U. S. Marshals, Greene County deputies arrest fugitive wanted on weapons, drug charges

(From the U. S. Marshals Service)

U.S. Marshals and the Greene County Sheriff’s Department arrested a fugitive on Tuesday after a brief foot pursuit through a south Springfield neighborhood. 

Dereck Ray Owens faces multiple felony charges in Webster and Greene Counties, including multiple counts of weapons, drugs, and forgery.

On November 15th, the U.S. Marshals Service Midwest Violent Fugitive Task Force joined the hunt for Owens. 

On Tuesday, U.S. Marshals and detectives from the Greene County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Unit located Owens seated on a motorcycle near 800 S. Oak Park in Springfield. 

As they approached, Owens fled on foot with deputies in close pursuit. Deputies caught Owens a short time later without further incident. Owens is believed to be responsible for at least two stolen vehicles recovered from the scene, including the motorcycle. 

“Owens is charged with multiple weapon and drug charges stemming from a two-county crime spree in Southwest Missouri,” said Mark James, U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Missouri. “I’m thankful he was arrested without further danger to the community or our law enforcement officers.”

Springfield man shot to death, police question suspect

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On November 21, 2021, at approximately 11:35 a.m., the Springfield Police Department was dispatched to 802 E. Morningside St. due to a 911 caller stating a male had been shot at their residence during a disturbance. When officers arrived, they located a male that was suffering from a gunshot wound.

The victim, identified as 38-year-old Mathew Turner, from Springfield, MO, succumbed to his injuries on scene. Notifications have been made to Mr. Turner’s family.

 

During the investigation, the Springfield Police Department identified a suspect in the case. The suspect has been interviewed; however, no arrest has been made at this time. 

Once the investigation is complete, the case will be forwarded to the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office for review and a decision regarding any criminal charges to 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 or make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 417-869-TIPS (8477).

This incident marks the 23rd homicide for 2021.

Ash Grove woman indicted for embezzling $362,000 from Springfield company

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

An Ash Grove, Missouri, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for a wire fraud scheme in which she embezzled more than $362,000 from her Springfield, Mo., employer.

Carrie Leigh Long, 52, was charged in a 24-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo., on Wednesday, Nov. 17. That indictment was unsealed and made public today upon Long’s arrest and initial court appearance.

Long was employed by Executive Coach Builders, Inc. to provide in-house accounting services to the company and to Executive Bus Builders, Inc. The companies are headquartered in Springfield but do business worldwide with factories and sales offices in Missouri and California. The companies build luxury buses, coaches, and limousines. Long was hired in April 2014.

The federal indictment alleges that Long stole at least $362,175 from the companies from February 2016 to September 2020. Long is also charged with filing false tax returns that failed to report that income, as well as failing to pay approximately $902,226 of employment taxes the companies owed to the IRS.

Long allegedly used her position as an in-house accountant for the companies, and her access to the companies’ check stock, to regularly write checks against the companies’ bank accounts for unauthorized payments to herself. The indictment also alleges that Long stole money from the companies by filling in unauthorized amounts on some pre-signed checks and making such checks payable to herself. Long also allegedly stole money from the companies by forging signatures on the companies’ checks, filling in unauthorized amounts on the checks, and making such checks payable to herself.

As part of the scheme, the indictment says, Long did not claim the unauthorized payments as personal income on her individual income tax returns from 2016 through 2020.

Beginning in April 2019, Long allegedly ceased to make regular payments to IRS for the employment taxes the companies owed the IRS. Long concealed her actions from company officials, the indictment says, by altering the companies’ bank account statements and misrepresenting on her financial reports that the payments had been made. Long caused the companies to fail to pay over to the IRS approximately $902,226 of taxes owed to the IRS for two quarters of 2019 and one quarter of 2020.

When an agent from the Internal Revenue Service attempted to collect those delinquent tax payments, the indictment says, Long falsely claimed they had been paid and provided altered bank account statements.

The federal indictment charges Long with 17 counts of wire fraud, six counts of failure to pay employment taxes, one count of obstructing the administration of internal revenue laws, and five counts of filing a false tax return.

