Aurora, Marionville first responders thwart attempted suicide

(From the Aurora-Marionville Police Department)

On August 28th, near midnight, a dangerous and intense situation unfolded in Aurora. I believe the communities we serve deserve to know what your emergency services personnel do.

A call came in about a suicidal person who had scaled a tree, tied a strap around their neck, and was in the process of attempting suicide by hanging from approximately 30-40 feet in the air.

The Aurora Fire Department arrived. The person in the tree was known to staff and was known to suffer from addiction and legitimate attendant medical conditions. Captain Todd Wood (far right) and Firefighter Harley Stice (center) arrived. 

Wood operated a ladder from the fire apparatus while Stice was on the end of it, strapped to a safety device. Stice was extended to the individual in the tree who had by this point went into a seizure. The person was only remaining in the tree by the strap around their neck and a foot partially wedged in an extended branch.

 
From the top of the ladder, Stice attempted to rescue this individual and had only their dead body-weight to contend with as they were unresponsive. As they slipped from the tree, Stice persisted and held them with all of his strength. If they had fallen, they would have landed on pavement or concrete and most assuredly would have died.

 
While Stice held on to the person, the strap tightened around their neck and they began to suffocate. Officer Blake Baldwin (left) of AMPD arrived to help Stice.

 
With no available safety harness, Officer Baldwin scaled the ladder. He reached the top of the ladder, leaned out, and cut the strap from around the person’s neck, allowing them to breathe. Together, Stice and Baldwin pulled the person onto the ladder and Captain Wood lowered all three to safety. The individual was transported for medical and mental health treatment and is alive today.

 
We hear about these scenarios on TV, in movies. It’s intense and exciting. But for the men and women who do it in real life, it’s part terror and part second-nature. So often, we walk away from these situations and think, “it wasn’t that big of a deal.”

To all three of these heroes, I’m telling you it is a big deal. It’s a big deal because their work gave someone an opportunity at a better life. These men risked their own safety to ensure the safety of this person.

 
In this line of work, we get a lot of criticism. We have people challenge us, try to get a rise out of us, complain about how a particular situation didn’t turn out how they wanted, or are just angry at anyone associated with the government. But what makes me love this line of work more now than ever, is that I know we are the only people coming. When it gets bad, we’re on our way. We wouldn’t hesitate to pull our loudest critic from that tree or our strongest supporter. Because the gift of life is way more important than our petty disagreements.

It is an honor to work beside the heroes I have the privilege to see every day. It’s my pleasure to work with the firefighters we have in our area who have our backs, and we have theirs. It’s knowing we did the right thing for the right reasons that makes public safety a noble and worthwhile calling.
Thank you for allowing us to serve.
Chief Wes Coatney

Highway Patrol Arrests September 23-25

Aleah J. Palmer, 23, Springfield, driving while intoxicated, failed to drive on right half of roadway, failed to register motor vehicle, no insurance

Caleb M. Randolph, 22, Birch Tree, driving while intoxicated, failed to have two head lights, failed to affix registration, no license plate light. failed to maintain lane

Broc O. Bay, 18, Summersville, driving while intoxicated, speeding

Hunter L. Winton, 18, Goodman, driving while intoxicated, no head lights

Sarah P. Sommer, 23, Billings, driving while intoxicated, speeding

Jacob D. Arnold, 35, Buffalo, Greene County felony warrant for theft, felony probation and parole warrant for larceny, 13 Fair Grove misdemeanor warrants for traffic violations and dangerous drugs, no driver's license, failed to drive on right half of roadway, no seat belt

Alexandra E. Daniels, 26, Branson, driving while intoxicated, failed to drive in a single lane

Dylan D. Dunn, 27, Springfield, driving while intoxicated, careless and imprudent driving

Sara J. Brazeal, 30, Nixa, driving while intoxicated, failed to drive on the right half of the roadway, no seat belt

Curtis J. Henry, 34, Springfield, driving while intoxicated, speeding

Misty D. Shores, 39, Merriam Woods, driving while intoxicated, no valid license

Bryce M. Giles, 21, Springfield, driving while intoxicated, speeding

Brent R. Orso, 41, Marshfield, felony tampering with a motor vehicle, felony delivery of a controlled substance-methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia

