Springfield woman killed in crash on Glenstone

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On Thursday, July 29, 2021, at 8:46 p.m., Springfield police were dispatched to 1111 N Glenstone after a car struck a tree.

The initial investigation indicated a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu was traveling at a high rate of speed south on Glenstone from Division. The driver of the Malibu maneuvered between several other vehicles before losing control and veering off the road to the right. The vehicle struck a utility pole, rolled, and then struck a tree in front of Evangel University.

 

The driver, and sole occupant, identified as 32-year-old Leah Renea Gresham from Springfield, was transported to the hospital where she was pronounced dead. Officers have notified Gresham’s family.

Officers with SPD’s Traffic Section are continuing to investigate the circumstances involved in the crash and are asking anyone who has additional information about this incident to contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810.

This is the thirteenth fatality motor vehicle crash in Springfield in 2021.

Springfield Fire Department releases names of fire victims

(From the Springfield Fire Department)

The names of those who lost their lives as a result of a house fire in the Galloway Village neighborhood Friday morning are as follows: Marlana Young, 40, Nevaeh Young, 13, Rapheal (Rayden) Young III, 11, and Samantha Young, 6.

Around 6:30 a.m., July 23, the Springfield Fire Department was dispatched to the 2000 block of South Lone Pine Avenue with reports of multiple residents still inside the home. 

Firefighters arrived to find the home with heavy smoke and fire conditions. They located a 40-year-old female and three children – a 13-year-old girl, an 11-year-old boy and a 6-year-old girl – during search-and-rescue operations. 

All four were provided care by firefighters and EMS on scene and were taken to Cox and Mercy hospitals. The adult and 6-year-old succumbed to their injuries Friday. The other two children passed away Saturday evening.

The fire remains under investigation by the Bureau of Fire Prevention. Additional information will be released as soon as it is available.

Woman, three children dead after Springfield house fire

 

(From the Springfield Fire Department)

Two additional children, a 13-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy, have succumbed to injuries from a Friday house fire in the 2000 block of South Lone Pine Avenue. 

Around 6:30 a.m., July 23, the Springfield Fire Department was dispatched to the scene, with reports of multiple residents still inside the home.

 

Firefighters arrived to find the home with heavy smoke and fire conditions. They located a 40-year-old female and three children – a 13-year-old girl, an 11-year-old boy and a 6-year-old girl – during search-and-rescue operations. 

All four were provided care by firefighters and EMS on scene and were taken to Cox and Mercy hospitals. The adult and 6-year-old succumbed to their injuries Friday. The other two children passed away Saturday evening.

The fire remains under investigation by the Bureau of Fire Prevention. Additional information will be released as soon as it is available.

Police continue investigation into June 24 crash that killed Springfield man

(From the Springfield Police Department)

The investigation continues into a June 24, 2021, fatal two two-car crash that killed 31-year-old Alex Gurley from Springfield.

On June 24th, at 8:53 p.m., Springfield Police were dispatched to the 1800 block of N. Golden Ave. 

The initial investigation indicated that a 1997 Toyota Camry, driven by Mr. Gurley, was going south on Golden Ave. near Thoman St., Mr. Gurley attempted to pass a 2004 BMW 535i that was also traveling south. 

The driver of the BMW then attempted to make a left turn and the two vehicles collided. Mr. Gurley lost control of his car, it overturned, and he was ejected. He was transported to the hospital with serious injuries and died on July 3, 2021.

Mr. Gurley‘s family was contacted and notified.

Officers with the Springfield Police Department’s Traffic Section ask that anyone with information about this incident contact the SPD at 417-864-1810.

This is the twelfth fatality motor vehicle crash in Springfield in 2021.

Four residents hospitalized following Springfield house fire

(From the Springfield Fire Department)

Around 6:30 a.m. the Springfield Fire Department was dispatched to a house fire in the 2000 block of South Lone Pine Avenue with reports of multiple residents still inside the home. 

Firefighters arrived to find the home with heavy smoke and fire conditions. They located four residents during search-and-rescue operations. All four were provided care by firefighters and EMS on scene and were taken to Cox and Mercy hospitals.

