contained a total of approximately 9,439 grams of methamphetamine, which was determined to be at least 93 percent pure.

Rhoads pleaded guilty to his role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy and was sentenced on Jan. 21, 2021, to 12 years in federal prison without parole.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Josephine L. Stockard. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, the Combined Ozarks Multi-Jurisdictional Enforcement Team, the Greene County, Missouri, Sheriff’s Office, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol,

Springfield Police investigate officer-involved shooting

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On May 17, 2021, Springfield Police Officers investigated a homicide at 3231 W. Page. During the investigation, a person of interest was identified as John Hilt, a 36-year-old male from Springfield, MO. 

Hilt had an outstanding warrant from Christian County, MO for Resisting Arrest. On May 18, 2021, detectives with the Springfield Police Department Special Investigations Section conducted surveillance on Hilt. 

Detectives followed Hilt in a vehicle to the Kum N Go located at 3445 E. Kearney. The suspect vehicle was occupied by two males (one being Hilt) and a female.

 

The detectives attempted to contact Hilt and arrest him for the outstanding warrant, however Hilt displayed a gun and fired shots at the detectives. Two detectives returned fire at Hilt who was able to flee in the suspect vehicle with the female. The other male inside the vehicle suffered a gunshot wound to the chest and arm. The injury was not life-threatening, and the subject was transported to the hospital.

After fleeing from Kum N Go, the suspect vehicle was followed by police to the Welcome Inn located at 3550 E. Evergreen. Springfield Police Officers set up a perimeter, and eventually Hilt was taken into custody. Hilt suffered a gunshot wound to the neck and arm from the earlier incident. Both injuries were considered non-life-threatening, and he was transported to the hospital. The female subject was uninjured.

Both officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation. This case will be presented to the Greene County Prosecutor for review and filing of appropriate charges.

The Springfield Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division is currently investigating this incident. Detectives 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 shot to death, investigation continues

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On May 17, 2021, at approximately 12:37 a.m., the Springfield Police Department was dispatched to 3231 W. Page Street due to a check the well-being call. 

When officers arrived, they located a deceased male on the property who had suffered gunshot wounds.

The deceased person has been identified as James R. Kenney, a 41-year-old white male from Springfield, MO. Next of kin notifications have been made to Mr. Kenney’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).

This incident marks the ninth homicide for 2021.

Everton woman killed, Springfield man injured in three-vehicle accident on 160

One person was killed and another injured in a three-vehicle accident 8:33 a.m. Monday on U. S. 160, one mile west of Willard.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 1998 Dodge pickup with trailer driven by Robin J. Haller, 60, Yellville, Arkansas that was stopped to make a left turn was struck in the rear by a 2010 Ford Edge driven by Jessica A. Landis, 36, Everton.

The Landis vehicle traveled into the opposite lane and was struck by a 2012 Jeep Cherokee driven by Kyle A. Mejia, 26, Seattle, Washington.

Dr. Thomas Lewis pronounced Landis dead at the scene at 9:03 a.m..

A passenger in the Landis vehicle, Joshua A. Dorman, 41, Springfield, was treated for moderate injuries at Mercy Hospital, Springfield.

Springfield Police arrest seven for catalytic converter thefts

(From the Springfield Police Department)

Investigators with the Springfield Police Department’s Property Crimes Unit continue to work to identify and charge those responsible for stealing catalytic converters. Over the last several days, criminal charges were presented on the following people for felony theft.

On April 30, 2021, criminal charges were presented to the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office on David Moore. Probable Cause was developed indicating Moore had committed the felony offense of Stealing after he cut the catalytic converter from a 2003 Honda Element while it was parked on the lot of 1711 W. Battlefield. The offense occurred on April 24, 2021, between the hours of 12:10 p.m. and 12:15 p.m.

 

On May 5, 2021, criminal charges were presented to the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office on Caleb Ollis and Cody Phillips. Probable Cause was developed indicating they committed the felony offense of Stealing after removing two catalytic converters from vehicles parked on the property of AT&T Mobility located at 3028 S. Fremont. The offense occurred on April 15, 2021, between 4:10 a.m. and 4:24 a.m.

In addition to the previously mentioned case, investigators believe Ollis was also involved in the theft of a catalytic converter from a 2006 Ford E350 that was parked at the Indian Summer Pool and Spa located at 2835 E. Division. That crime occurred on Jan. 29, 2021, at 9:40 p.m.

