Republic man pleads guilty to meth trafficking

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

A Republic, Missouri, man who led law enforcement officers on a high-speed chase pleaded guilty in federal court today to possessing methamphetamine to distribute.

Heath E. Yarger, 49, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.

By pleading guilty today, Yarger admitted that he was in possession of approximately 336 grams of methamphetamine when he was arrested on Dec. 21, 2020. 

A Christian County, Mo., sheriff’s deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop of Yarger, who was driving a Chevrolet Silverado on Highway CC near Carnegie Road. Yarger failed to yield, however, and a pursuit ensued. Stop sticks were deployed and disabled the two passenger side tires. 

The pursuit continued onto northbound Highway 160 as Yarger reached speeds of 100 miles per hour and began to swerve and travel in the middle of the roadway, nearly striking multiple other vehicles. The pursuit continued through several residential streets before returning to Highway 160. 

The pursuit ended near the intersection of Campbell Avenue and Primrose Street in Springfield, Mo. Yarger ran from the vehicle and was arrested.

Officers found a plastic bag that contained approximately 44.2 grams of methamphetamine in Yarger’s left jacket pocket. Officers searched his vehicle and found two plastic bags that contained an approximate total of 291.8 grams of methamphetamine.

Under federal statutes, Yarger 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 Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron A. Beaver. It was investigated by the Christian County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Fallen Independence police officer donates kidney to Springfield officer

(From the Springfield Police Department)

Two Missouri police officers never got to meet but will forever be connected after the sacrifice of one, grants hope of a second chance to the other.

On Sept. 15, 2021, Independence, MO Police Officer Blaize Madrid-Evans, (pictured top left) was shot and killed in the line of duty. Officer Madrid-Evans was an organ donor and Springfield, MO Police Officer Mark Priebe, who was severely injured in the line of duty in 2020, needed a new kidney. The two were a match.

Early in the morning on Sept. 17th, the Priebe family was notified of the news, and the surgery to place the kidney was the following evening (Sept. 18th) in St. Louis.

Officer Madrid-Evans was 22 years old and recently began his career with the Independence Police Department after graduating from the police academy in July of this year. During Officer Madrid-Evans’ short time at the department, his fellow officers say he was excited to be out in the community, was eager to help and always had a smile on his face.

Sunday afternoon Officer Priebe woke up from the operation with new hope. “I am forever grateful to Officer Madrid-Evans and his family for providing this direct donation,” Officer Priebe said. “I truly believe God had his hand in this and it's been difficult to comprehend why I am allowed to continue to live, and this young, brand new officer had to pay the ultimate sacrifice. I hope that I can honor him and his family by the way I live my life."

On June 9, 2020, Officer Priebe, a husband, father of two and a 21-year veteran of the Springfield Police Department, was left paralyzed after being intentionally struck by a vehicle outside of police headquarters. Just over a year later, in June 2021, he learned that his kidneys were failing and the next month he began dialysis.

"Sept. 18th was National Thank A Police Officer Day. It was also the day that Mark was the recipient of a new kidney,” said Officer Priebe’s wife, Heather. “We are still emotional from this whole situation, as you can imagine, and this is part of our journey that you cannot make up. Mark has once again been given a second chance, thanks to a member of our thin blue line family. We hope we have the opportunity to meet Officer Madrid-Evans’ family in the near future and we pray for them as they navigate through the days ahead."

You can continue to follow Officer Priebe’s journey and recovery on Facebook and support for Officer Madrid-Evans can be directed toward the Independence Police Foundation, which is accepting donations on behalf of his family.

Republic man sentenced to 25 years for transporting two teenagers, sexually assaulting them

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

A Republic, Missouri, truck driver was sentenced in federal court today for transporting two Missouri teenagers across state lines and sexually assaulting them.

Cleveland Lee Crumsey, 38, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to 25 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Crumsey to spend the rest of his life on supervised release following incarceration.

On March 13, 2020, Crumsey pleaded guilty to one count of transporting a minor across state lines to engage in criminal sexual activity. Crumsey admitted that he transported two child victims across state lines from Missouri to Iowa in his truck. Crumsey also admitted that he had sexual intercourse with both of the child victims. According to court documents, one of the victims was 16 years old and the second victim was 17 years old.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, the Monett, Mo., Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Fremont County, Iowa, Sheriff’s Department.

Springfield teacher sentenced to 41 years for sexually exploiting students

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

A Springfield, Missouri, man who worked as a teacher in China was sentenced in federal court today for sexually exploiting one of his former students by attempting to blackmail her into sending him pornographic images.

Curtis J. Baldwin, 48, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to 41 years and eight months in federal prison without parole. The Court also sentenced Baldwin to spend the rest of his life on supervised release after incarceration.

On Oct. 5, 2020, Baldwin pleaded guilty to one count of the sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of receiving and distributing child pornography.