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 Shannon Kempf. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and the FBI.

Aurora man sentenced to 15 years on illegal firearms charge

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

An Aurora, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing firearms after leading law enforcement officers on a high-speed chase from Bolivar, Mo., to Springfield, Mo.

Milton W. Sparks, 38, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 15 years in federal prison without parole.

On April 15, 2021, Sparks pleaded guilty to two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Sparks admitted that he was in possession of a Ruger 9mm handgun on Dec. 20, 2017. Law enforcement officers attempted to stop Sparks, who was driving a stolen Dodge Challenger. Sparks fled from officers at speeds up to 128 miles per hour. 

At one point, Sparks changed into the right lane of Highway 13 and cut off a dump truck. The right rear tire of the Charger exploded, but Sparks continued driving at about 100 miles per hour. Sparks fled from Bolivar, Mo., to a residential neighborhood in Springfield, Mo., despite officers deploying two tire deflation devices. 

After running numerous red lights, the Charger driven by Sparks struck the driver’s side of a Chevrolet pickup. Sparks continued driving about 12 more minutes, when he jumped out of the vehicle while it was still running, and began running on foot between houses. Sparks was found hiding under a porch and was arrested. Officers later found the handgun, with a loaded magazine, on the side of the highway where Sparks had thrown it during the pursuit.

Sparks also admitted that he was in possession of a Llama .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol on March 1, 2017. An employee of the Quality Inn in Springfield alerted the police about a noticeable amount of traffic coming and going from the room rented by Sparks, which is consistent with drug activity. 

According to court documents, the room’s toilet was flushed multiple times while police were outside the room and a police canine detected the scent of drugs near the toilet, indicating that a large amount of drugs was likely flushed during the delay in opening the door. Sparks jumped from a second-floor window of the room and attempted to flee. However, he landed near two police officers, who detained him. Sparks had $1,203 and two cell phones in his possession. When officers searched the hotel room, they found another $3,049, trace amounts of methamphetamine, and the loaded pistol hidden behind the removable panels around a Jacuzzi tub.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Sparks has prior felony convictions for assault (in which he struck another man and knocked out his two front teeth), assault on a law enforcement officer (in which he struck a police vehicle while trying to flee in a stolen vehicle, and injured two officers), and involuntary manslaughter.

According to court documents, the involuntary manslaughter conviction resulted from an incident on Aug. 22, 2010. Police officers responded to a report of an unknown male who had forced entry into a home. Investigators eventually determined the man had come to the home looking for someone and forced his way inside. Sparks admitted to causing the man’s death by punching him while another person restrained him in a chokehold.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Josephine L. Stockard and James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Bolivar man killed crashing into tree

A Bolivar man was killed in a one-vehicle crash 7 a.m. Friday on 455th Road, four miles east of Bolivar.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2006 GMC Sierra driven by Dennis W. Inglis, 52, Bolivar, traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a tree.

Polk County Coroner Jeff Witt pronounced Inglis dead at 7:41 a.m.

The fatality was the 121st this year for Highway Patrol Troop D.

 

Seligman man killed in crash near Cassville

A Seligman man was killed in a one-vehicle accident 9:30 a.m. Friday on Route F, six miles southeast of Cassville.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2008 Dodge Caliber driven by Bradley M. Hufford, 41, Seligman, traveled off the right side of the road and struck a rock bluff causing the vehicle to overturn.

Hufford was pronounced dead by Dr. Lewis at Mercy Hospital at 11:13 a.m.

The fatality was the 122nd this year for Highway Patrol Troop D.

Lebanon man shot to death by Springfield officers after shooting Greene County park ranger

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On November 11, 2021, at approximately 9:39 p.m., Springfield Police Officers were dispatched to Downing Street Pour House located at 1724 E. Battlefield for a check a person call. 

A male subject at the location was reported to be intoxicated and causing a disturbance. The male left the location when 911 was called. Information was provided to 911 that the male ran to the east side of Barnes & Noble located at 3055 S. Glenstone, and a witness reported the male was armed with a handgun.