The fire remains under investigation. Additional information will be released as soon as it is available.

Everton man pleads guilty to meth conspiracy

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

An Everton, Missouri, man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a conspiracy to distribute large amounts of methamphetamine in the Springfield, Mo., area.

Cheyenne W. Conn, 45, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

By pleading guilty today, Conn admitted that he participated in a drug-trafficking conspiracy from Nov. 22, 2016, to Sept. 26, 2018, and in a money-laundering conspiracy from June 20, 2017, to Dec. 6, 2017.

Conn transported approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine per week by vehicle from California to the Springfield area. He then distributed the methamphetamine to other dealers in the conspiracy. Conn admitted that the drug quantity attributable to him is at least 4.5 kilograms of pure methamphetamine.

Conn also directed others to send wire transfers of the drug-trafficking proceeds to members of the drug-trafficking organization.

Conn was arrested on Nov. 22, 2016, when Greene County, Mo., sheriff’s deputies responded to a report that a truck on Farm Road 124 was unable to maintain lanes, and persons were throwing objects believed to be needles out of the truck. Deputies located the truck, which was being driven by Conn. He jumped out of the truck and was detained while a passenger continued driving the truck. Deputies later found the truck in a ditch at the intersection of State Highway F and State Highway T. A deputy searched the truck and found a Lorcin .22-caliber semi-automatic pistol and a total of 4.27 grams of methamphetamine. Conn had $1,333 in the front pocket of his sweatshirt.

On Dec. 22, 2016, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Conn’s residence and seized a total of 15 grams of methamphetamine, a distributive amount.

On Dec. 10, 2017, Conn was arrested during a traffic stop in Oldham County, Texas. A sheriff’s deputy found $900 in Conn’s pocket and a baggie that contained approximately 6.27 grams of methamphetamine, a distributive amount. The deputy also searched Conn’s vehicle and found a black bag that contained a large amount of money with a note that stated, “$27,000,” a hypodermic needle with a usable amount of methamphetamine, and a 9mm pistol magazine hidden in the left-rear-quarter panel behind the carpet.

On Sept. 22, 2017, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the shop owned by co-defendant Jeremy A. Ingram, 42, of Springfield. Conn and Ingram were present in the garage, where officers seized a loaded Springfield Armory 9mm semi-automatic pistol, 300 rounds of 9mm ammunition, numerous rounds of various caliber ammunition, a lock pick set, and drug paraphernalia. Officers also seized a loaded Ruger 9mm semi-automatic pistol from Conn’s GMC Sierra, which had been reported as stolen.

Conn is one of 12 defendants who have pleaded guilty in this case, including Ingram, Larry E Stapp, 42, Tresha R. Ahart, 31, Megan L McNary, 27, Lonnie J. Tinker, 36, Laurie B. Holmes, 39, and Cassidy R. Clayton, 25, all of Springfield; Ginger L. Huerta, also known as Ginger L. Gray, 41, of Halfway, Mo.; Lloyd R. Bradley, 44, of Fordland, Mo.; Shelby R. Maupin, 32, of Ozark, Mo.; and Summerlee M. Barnett, also known as Summerlee M. Lacount, 35, of Salem, Mo.

Under federal statutes, Conn is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life 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. Attorney Jessica R. Sarff. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Dade County, Missouri, Sheriff’s Department, and the Oldham County, Texas, Sheriff’s Department.

Florida man arrested for February 6 murder of Springfield man

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On July 21, 2021, officers with the Springfield Police Department arrested Thomas Haynes, a 45-year-old male from Florida, for the Feb. 6, 2021 murder of Robert Moffett, 32, from Springfield.

On July 22nd the case was presented to the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office and Thomas Haynes was charged with 2nd Degree Murder.

On Feb. 6, 2021, at 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. SPD Violent Crimes Unit detectives identified Thomas Haynes as a suspect during the investigation.