Heather D. Shelby-McAdams, 32, Marshfield, felony tampering with a motor vehicle, felony delivery of a controlled substance- methamphetamine, felony no valid license, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia

Keiffer A. Livezey, 25, Bolivar, possession of marijuana

Walter B. Stewart, 54, Kissimmee, Florida, resisting arrest, failed to yield to an emergency vehicle, failed to drive in a single lane

Jordan L. Ecclefield, 49, Kansas City, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia

Jessica M. Montes, 39, Kansas City, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia

James W. Henson, 40, Springfield, felony possession of a controlled substance- methamphetamine, felony driving while revoked, no insurance, no seat belt

Clifford L. Eckhoff, 57, New Baden, Illinois, felony possession of a controlled substance (two counts), possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia

Terry E. Eichelberger, 32, St. Louis, felony possession of a controlled substance (two counts), possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia

Baily R. Dellinger, 22, Springfield, driving while intoxicated, failed to drive in a single lane, failed to place vehicle as far to the right as possible, no insurance

Travis E. Martin, 36, Aurora, driving while intoxicated, speeding

Rebekah M. Price, 21, Republic, driving while intoxicated, speeding, failed to register motor vehicle

Scott E. Hall, 66, Rogersville, felony driving while intoxicated, felony driving while revoked, failed to drive on right half of roadway, no seat belt

John W. Francois, 25, Springfield, driving while intoxicated, speeding

Brianna N. Stone, 18, Monett, driving while intoxicated, failed to stop at stop line

Scott W. Kersey, 44, Springfield, driving while intoxicated, lane violation, registration violation

Ryder D. Berger, 21, Conway, driving while intoxicated, failed to use turn signal

Nathan E. Rose, 48, Golden Eagle, Illinois, felony driving while intoxicated, speeding

John K. Powell, 47, Springfield, driving while intoxicated (drugs), failed to stop at red signal, failed to dim high beams within 500 feet of oncoming traffic

Jordaye C. Moore, 28, Kansas City, possession of marijuana

 

Highway Patrol Arrests September 21-22

Lucas R. Deville, 20, Willard, Polk County misdemeanor warrant for failure to appear on passing a bad check, Willard Police Department misdemeanor warrants for failure to appear on peace disturbance and traffic violation, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia

Mya C. Young, 21, Springfield, driving while intoxicated, failed to drive on right half of roadway, speeding, no insurance

Keyanna C. Lewis, 19, Springfield, driving while intoxicated

Justice D. Banks, 23, Springfield, driving while intoxicated (drugs), failed to stop at stop sign, failed to drive on right half of roadway, possession of marijuana

Hannah M. DeClue, 21, Springfield, driving while intoxicated, speeding

Kyle J. Cornell, 35, Monett, felony driving while intoxicated

Anthony K. Christianson, 29, Shaumberg, Illinois, possession of marijuana

 

Aurora and Marionville Police: Is this your meth?

(From the Aurora and Marionville Police Department)

FOUND PROPERTY

 
If you lost your baggie of methamphetamine at Walmart, we have it. We are reviewing footage in hopes of identifying the owner. If it’s yours, please contact Officer J. Pennington at AMPD to claim it.

Highway Patrol Arrests September 20-21

Brenna A. Blacksher, 34, Walnut Grove, misdemeanor warrant arrest for probation violation- original charge DWI, speeding, no valid license

Kristian Cruz, 32, Springfield, possession of marijuana, failed to register motor vehicle

Shawn A. Russell, 37, Lockwood, felony driving without a license, no insurance

Brock A.  Legan, 49, Halfway, driving while intoxicated, drove wrong way on a divided highway, no seat belt

Cody A. King, 30, Joplin, Cherokee County felony warrants for smuggling contraband into a correctional facility, possession of methamphetamine and domestic assault, no seat belt

Joseph M. Cornett, 37, Branson West, Taney County felony warrant for domestic assault, Taney County misdemeanor warrant for fraud, no insurance, failure to display valid plates, no seat belt

Ariel J. Ludwig, 19, Springfield, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, no insurance, no seat belt

Makayla A. Shelby, 24, Springfield, felony possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia

Daniel J. Shelby, 29, Republic, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, failed to display valid plates

Brian K. Adams, 57, Springfield, felony possession of a controlled substance- methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, no seat belt

Vehicle found, but Springfield murder suspect still at large

(From the Springfield Police Department)

The Springfield Police Department located Robert S. Parmley's vehicle. The vehicle was unoccupied and the search continues for Parmley, who is still considered armed and dangerous.