Investigators also believe Ollis had removed a catalytic converter from a Chevrolet C/K 3500 that was parked at the South Campbell Baptist Church located at 935 S. Campbell. That crime occurred sometime between Feb. 1 and Feb. 3, 2021.

 

On May 6, 2021, criminal charges were presented to the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office on Melissa James. Probable Cause was developed indicating that James knowingly participated in the felony theft of a catalytic converter from a Honda Element parked on the lot of Aasby Automotive located at 1022 S. Glenstone. The theft occurred on April 11, 2021, between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

On May 11, 2021, criminal charges were presented to the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office on Glen Creviston. Probable cause was established indicating Creviston committed two separate felony offenses of stealing between Feb. 1, 2021, at 4:00 a.m. and Feb. 3, 2021, at 12:09 p.m. The first of the two incidents occurred at Mark Twain Elementary School located at 2352 S. Weaver. The second incident occurred at 1450 E. Cambridge. Both thefts involved the stealing of catalytic converters.

On May 11, 2021, criminal charges were presented to the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office on John Griffith and Eric Presley. Probable cause was established indicating Griffith and Presley committed two counts of felony stealing after removing catalytic converters from two vehicles between Fed. 11, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. and Feb 21, 2021 at 4:00 a.m. The offenses took place at 3035 N. Kentwood and 3050 N. Kentwood.

Some of the information used to establish probable cause in these cases originated from witness statements and surveillance video. Any information provided by the public could potentially be useful in linking a suspect to the criminal act of stealing a converter. Please note that making a report does not mean an officer will respond to the location. Necessary information can be reported over the phone, by calling the Springfield Police Department directly at 417-864-1810.

Springfield woman sentenced for tax fraud conspiracy

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

A Springfield, Missouri, woman was sentenced in federal court today for her role in a conspiracy, led by a Christian County Jail inmate, to fraudulently claim more than $51,000 in income tax refunds.

Heather Nicole Neal, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to two years and six months in federal prison without parole.

On Sept. 17, 2020, Neal pleaded guilty to her role in a conspiracy to defraud the government. Neal admitted that she conspired with John Dennis Sedersten, an inmate in the Christian County Jail in Ozark, Mo., and other co-conspirators to file fraudulent tax returns. 

All false claims but one were halted by the IRS, and the one refund issued was recovered by law enforcement agents.

Sedersten organized and led the conspiracy from within the jail. He provided his co-conspirators with specific instructions regarding how to complete and file the false federal income tax returns. The fraudulent tax returns included false W-2 information, listing employers who did not employ the individual listed on the return, and reporting wages not earned, employment taxes not withheld, and business expenses not incurred by the individual. Sedersten provided them with the EIN for JDS Enterprises, a company registered to Sedersten, under which they could report the false wages and withholdings.

Neal filed a tax return under her own name that fraudulently claimed a refund of $9,864.

Co-defendant Janet Renea Kirby, 34, of Springfield, has also pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing. Kirby filed a tax return under her own name that fraudulently claimed a refund of $18,427.

Sedersten, who pleaded guilty in a separate but related case, admitted that conspirators filed fraudulent returns that sought a total of $373,372 in refunds. Sedersten was sentenced on Aug. 17, 2016, to six years and six months in federal prison without parole for his role in the conspiracy.


This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey Clark and Steven Mohlhenrich. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.

Springfield Police canine Aries laid to rest

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On Monday, April 26, 2021, 12-year-old Retired Police Service Dog Aries passed away and was laid to rest today at Lakeland Pet Cemetery’s Police Service Dogs area.

Aries was with the Springfield Police Department for five years before retiring on September 9, 2016, due to long-term ailments.

During his career at SPD, Aries was a loyal servant to the department and the community. He made substantial contributions with approximately 764 deployments, locating 23 suspects and making 71 narcotics finds. He also led the department to approximately 80 arrests.

 

In retirement, Aries lived with his handler, Officer Tom Spence, and the Spence family. He led a peaceful life where he enjoyed relaxing with his family, wandering around outside, and watching the kids play.

Aries is remembered as a faithful companion and a true friend.

Springfield man pleads guilty to child pornography charge on day of trial

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

A Springfield, Missouri, man who was scheduled to begin his criminal jury trial today instead pleaded in federal court to receiving child pornography over the internet.

Scott James Wells, 55, withdrew his plea of not guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool in order to enter a nolo contendre, or “no contest,” plea, neither admitting nor disputing the federal charges against him, but acknowledging the government had sufficient evidence to convict him of the crimes charged beyond a reasonable doubt. 