The Greene County Prosecutor’s Office cautions that the charges contained in the felony complaint are merely allegations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

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

Springfield Police continue investigation into July 11 pedestrian fatality

(From the Springfield Police Department)

The Springfield Police Department’s Traffic Section continues to investigate a pedestrian fatality that occurred on July 11, 2021, at the intersection of Sunshine St. and Moore Road. Officers were called to the intersection at 1:57 a.m. after two vehicles struck a pedestrian.

The initial investigation indicated the pedestrian was walking south across Sunshine St. near Moore Road. A 2015 Subaru Forester was traveling west on Sunshine approaching Moore Road and struck the pedestrian in the roadway. 

A second vehicle traveling behind the Subaru also struck the pedestrian. The pedestrian was transported to the hospital where he later died. The driver of the Subaru was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated.

Officers identified the pedestrian 30-year-old Jose Maiano Tumax-Sapon from Springfield. Detectives were recently able to contact and notify his family.

Anyone with information about this incident should contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810.

This is the eleventh fatality motor vehicle crash in Springfield in 2021.

Ozark man pleads guilty to assaulting mail carrier

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

An Ozark, Missouri, man pleaded guilty in federal court today to assaulting a postal carrier who was delivering his mail.

Peter Harrington, 55, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to one count of assaulting an employee of the United States.

By pleading guilty today, Harrington admitted that he assaulted a U.S. Postal carrier on Dec. 4, 2020. 

As the carrier stopped to deliver mail to the assisted living facility where Harrington resided, Harrington charged toward him, demanding his mail. Harrington began hitting and striking the postal carrier in the head. The carrier turned towards his mail truck and tried to cover up to protect himself, but Harrington continued to strike him repeatedly. When the carrier gave Harrington his mail, Harrington was angry that he only received one envelope and walked away while being verbally belligerent.

An Ozark police officer observed bloody abrasions and contusions to the postal carrier’s ears, face, and the back of his left hand.

Under federal statutes, Harrington is subject to a sentence of up to 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. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Ozark, Mo., Police Department.

Springfield man charged with bank robbery

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

A Springfield, Missouri, man who was identified when his photo was broadcast by local TV stations was charged in federal court today with bank robbery.

Charles Edgar King Jr., 56, was charged in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Springfield, Mo., on Tuesday, July 20. His initial court appearance was held today and King remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing on Monday, July 26.

The federal criminal complaint alleges that King used a note to steal $8,815 from Guaranty Bank, 2109 N. Glenstone Ave., in Springfield, on July 10, 2021.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, King entered the bank at about 10:30 a.m. and went straight to a teller counter, where he handed the teller a handwritten note that read, “I have a gun this is a robbery.” The teller handed over cash, the affidavit says, and King left the bank and walked away through a parking lot.

Surveillance cameras in the bank captured good quality video, which allegedly show King, who was not wearing a mask, and images of his bare hands that show a tattoo of a cross on the back of his right middle finger. On the same day as the robbery, July 10, 2021, the FBI released one of the surveillance images to the media and requested assistance from the public in identifying the bank robber. King’s former probation officer saw the media coverage and contacted the FBI the same day and identified King, the affidavit says.

On July 19, 2021, an anonymous source contacted law enforcement with a tip that King was staying at the Springfield Inn near Kearney and North Glenstone in Springfield. Springfield police detectives and FBI agents conducted surveillance on the hotel and saw King leave the hotel driving a purple Scion Cube with no license plate. Springfield police officers conducted a car stop and detained King on an investigative arrest for robbery.

According to the affidavit, King told an FBI agent that he used the stolen money to buy the used Scion Cube for $2,400, and that he gave some of the money away and spent the rest.

The charge contained in this complaint is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge 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 Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the Springfield, Mo., Police Department and the FBI.

Springfield man killed in motorcycle crash

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On Sunday, July 11, 2021, at 2:34 p.m., officers with the Springfield Police Department responded to the 1600 block of South Meadowview Ave. regarding a single-vehicle crash.

A 2005 Suzuki motorcycle, driven by 41-year-old Johnny Adam Boyd from Springfield, was traveling westbound on Stanford St. approaching Meadowview Ave. 