Previous news release

On September 16, 2022, at approximately 10:13 a.m., the Springfield Police Department was dispatched to the alley in the 1800 block of North Lyon to investigate a shooting. When officers arrived, they discovered a male inside a vehicle who had suffered gunshot wounds. The male was pronounced deceased on scene.

 

The deceased male was identified as Charles Tart, 52, from Springfield, Missouri. Tart’s family has been notified.

During the investigation, the Springfield Police Department’s Homicide Unit identified the suspect, Robert S. Parmley Jr., 40, from Springfield, Missouri. The suspect fled the scene in a sliver 2006 Ford Expedition with a license plate of MO TJ2G1L. Robert’s location is currently unknown. He should be considered armed and dangerous and a potential threat to the community.

Detectives continue to investigate and are asking anyone who has information about this incident or information that would assist in locating Robert Parmley 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 14th homicide for 2022.

Marshfield sex offender sentenced to 15 years for child pornography

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

A Marshfield, Mo., man who is a registered sex offender was sentenced in federal court today for downloading child pornography to his cell phone.

Michael Ray Jones, 60, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to 15 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Jones to serve 10 years on supervised release following incarceration. Jones has a prior conviction for possessing child pornography.

On Oct. 12, 2021, Jones pleaded guilty to one count of receiving child pornography. Jones admitted that he used his cell phone to access and download child pornography.

Jones was stopped by a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper on U.S. Highway 60 in Webster County, Mo., on July 28, 2020, because the Ford F-150 he was driving had expired license plates. During the stop, Jones showed his cell phone to the trooper, which included multiple images in a photo gallery, and the trooper realized that some of the images were child pornography. During a forensic examination of Jones’s cell phone, investigators found numerous images of child pornography.

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

Greene County deputy's quick action may have saved victim in car-motorcycle crash

(From the Greene County Sheriff's Office)

During the early morning hours on September 15th, Greene County Deputies were dispatched to a motor vehicle crash at US Highway160 and Farm Road 123, involving a car and a motorcycle.

 
In under two minutes, Deputy Emily Gold arrived on scene to find a severely injured and unconscious motorcyclist. 

After a rapid assessment of the rider’s condition, Deputy Gold quickly applied a tourniquet to the motorcyclist's nearly amputated leg. Deputy Gold controlled the bleeding and continued to provide care to the rider for several minutes until medical first responders personnel on scene.

 
The rider who did regain consciousness on scene was eventually transported to Mercy Hospital, surviving his injuries. While it’s not absolutely certain Deputy Gold’s actions were the sole factor that ensured the survival of the motorcycle rider, it is well-known that rapid intervention with properly applied equipment such as a tourniquet, exponentially improved the likelihood of survival in the instance of serious trauma such as loss (or near loss) of a limb.

 
“Deputies are called upon to do so many things other than enforcement of the law. Deputy Gold’s rapid response and actions absolutely played a vital role in this motorcyclist’s survival. I am so proud of Deputy Gold and all of my deputies who give all they can in service to others”

 
-Sheriff Jim Arnott

Burglar climbs through window, stabs Springfield resident

(From the Springfield Police Department)

Early this morning, officers were dispatched to an assault in the 2000 block of N. Travis. The suspect, later identified as Christopher Allmon, 31, climbed through the window at the victim’s home and stabbed the victim. The victim’s injuries were non-life threatening. 

The suspect and the residents of the home knew each other. Allmon fled prior to officer arrival and was not located at that time.

 
At about 8:45 a.m., one of the residents of the home called 911 to report that Allmon had returned. 

When officers responded, Allmon resisted, saying he had a gun. After numerous commands, officers effectively deployed the Taser to take Allmon into custody.

 
Allmon was arrested and booked into the Greene County Jail for 1st degree assault and resisting arrest.

------
Officers responded to a burglary and assault in the 800 block of S. Douglas on Saturday evening. A verbal argument between the victim and Shane Hendricks, 44, caused Hendricks to assault the victim in the streets.

 
When the victim went back to his residence, Hendricks forced his way into the home and continued the assault. The victim was transported to the hospital with significant but non-life-threatening injuries.
Hendricks was arrested and booked into the Greene County Jail for 3rd degree assault and 1st degree burglary.