The court found Wells guilty of one count of receiving and distributing child pornography. Wells remains detained in federal custody until his sentencing hearing.

Wells received child pornography over the internet between Dec. 15, 2016, through March 22, 2017. Law enforcement received two CyberTipline reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children after Wells used his Facebook account to transmit two images of child pornography to another Facebook user.

Officers executed a search warrant at Wells’s residence and seized his laptop computer, which contained child pornography.

Under federal statutes, Wells is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of 20 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys James J. Kelleher and Nhan Nguyen. It was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force.

Birthplace of Route 66 Festival will be held this year

 (From the City of Springfield)

After having to cancel the 2020 Birthplace of Route 66 Festival due to the pandemic, festival organizers the City of Springfield, Aaron Sachs & Associates, KY3/KSPR/CW, Downtown Springfield Association and West Central Neighborhood Alliance are thrilled to announce that the festival is BACK ON IN 2021!

The festival will take place Aug. 13 and 14, barring any major negative developments in local COVID-19 case counts and assuming significant continued vaccination progress. 

The City and partners will adhere to any COVID-19 regulations that may still be in place during the festival. Potential attendees from other communities may want to check Springfield-Greene County’s COVID-19 Dashboard when deciding whether to attend. A risk assessment quiz is also available.

Registration links for the car show, the Charity Bike Show and the Gypsy Tour Poker Run to benefit the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association are live at route66festivalsgf.com. The Mother Roadster Foundation will raffle off “The Fezster,” a 1932 Ford Roadster named after the Shriners who have worn the iconic red cap and do so much to help the children at Shriners Hospitals for Children. The 2019 raffle raised more than $40,000 for Shriners Hospitals for Children.

A full lineup of free entertainment is planned, including the Friday parade starting at 6 p.m. at Grant Avenue and College Street traveling east through Park Central Square to St. Louis Street and dispersing at National Avenue. 

Musical acts on Friday evening at the Motorcycle Village Stage at Jefferson Avenue and McDaniel Street begin with Machine Gun Symphony and headliners Sixwire with former guitarist and vocalist for Ted Nugent and Brad Whitford, Derek St. Holmes. 

On Saturday, the concerts kick off with Nathan Bryce and the Loaded Dice, Sequel Dose, the Rosy Hips, the Dirty Saints and headliners Sixwire with former Kansas lead vocalist John Elefante and former Journey lead vocalist Steve Augeri. The Park Central Stage will feature local performers with the lineup TBA.

The festival’s unforgettable Globe of Steel is back this year, along with the Extreme Trampoline Show and Pogo Fred.

The 6.K Run/Walk and the Route 66 Exhibit Hall at The Old Glass Place will return this year. Visit route66festivalsgf.com for registration links.

Food and merchandise vendors interested in having a presence at the festival should email Tom Mast at masterfuleventsmo@gmail.com.

Pre-festival social Aug. 10 on Park Central Square

A pre-festival Andy’s Frozen Custard social to celebrate Missouri’s Bicentennial, hosted by History Museum on the Square, City of Springfield, and the Downtown Springfield Association, is planned for 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 10 on Park Central Square. Entertainment will be provided by The Detectives, Shaun Munday and Central High School's a cappella group the Brotones.

Mother Road to Recovery Fund

In conjunction with the festival, organizers are establishing a Mother Road to Recovery Fund at Community Foundation of the Ozarks and are encouraging donations, which will provide direct employee assistance to health care workers, public school employees, as well as restaurant and entertainment district workers. The need is great, and our community has proven time and again that we can rally for recovery.

Springfield Police investigate homicide at 2214 N. Kellett

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On April 29, 2021, at 12:07 p.m., Springfield Police Officers were dispatched to 2214 N. Kellett in reference to a 911 call of a subject being shot. 

When officers arrived, they found a deceased male outside of the residence who had suffered a gunshot wound.

The victim was identified as Ryan L. King, a 47-year-old male from Springfield, MO. Next of kin notifications have been made.

The Springfield Police Department Violent Crimes Unit identified a suspect in the case as Phillip Gundersen, a 24-year-old male from Long Lane, MO. Gundersen was arrested and booked into the Greene County Jail for 2nd Degree Murder. The case was reviewed with the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office, and there will be no criminal charges filed at this time.

Detectives continue to investigate the case and ask that anyone who has information about this incident to contact the Springfield Police Department at (417) 984-1810 or make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at (417) 869-TIPS (8477).

This incident marks the eighth homicide investigated by SPD in 2021.