Boyd lost control of his motorcycle and left the roadway, striking a wooden privacy fence. Mr. Boyd received significant injuries and was transported to a local hospital where he died on Friday, July 16th. Next of kin has been notified.

This is the tenth fatal motor vehicle crash in Springfield in 2021.

Three-year-old Nixa boy drowns on Table Rock Lake

A three-year-old Nixa boy drowned 8:55 p.m. Sunday in the Mill Creek Park swim area on Table Rock Lake.

According to the Highway Patrol report, the boy was left unattended, went into the lake and was later found floating.

Dr. Lane Garner at Cox Hospital, Branson, pronounced the child dead at 10:07 p.m.

The drowning was the 12th this year for Highway Patrol Troop D. 

Springfield man shot to death at Walmart Neighborhood Market

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On July 14, 2021, at 12:21 p.m., Springfield Police were dispatched to the Walmart Neighborhood Market at 1320 S. Glenstone after a 911 caller reported that a male subject had been shot. When officers arrived, they found a male in front of the business who had suffered a gunshot wound. The male received medical attention on scene but succumbed to his injuries.

The victim was identified as Tanner L. Stichka, a 33-year-old male from Springfield, MO. Mr. Stichka’s next of kin has been notified.

 

The Springfield Police Department identified a suspect in the case as Robert D. Weiser, a 45-year-old male from Bentonville, AR. Weiser was arrested and booked into the jail for 2nd Degree Murder. The case will be reviewed by the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office to determine if charges will be filed.

Detectives continue to investigate and are asking anyone who has information about this incident to contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810.

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

Merriam Woods man pleads guilty to sexual assaulting children, producing child pornography

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

A Merriam Woods, Missouri, man pleaded guilty in federal court today to sexually assaulting two young children to produce child pornography, and to receiving and distributing child pornography, after his wife pleaded guilty to the same charges last month.

Mark John Millman, 37, a citizen of Great Britain and a legal alien resident, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to one count of the sexual exploitation of minors and one count of receiving and distributing child pornography.

Millman’s wife and co-defendant, Tara Sau Millman, 41, pleaded guilty to the same charges on June 30, 2021. Both Mark and Tara Millman have been in federal custody since their arrest and remain detained without bail.

The Millmans admitted that Mark used Tara’s iPhone to record video of her performing a sexual act on a 2-year-old child, identified in court documents as John Doe. Mark Millman admitted that he sexually assaulted a 4-year-old child victim, identified in court documents as Jane Doe, which was also recorded on video. Investigators found images and videos of child pornography on the Millmans’ iPhones, including files that depicted the Millmans sexually assaulting both child victims.

Mark and Tara Millman each admitted they used a social media application to share child pornography over the internet, and that they viewed child pornography together.

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. Many users were actively involved in the distribution of child pornography. The child pornography distributed within the chat included 129 video files, 324 image files, and 43 cloud-storage weblinks which contained files of child pornography.

Mark Millman’s email was identified among the registered users of the chat room, and a search warrant was executed at the Millmans’ residence in Taney County, Mo., on Jan. 28, 2021.

Under federal statutes, Mark and Tara Millman each are subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of 50 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 defendants will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing hearings will be scheduled upon the completion of presentence investigations by the United States Probation Office.

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 motorcycle crash at Kearney and National

On July 11, 2021, at 5:07 p.m., officers with the Springfield Police Department responded to the intersection of Kearney and National regarding a motor vehicle crash.

A 2009 Yamaha R1 motorcycle, driven by 36-year-old Thomas Witt from Springfield, MO, was traveling east on Kearney approaching National. 

At the intersection, the motorcycle struck the side of a southbound 2002 Pontiac Sunfire. Lifesaving efforts were attempted, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Mr. Witt’s next of kin have been notified.

The investigation is ongoing as to the circumstances involved in the crash, although impairment is not believed to be a factor.

This is the ninth fatal motor vehicle crash in Springfield in 2021.