Highway Patrol Arrests September 18-19

Chloe E. Tilton, 22, Branson, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while suspended, no seat belt

Billy R. Vandeventer, 35, Bolivar, Stone County felony warrant for burglary, failure to stop for stop sign, no insurance

Christopher N. De Luna, 35, Rockaway Beach, Christian County misdemeanor warrant for failure to appear on driving while revoked or suspended

Nelson F. Walls, 50, Aurora, felony leaving the scene of a crash, careless and imprudent driving, no insurance, no valid license, failed to stop at stop sign, no seat belt, Aurora Police Department misdemeanor warrant for failure to appear on trash violation, Lawrence County misdemeanor warrant for failure to register vehicle, no insurance

Cory D. Ohler, 33, Hot Springs, Arkansas, felony possession of a controlled substance- methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia

Alenjandrio Garcia, 56, Branson West, felony driving while intoxicated

Taylor N. Lankford, 28, Monett, Benton County, Arkansas felony warrant for drugs, felony out-of-state fugitive

Justin W. White, 28, Monett, Benton County, Arkansas felony warrant for drugs, felony out-of-state fugitive

Jeremy T. Newell, 43, Billings, driving while intoxicated, speeding, no insurance

Anthony Mauricio, 37, Carthage, driving while intoxicated 

Highway Patrol Arrests September 17-18

 

David D. Hampshire, 33, Joplin, driving while intoxicated, speeding, failed to signal, no insurance

Julio G. Serrano, 36, Mexico, driving while intoxicated

Albert J. Pray, 24, Springfield, Pettis County felony warrant for stolen property, no driver's license, no trailer lights

Roy G. DuRossette, 54, Cassville, felony failure to register as a sex offender, driving while revoked

Erin A. Voegele, 37, El Dorado Springs, driving while intoxicated

James C. Dautenhahn, 56, Branson, driving while intoxicated, driving while revoked, no insurance

Wadonna K. Holdren, 62, Neosho, driving while intoxicated, careless and imprudent driving

Miranda D. Smith, 37, Carthage, felony possession of meth, driving while intoxicated 

Highway Patrol Arrests September 16-17

Aaron L. Baker, 23, Wheatland, driving while intoxicated

Joshua P. Davis, 38, Joplin, driving while intoxicated, failed to stop at stop sign, failed to place vehicle as far to the right as practical, no insurance

Jimmy L. Dickenson, 21, Wheatland, driving while intoxicated, speeding, failed to drive in a single lane

Randall H. Dobbs, 57, Nixa, driving while intoxicated, speeding

Raymon A. Guerra, 29, Springfield, driving while intoxicated, driving while suspended, lane violation, no insurance, cover on rear license plate

Ervin R. Gingerich, 22, Moravia, Iowa, driving while intoxicated, no taillights

John E. Lee, 38, Fordland, three Livingston County misdemeanor warrants for traffic violations

Cole P. Watson, 24, Stockton, driving while intoxicated, speeding

J. P. McKeever, 39, Nevada, driving while intoxicated, failed to drive on right half of roadway

Orlando C. Davis, 33, Springfield, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, speeding, no seat belt, driving while suspended

Ashlynn T. Rachel, 22, Springfield, driving while intoxicated, failed to register motor vehicle

Dalton W. Mudgett, 28, Kissee Mills, felony driving while intoxicated, no valid license, failure to drive on right half of roadway resulting in a crash

Amber M. White, 31, Rogers, Arkansas, driving while intoxicated, careless and imprudent driving, failure to display plates

Joshua L. Cloud, 34, Monett, driving while intoxicated, careless and imprudent driving, expired registration, no seat belt

Nixa man killed in collision at I-44 and Kansas Expressway

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On Sept. 15, 2022 at 4:32 p.m., officers with the Springfield Police Department responded to the area of Interstate 44 and Kansas Expressway in reference to a two-vehicle crash.

A white 2020 Freightliner driven by Jasham Singh (22) of Queens, New York was traveling westbound on Interstate 44 approaching Kansas Expressway. 

A tan 2002 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Michael Brandon Smith (30) of Nixa was westbound on Interstate 44 in front of the Freightliner. The Chevrolet lost control changing lanes causing a collision between the two vehicles.