Baldwin worked as an English language teacher in China. Baldwin left his employment on Nov. 20, 2019. After he returned to Springfield, he contacted a 12-year-old former student, identified in court documents as Jane Doe, via the WeChat application. Baldwin told Jane Doe he had video footage that showed her engaged in sexually explicit conduct and threatened to post the video on the Internet unless she sent him additional images and a video of herself engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Jane Doe’s father saw the WeChat messages and contacted authorities at the language school, who relayed the information to the FBI for investigation.

On March 10, 2020, federal agents executed a search warrant at Baldwin’s residence. Multiple items were seized, including Baldwin’s Apple MacBook Pro, which contained files of child pornography. Multiple videos of minor Chinese females engaged in sexually explicit conduct that had been produced by Baldwin were among the files. The minor Chinese females were students of Baldwin. The files also contained a sexually explicit video titled “My First Project,” created by Baldwin of a minor female in Springfield.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by the FBI and the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crime Task Force.

Suspect sought in murder of Marionville man

(From the Aurora and Marionville Police Department)

The following information is intended to update a previous press release related to an active homicide investigation from 406 S. Central, Marionville, MO.

Following next of kin notifications, the victim of the homicide is identified as 50-year-old Jess Davis of Marionville, Missouri. He is the owner of the property located at 406 S. Central, Marionville, MO.

 
The Aurora and Marionville Police Department is currently seeking charges of Murder and Armed Criminal Action for the murder of Jess Davis. The suspect is identified as Jamie Lee Godfrey, (pictured) a white male known to frequent the Aurora and Marionville area.

If anyone has information as to Godfrey’s whereabouts, you are encouraged to contact the Aurora and Marionville Police Department. Your call will remain confidential. Godfrey is considered dangerous and should not be approached by anyone outside of law enforcement. The police department is actively investigating leads as to his whereabouts. 

Wes Coatney
Chief of Police

Previous news release

On 09-14-2021 at approximately 11:43pm, Officers with the Aurora and Marionville Police Department were dispatched to 406 S. Central in Marionville, Missouri in reference to a disturbance. 

Upon arrival, a deceased 50 year old white adult male was located inside the residence. It appeared he had suffered numerous laceration injuries. His name is not being released at this time.

 
The Aurora and Marionville Police Department is working in conjunction with the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department on this active investigation. More details will be released at a later time.

Free fishing day for veterans scheduled at Roaring River State Park

(From Missouri State Parks)

Staff members at Roaring River State Park invite veterans to a day of free fishing from 7:30 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18. This is the third year of the event and any individual with a veteran status will be welcome to fish inside the park for free all day.

The public is strongly encouraged to follow social-distancing guidelines and be proactive in protecting themselves and others.

Roaring River State Park is located seven miles south of Cassville on Highway 112 in Barry County. For more information about the event, contact the park office at 417-847-2539.

For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Billings woman killed in motorcycle crash on I-44

 A Billings woman was killed in a one-vehicle accident 8:17 p.m. Sunday on I-44 in Mount Vernon.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2004 Honda CBR 600 motorcycle driven by Tiffanie M. Keithley, 30, Billings, ran off the roadway and struck the median.

Lawrence County Coroner Scott Lakin pronounced Keithley dead at 10:30 p.m.

The fatality was the 92nd this year for Highway Patrol Troop D.

Seymour teen killed in fiery crash

A Seymour teen was killed in a one-vehicle accident 1 a.m. today on Oaklawn Road, two miles east of Seymour.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2002 Chevrolet driven by a 17-year-old Seymour boy, failed to negotiate a curve, traveled off the roadway, struck a fence and tree and became engulfed in flames.

Webster County Coroner Michael Taylor pronounced the boy dead at the scene at 2:30 a.m.

The fatality was the 90th this year for Highway Patrol Troop D.

 

Springfield woman sentenced to 15 years for meth 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 to distribute large amounts of methamphetamine.

Cassidy R. Clayton, 25, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 15 years in federal prison without parole.

On Oct. 31, 2019, Clayton pleaded guilty to participating in the drug-trafficking conspiracy from Nov. 22, 2016, to Sept. 26, 2018. Clayton also pleaded guilty to participating in a money-laundering conspiracy.

Clayton admitted she received methamphetamine directly from co-defendant Cheyenne W. Conn, 45, of Everton, Mo. 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, including Clayton, who in turn distributed methamphetamine to other dealers.

Clayton admitted that she received methamphetamine on 10 occasions. On three of those occasions, she received a quarter pound, and the other times, she received less than four ounces. Clayton was arrested when she arrived at the location where law enforcement officers were executing a search warrant on Sept. 22, 2017. Inside Clayton’s purse, officers found .25 grams of methamphetamine inside a plastic bag, a glass methamphetamine pipe, three syringes loaded with an off-white liquid, and a loaded Kahr .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol.

Clayton is the fourth defendant to be sentenced in this case. Jeremy A. Ingram, 42, Laurie B. Holmes, 39, and Lonnie J. Tinker, 36, all of Springfield, were sentenced on Aug. 5, 2021. Ingram was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison without parole. Holmes was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison without parole. Tinker was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison without parole.