Officers observed the male hiding in some bushes on the southeast corner of Barnes & Noble. Officers began forming a perimeter around the business in preparation to contact the male. A Springfield-Greene County Park Ranger responded to the call to assist. 

The Park Ranger drove to the east side of the business where the male fired multiple gunshots at the Park Ranger. The Park Ranger was struck by several bullets. 

Springfield Police Officers who were positioned on the south side of the business observed the shots being fired. Two Springfield Police Officers returned fire and shot the suspect. The Park Ranger was transported to a local hospital for treatment, and his injuries are not considered life-threatening. The male suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The deceased male was identified as Seth S. Rynio, a 21-year-old male from Lebanon, Missouri. Next of kin notifications have been made to Rynio’s family.

Both Springfield Police Department 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 determination of any criminal charges.

Springfield-Greene County Park Rangers are law enforcement officers, commissioned through the Greene County Sheriff’s Office and dispatched through Springfield-Greene County 9-1-1. Park Rangers have jurisdiction in both the city and county, not limited to parks. While on patrol, rangers often provide backup to officers with Springfield Police, Greene County Sheriff, area School Resource Officers, Springfield Airport Police and other agencies within Greene County.

The Springfield Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division is 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).

This incident marks the 22nd homicide for 2021.

Springfield Police searching for assault suspect last seen wearing navy blue sports bra and pink floral leggings

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On November 8th, 2021, at 5:41 p.m., Springfield Police were dispatched to the 1100 block of E. Meadowmere for the report of a female being assaulted. 

When officers arrived, they contacted the female victim who had sustained facial injuries. The victim stated she had been assaulted by an unknown female who then left the area. The victim was treated on scene by medical personnel for her injuries.

 

The victim described the suspect as a white female in her late 20’s or early 30’s, approximately 5’6” tall, with a skinny or athletic build, and wearing a navy-blue sports bra and pink floral leggings. The victim also provided information about a vehicle that may have been involved in the assault. 

Detectives have obtained surveillance video that does show a sport utility type vehicle in the area at the time of the assault. The involvement of the vehicle is being investigated and detectives would like to contact the driver or owner. The vehicle appears to be similar to a tan colored Chevrolet Suburban.

On the same day at 5:44 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 1300 block of S. Pickwick for a disturbance call. This location is in close proximity to the location of the assault, and it was determined that this disturbance occurred prior to the assault. 

Officers contacted the 911 caller who stated he had been involved in a verbal disturbance with a female. The 911 caller and the female are known to each other due to a past relationship. Detectives believe that the female involved in this disturbance was the same female who then attacked the victim. While the motive for the assault is still being investigated, it is likely the female suspect was looking for a different person when she attacked the victim.

SPD Officers have been actively looking for the suspect.

Detectives continue to investigate the assault 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).

Stockton man killed in fiery crash

A Stockton man was killed in a one-vehicle accident 7:44 a.m. Wednesday on Route J, seven miles north of Stockton.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2007 Kenworth T800 truck driven by Clayton M. Hibbard, 57, Stockton, ran off the roadway, struck a fence, utility pole and several trees and caught fire.

Cedar County Coroner Frank Brumfield pronounced Hibbard dead at the scene.

The fatality was the 118th this year for Highway Patrol Troop D.

 

Springfield woman killed in head-on collision on West Bypass

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On Oct. 31, 2021 at 8:10 a.m., Springfield Police were dispatched to 2200 South West Bypass regarding two motor vehicles involved in a head-on collision.

The initial investigation indicated a 2016 Chevy Silverado was being driven northbound on West Bypass when it crossed over the median and struck a southbound 2018 Honda Passport head-on. The passenger in the Honda Passport died at the scene of the crash. The drivers of both vehicles were transported to local hospitals with serious injuries.

The deceased passenger was identified as Linda J. Ward, a 72-year-old female from Springfield, Mo. Family members of the deceased have been notified.

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 27th traffic fatality in Springfield in 2021.