Smith was pronounced deceased on scene. His next of Kin has been notified.

The investigation is ongoing as to the circumstances involved in the crash. This was the 19th fatal motor vehicle crash in Springfield in 2022.

Suspect in shooting death of Springfield man on the loose, considered armed and dangerous

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On September 16, 2022, at approximately 10:13 a.m., the Springfield Police Department was dispatched to the alley in the 1800 block of North Lyon to investigate a shooting. When officers arrived, they discovered a male inside a vehicle who had suffered gunshot wounds. The male was pronounced deceased on scene.

The deceased male was identified as Charles Tart, 52, from Springfield, Missouri. Tart’s family has been notified.

 
During the investigation, the Springfield Police Department’s Homicide Unit identified the suspect, Robert S. Parmley Jr., 40, from Springfield, Missouri. The suspect fled the scene in a sliver 2006 Ford Expedition with a license plate of MO TJ2G1L. Robert’s location is currently unknown. He should be considered armed and dangerous and a potential threat to the community.

Detectives continue to investigate and are asking anyone who has information about this incident or information that would assist in locating Robert Parmley 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 14th homicide for 2022.

Highway Patrol Arrests September 15-16

 

Alberto Hernandez, 22, Verona, driving while intoxicated, no insurance, no driver's license, failed to drive on right half of roadway

Ronald J. Jenkins, 66, Carl Junction, driving while intoxicated, driving wrong way on divided roadway, failed to signal, no insurance

Blake H. Dockery, 27, Lamar, driving while intoxicated, speeding

Chandler S. Haden, 28, Republic, Branson West warrant for failure to appear on equipment violation, failure to register motor vehicle

Highway Patrol Arrests September 14-15

Orlondo A. Patton, 53, Springfield, felony driving while intoxicated, speeding, driving while revoked

Jason P. Duly, 44, Wheatland, driving while intoxicated, speeding

Jason M. Bumgardner, 44, Springfield, felony driving while intoxicated, driving the wrong way on a divided highway

Leon H. Farr, 35, Joshua, Texas, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, failed to stop at red light

 

Highway Patrol Arrests September 13-14

 

Robert J. Smith, 18, Springfield, felony resisting arrest by fleeing, felony tampering with a motor vehicle, speeding, no valid license, failed to drive on right half of roadway

Trina P. Robbins, 54, Ozark, driving while intoxicated, lane violation, registration violation

Colby L. Jones, 23, Springfield, driving while intoxicated, speeding

Michael L. DeJong, 38, Edgar, Wisconsin, driving while intoxicated, careless and imprudent driving involving a crash

Barry L. Smith, 37, Cassville, felony driving while intoxicated, driving while revoked, no insurance, failure to display valid tags, no seat belt

Ashley R. Collins, 33, Springfield, driving while intoxicated

Howard L. Anderson, 51, Springfield, felony possession of a controlled substance- methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, tampering with evidence, littering, no seat belt

Katie L. Brothers, 30, Springfield, felony possession of a controlled substance- methamphetamine, felony possession of a controlled substance- klonapin, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, no insurance, failure to display valid plates

Austin M. Chipps, 29, Humansville, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, no insurance, no valid plates, no seat belt

Lateya C. King, 22, Nixa, Greene County misdemeanor warrant for failure to appear on assault

Yevette E. Green, 44, Joplin, Jasper County felony warrant for failure to appear on possession of a controlled substance, no seat belt 

Bruce Hornsby to headline Springfield Jazz Festival

(From the City of Springfield)

The Springfield Jazz Festival returns this month after a two-year hiatus. The festivities seek to broaden understanding and make new connections to enhance the quality of life for our community.

Bruce Hornsby will headline this 11th annual event in downtown Springfield. Hornsby will perform live, Saturday, Sept. 24 at the Historic Gillioz Theatre. 

Hornsby is an American singer, virtuoso pianist, accordion player, and songwriter. He is best known for his 1980s signature song “The Way It Is” and the top five hits “Mandolin Rain,” and “The Valley Road”, all recorded as Bruce Hornsby & The Range, and for his long association with the Grateful Dead. 

In some of his solo albums (from 1993) he moved in a less commercial, more musically-challenging direction. From 2000 he recorded albums a series of albums as Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers.

Hornsby continues to tour with his live band “The Noisemakers”, in addition to solo shows and his progressive bluegrass performances with Ricky Skaggs.