Conn is among nine defendants who have pleaded guilty in this case and await sentencing: Larry E Stapp, 42, Tresha R. Ahart, 31, and Megan L McNary, 27, 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.

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.

Springfield woman pleads guilty to sex trafficking a child

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

A Springfield, Missouri, woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to her role in the sex trafficking of a child.

Danna Marie Rodriguez, 36, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to one count of the sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of the sex trafficking of a minor.

By pleading guilty today, Rodriguez admitted that she was involved in prostituting a 15-year-old female, identified in court documents as “Jane Doe 1.” 

Rodriguez took sexually explicit photos of Jane Doe 1, which were sold to another person. Rodriguez also admitted that she gave ecstasy to the child victim prior to the child victim meeting an unidentified man for sex at a local hotel, for which the child victim was paid $70. Rodriguez and her partner kept the rest of the payment.

Under federal statutes, Rodriguez is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 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 Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, and the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.

Assault victim dies at Springfield hospital, murder charge filed

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On Aug. 31, 2021, the victim from an Aug. 25th assault, identified as 74-year-old Larry E. Woods from Springfield, MO, died from his injuries in a local hospital. Notifications have been made to Mr. Woods’ family.

On Aug. 25, 2021, at approximately 4:20 a.m., the Springfield Police Department was dispatched to the Cedar Knoll Apartment Complex at 500 W. Walnut Lawn St. in response to a 911 caller stating a person had been assaulted. When officers arrived, they located Mr. Woods with multiple injuries. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

 

During their investigation, the Springfield Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit identified Jacob DeJong (pictured), a 23-year-old male from Springfield, MO, as a suspect. On Aug. 31, 2021, detectives arrested DeJong and booked him into the Greene County Jail.

The case was presented to the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office and on Sept. 1, 2021, DeJong was charged with 2nd Degree Murder with bond set at $250,000.

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 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 17th homicide for 2021.

Springfield Police investigate double-fatality crash at Cherry and Glenstone

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On Aug. 27, 2021, at 9:42 p.m., Springfield police were dispatched to the intersection of Cherry and Glenstone for a traffic crash involving two motor vehicles and a semi-truck tractor-trailer.

The initial investigation indicates a Nissan pick-up was traveling through the intersection at Cherry and Glenstone when it struck a Kia Soul. 

The force of the impact propelled the Kia into the windshield and cab of a southbound semi-truck. The semi-truck driver was pronounced dead at the scene and the driver of the Kia was transported to the hospital where she later died. The driver of the Nissan was transported to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

The Springfield Police Department’s Traffic Unit responded to conduct the investigation. Impairment of the driver of the Nissan pick-up was believed to be a factor and investigators are awaiting toxicology results.

The driver of the semi-truck was identified as Felix Gonzalez, a 57-year-old male from Springfield. The driver of the Kia Soul was identified as Amber Kendall, a 25-year-old female from Springfield. Notifications have been made to both victims’ families.

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

This motor vehicle crash marks the eighteenth and nineteenth traffic fatalities in Springfield in 2021.

Springfield man sentenced to 15 years on meth trafficking, weapons charges

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

A Springfield, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and for illegally possessing a firearm.

Maxwell L. Fleming, 25, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 15 years in federal prison without parole.

On April 7, 2021, Fleming pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. Fleming admitted that he participated in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Greene County, Mo., from April 7, 2019, to July 25, 2019. Fleming admitted that he possessed a firearm on July 24, 2019.

The Springfield Police Department’s special response team and narcotics enforcement team executed a search warrant at a Springfield residence on July 11, 2019. Officers found a total of more than 400 grams of methamphetamine in several locations inside the residence, as well as a Cobra handgun in Fleming’s backpack, $1,980 on the living room coffee table, and drug paraphernalia.

On July 24, 2019, law enforcement officers contacted Fleming after receiving information from a confidential informant that he was going to resupply. Detectives seized a Kel-Tec 9mm firearm from Fleming’s holster and a package that contained approximately two ounces of methamphetamine from Fleming’s pocket. Detectives also found $389 on Fleming, who was arrested. Fleming told officers he usually bought two ounces of methamphetamine at a time for $375, and that he had done so 10 or 12 times.

Detectives also searched Fleming’s residence and found another firearm and some marijuana. According to court documents, Fleming was initially released on bond; however, his bond was later revoked because he used drugs.

Fleming obtained methamphetamine from co-defendant Donna Bell, 46, of Springfield. On July 25, 2019, officers searched Bell’s hotel room and found 424 grams of methamphetamine.

Bell was sentenced on Oct. 28, 2020, to 10 years in federal prison without parole after pleading guilty to her role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy. Co-defendant Brian L. Letterman, 34, of Springfield, pleaded guilty on Aug. 11, 2021, to his role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and awaits sentencing.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Josephine L. Stockard. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.