 

U. S. Marshals, Police capture man accused of armed rape of Springfield woman

(From the U. S. Marshals Service)

U.S. Marshals and Springfield Police detectives arrested a Springfield man on Friday for charges stemming from an armed rape earlier this month. 

On July 2nd, Greene County prosecutors charged Deshields Dixon, age 29 of Springfield, with multiple crimes including Rape, Robbery, and Armed Criminal Action. 

Dixon’s charges derive from the armed rape of a Springfield woman earlier this month, in a case investigated by the Springfield Police Department. 

The U.S. Marshals Service-Midwest Violent Fugitive Task Force joined the hunt for Dixon on July 6th. Clues led task force investigators to an apartment near National and Cherry streets in Springfield. 

On Friday evening, Marshals Service investigators along with detectives from the Springfield Police-Special Investigations Unit took Dixon into custody without incident. Officers booked Dixon into the Greene County Jail on Friday evening pending initial court hearings in the matter. 

“This case was a priority for the Marshals Service,” said Mark James, U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Missouri. “Dixon is a predator, and Springfield is a safer place to live with him behind bars.”

Criminal charges filed in W. Chestnut homicide

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On February 1, 2021, at approximately 6:13 p.m., Springfield Police Department officers were dispatched to 2808 W. Chestnut St. due to a 911 caller stating two subjects had been shot. Officers arrived and located two adult males who had suffered 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 on scene, but he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.

The deceased person was identified as Chandler Sweaney, a 23-year-old male from Springfield, Missouri. Next of kin notifications were made to Mr. Sweaney’s family.

 

The Springfield Police Department Violent Crimes Unit has worked extensively on the case and identified three suspects: Paul Morales, a 28-year-old male, Timothy Johnson, a 32-year-old male, and Rickey Rose, a 34-year-old male. All three males are from Springfield, Missouri.

On July 6, 2021 the case was presented to the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office. Paul Morales was charged with 2nd Degree Murder, Armed Criminal Action, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm. Timothy Johnson was charged with Felony Murder for Death in Attempted Delivery of Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, and 1st Degree Assault. Johnson was also charged with Armed Criminal Action, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, and 1st Degree Assault. Rickey Rose was charged with Felony Murder for Death in Attempted Delivery of Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.

Morales, Johnson, and Rose were already in custody at the Greene County Jail for other unrelated charges. All three suspects are now being held without bond on these charges.

The Greene County Prosecutor’s Office cautions that the charges contained in the felony complaint are merely allegations and that the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

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).

Buffalo sex offender sentenced to 24 years on child pornography charge

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

A Buffalo, Missouri, man who is a registered sex offender has been sentenced in federal court for receiving and distributing child pornography.

Eddie Feck, 45, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann A. Ketchmark on Thursday, July 1, to 24 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Feck to spend the rest of his life on supervised release following incarceration.

On Feb. 11, 2021, Feck pleaded guilty to receiving and distributing child pornography. Feck has a prior conviction for sodomizing an 11-year-old child (for which he served the entirety of his sentence because he refused to participate in sexual offender treatment), as well as an extensive criminal history.

The investigation began when a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper received a Cybertipline Report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children on Jan. 13, 2020. That report was generated after Feck uploaded five images of child pornography to BingImage.

Law enforcement officers identified Feck as the BingImage account holder and executed a search warrant at Feck’s residence on Feb. 11, 2020. Upon arrival, the investigators located Feck’s computer, which was in the process of downloading suspected child pornography from the internet. Investigators found approximately 35 images of child pornography on Feck’s digital storage devices.

Feck confessed that he employed a variety of programs to access and view child pornography.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Springfield man sentenced to 30 years for sexually exploiting minor to produce child pornography

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

A Springfield, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for sexually exploiting a minor to produce child pornography.

Anthony Thompson, 40, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to 30 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Thompson to spend 10 years on supervised release following incarceration.

On Oct. 19, 2020, Thompson pleaded guilty to one count of the sexual exploitation of a minor. Thompson admitted that he victimized a minor in to produce child pornography on July 1, 2018.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by the Springfield, Mo., Police Department and the FBI.