In 2007 he released Camp Meeting, his first total jazz album as The Bruce Hornsby Trio, which involved jazz giants, Jack DeJohnette and Christian McBride with whom he made live appearances with throughout 2007.

Tickets range from $45 - $75. To purchase tickets, visit https://gillioztheatre.com/event/an-evening-with-bruce-hornsby/. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the show at 7:30 p.m.

The rest of music at the festival is free to the public and combines a variety of grooves that jazz music has to offer, kicking off at 12:30 p.m.

The lineup, performing on two stages, includes the performers from Missouri State University Jazz program, Evangel University and local and regional jazz artists.

Park Central East Stage - Across from The Gillioz12:30 p.m. - Robbing Ford
1:30 p.m. - Matt Harp Trio
2:30 p.m. - MOJO Lite
3:30 p.m. - Arthur Duncan Jazz Group
4:30 p.m. - Hamm/Aho/Morrison with Christin Bohrisch
5:30 p.m. - The Missouri Jazz Orchestra (MOJO)

Park Central Square Pavillion Stage12:00 p.m. - MSU Jazz Symposium I
1:00 p.m. - Evangel University Jazz Combo
2:00 p.m. - MSU Jazz Symposium II
3:00 p.m. - Royal Court Jazz Ensemble
4:00 p.m. - MSU Trombone Ensemble

Event Partners Include:Missouri Arts Council
Springfield Regional Arts Council
Springfield Public Schools
Springfield Music
Gillioz
MSU Jazz Studies
MSU Division for Diversity & Inclusion
Downtown Springfield Association
City of Springfield

 

Springfield-Greene County Library District officials provide update to County Commission

(From the Greene County Commission)

Greene County Commissioners met with leaders from the Springfield-Greene County Library District Monday morning at the Republic Branch Library. 

The annual update to the Commission included statistics, future plans, and new services like the brand new library app available on both Apple and Google Play app stores.

 

Also discussed, the popularity of services like passport applications, drive through windows, and the new kiosk express libraries on both ends of Chestnut Expressway in Springfield.

Drunken semi driver leads Lawrence County deputies, Highway Patrol troopers on chase

(From the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office)

This weekend, Deputy Conner Anderson worked a DWI Enforcement detail looking for impaired drivers.

 

While in this detail, Deputy Anderson received notifications that a tractor trailer unit was reported as driving very carelessly traveling east on I-44 from Jasper County.

In fact, the Missouri State Highway Patrol Dispatch had received several dozen calls about this particular vehicle swerving and almost hitting other motorists.

Deputy Anderson located the vehicle as it entered Lawrence County and began following the tractor trailer. In just a short time, the tractor trailer had nearly struck three additional vehicles and was continuing to swerve from side to side.

 
Seeing that the situation was getting even more dangerous, Deputy Anderson activated his lights and siren to stop the vehicle. Unfortunately, the semi did not stop. The semi continued at speeds above the posted speed limit and began swerving at vehicles.

Other deputies and troopers joined the attempt to stop the semi. The semi continued east bound where it struck a bridge nearly losing control and going over the bridge a few miles down the road.

After striking the bridge, the driver finally slowed to a stop near the 44-mile marker. Unfortunately, the incident didn't end there. The driver refused to comply with lawful commands to exit the vehicle. Deputies also noticed that there was a dangerous weapon within reach of the driver.

Still not complying the driver was tased and deputies took him into custody without further incident. The suspect was transported to the Lawrence County Jail where he faces a multitude of charges including Driving While Intoxicated.

This was not Deputy Anderson's first DWI arrest this weekend. What makes this arrest more amazing is that deputies and troopers were able to stop this 80,000-pound missile from continuing down a busy interstate and potentially killing an entire family.

Thank you, Deputy Anderson and all those involved for your diligence in removing impaired drivers from our roadways.

Remember, if you Drink and Drive you WILL Lose! Please don't make a stupid decision that will affect you and others for the rest of your life.

Greene County Sheriff searching for man accused of auto thefts, car hijacking

(From the Greene County Sheriff's Office)

The Greene County Sheriff’s Office would like to formally invite, Channing Shockley, for an extended stay at the new Greene County Jail. 

Channing has been on a bit of a crime spree in the last several weeks in Greene County. Channing has been stealing cars and causing hazardous driving conditions for citizens on the roadways by fleeing from the police. 

His crimes include several auto thefts including a car hijacking and running from the police on several occasions in stolen vehicles. The Greene County Jail has a cell in one of our newly furnished units awaiting Channing’s arrival and not to worry, he will be served three meals a day.

 
Channing has active warrants for Tampering with a Motor Vehicle, Vehicle Hijacking causing Serious Physical Injury and Tampering with a Motor Vehicle. Channing is known to resist law enforcement by fleeing in vehicles.

 
If you know the whereabouts of Channing Shockley, please contact the Greene County Crime Tip Hotline, 417-829-6230.

Aurora man arrested on rape charge

(From the Aurora and Marionville Police Department)

Following a recent investigation by our detectives, AMPD conducted a search warrant and arrest warrant operation in Aurora tonight and arrested Matthew Fries on suspicion of Rape. 

These charges are mere accusations, and he is considered innocent until proven guilty in the court of law.

Ash Grove woman sentenced for embezzling $362,000 from employer

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

An Ash Grove, Mo., woman was sentenced in federal court today for a wire fraud scheme in which she embezzled more than $362,000 from her Springfield, Mo., employer and failed to pay nearly $1 million in business payroll taxes and personal income taxes.

Carrie Leigh Long, 52, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to three years and five months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Long to pay $1,329,440 in restitution -- $362,175 to her employer and $1,071,802 to the IRS. The court also ordered Long to forfeit to the government $362,175.

On April 25, 2022, Long pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of failure to pay over employment taxes.

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.

Long admitted that she stole at least $362,175 from the companies from February 2016 to September 2020. Long also admitted that she failed to pay approximately $902,226 of employment taxes the companies owed to the IRS. By not making these payments, Long created a pool of funds in the companies’ bank accounts from which she continued her embezzlement scheme.

Long 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. 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 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.

According to court documents, Long stole from the companies at least 198 times. When the companies’ owner confronted her with evidence that she had stolen from the companies and that she had not paid over the companies’ employment taxes, she continued to lie to him, forcing him to hire an accounting firm to investigate.

As part of the scheme, Long did not claim the unauthorized payments as personal income on her individual income tax returns from 2016 through 2020. This resulted in a loss to the IRS of $65,039.

Beginning in April 2019, Long ceased to make regular payments to the IRS for the employment taxes the companies owed the IRS. Long concealed her actions from company officials 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 (including both the employer portion and the funds withheld from the companies’ employees’ paychecks) 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, Long falsely claimed they had been paid and provided forged bank account statements.

According to court documents, Long was convicted in state court of similar conduct with a previous employer and was still on probation for that crime at the time of this federal offense. On Oct. 21, 2013, she pleaded guilty in the Circuit Court of Laclede County, Mo., to stealing more than $88,000 from a client of her then-accounting firm employer. As in this federal case, she stole by forging checks made payable to herself and endorsed in her own name against the victim’s bank account. Long received a suspended five-year sentence, was ordered to serve 90 days shock time, placed on probation for five years, and ordered to pay restitution to her victim within 30 days of her sentencing.

Long’s mother actually paid her court-ordered restitution on her behalf in the state case. Long used the money she stole from the companies in this scheme to pay her mother back for the prior victims’ restitution payment.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shannon Kempf. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and the FBI.

Nixa physician sentenced for taking drug company bribes in exchange for prescribing fentanyl

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

A Nixa, Mo., physician was sentenced in federal court today after taking bribes from a drug manufacturer in exchange for prescribing its fentanyl drug to his patients so often that he ranked highest in the state in net sales of the product.

Randall Halley, 65, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to one year and one day in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Halley to pay $400,565 in restitution to Medicare and to pay a fine of $150,000.

On Dec. 7, 2021, Halley pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement to Medicare to obtain insurance coverage for a fentanyl prescription and to one count of conspiracy to use his DEA registration number for his employees to issue Schedule II controlled substances to patients in his absence.

Halley, a licensed physician, was employed by Ozark Community Hospital - Christian County Clinic in Nixa from 2004 to June 2019. He also was employed by several area skilled nursing facilities and residential care facilities.

According to court documents, Halley was only present at the Nixa practice, at most, two days of each week, as he was paid to provide care at several area nursing homes and regularly accepted additional money to travel and speak on behalf of pharmaceutical companies. One of the pharmaceutical companies he agreed to speak for was Insys, which produced a fentanyl medication, Subsys, that Medicare only approved for active cancer patients who were currently suffering from breakthrough cancer pain.

Halley accepted bribes from Insys in exchange for prescribing Subsys to his patients. Halley’s participation in Insys’s speakers program was a front designed to conceal the bribes Insys paid to Halley and other doctors. As long as Halley continued to prescribe Subsys, to increasing numbers of patients and in increasing dosages, Insys paid him to speak for them, increasing his compensation over time due to his prescriptions. There was a direct correlation between Insys’s payments to Halley and his issued Subsys prescriptions.

Halley had the highest net sales of Subsys of any physician in the state of Missouri and ranked 38th in the United States at one time. Altogether, Insys paid Halley $92,225 in bribes during their relationship.

The sham nature of this program was exhibited by the fact that Insys paid him for a program he never attended and labeled him as a “National” speaker at a higher payment rate despite the fact he only twice traveled outside the state of Missouri to speak for Insys, to neighboring Arkansas and Illinois. After the program Halley did not attend, he signed a sheet affirming that he attended and spoke at the program when, in fact, he had not. This led to Insys paying him $2,400 for the program.

Halley made false statements on pre-approval forms to ensure Medicare coverage of the expensive drug for these patients.

Halley also conspired with his employees at the clinic to use his registration number so they could provide prescription medication in his absence. Despite Halley’s absence at his clinic on three days of the week, and sometimes more due to his Insys travel, he directed clinic employees to continue scheduling patient visits on those days. 

Some of these patient visits were conducted by employees of the clinic who could not legally prescribe Schedule II controlled substances. Halley directed them to write out prescriptions several days ahead of these office visits and he would pre-sign these prescriptions. Then, when the patient came into the clinic for their office visit, the employees would conduct the visit and issue the pre-signed prescriptions, all without Halley conducting an examination of the patient.

Former employees Nga A. Nguyen, 43, and Susan G. Morris, 64, both of Springfield, and Amber N. Moeschler, 39, of Ozark, Mo., have pleaded guilty and await sentencing for illegally using Halley’s DEA registration number in connection with the distribution of a controlled substance. Former employee Kimberly G. Hoffer, 50, awaits trial in December for related charges.

Halley disregarded the dangerousness of Subsys. Fentanyl is a highly addictive synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin. It is a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the United States. The drug is so dangerous that all prescribers and patients who prescribe and receive Subsys must participate in the government-mandated Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy program, involving education, the prescriber’s contractual commitment to mandatory prescribing rules, and compulsory patient disclosures.

Numerous patients received dangerous fentanyl medication they did not need, nor did they qualify for under Medicare, and Medicare was defrauded out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. In his plea agreement, Halley specifically admitted that he prescribed Subsys to a patient and submitted a request to Medicare for payment coverage of the prescription, falsely stating that the patient had a diagnosis of cancer. Halley knew that the patient did not have a diagnosis of cancer at that time, and was not being treated for breakthrough cancer-related pain – two conditions that Medicare required for payment coverage of Subsys. Due to Halley’s false statement, Medicare paid a total of $11,945 to cover the patient’s prescription and subsequent Subsys prescriptions. Halley committed similar conduct with additional payments, leading Medicare to pay hundreds of thousands of more dollars for Subsys prescriptions.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey Clark and Nhan D. Nguyen. It was investigated by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, the FBI, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Exeter man flown to Mercy Springfield after motorcycle-pickup accident

An Exeter man was injured in a two-vehicle accident 7:10 p.m. Monday on MO 76 two miles east of Exeter.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2017 Dong Fang motorcycle driven by David R. Bennett, 57, Exeter, pulled into the path of a 1995 Ford F150 driven by Wesley J. Pittman, 48, Purdy.

The Pittman vehicle struck the motorcycle ejecting Bennett, who was flown to Mercy Springfield with serious injuries.

 

Rockaway Beach man suffers serious injuries after motorcycle crashes into rock embankment

A Rockaway Beach man was injured in a one-vehicle accident 7:30 a.m. Sunday on U. S. 160 south of Walnut Shade.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2013 Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle driven by James F. McVay, 55, Rockaway Beach, traveled off the right side of the roadway, overturned and struck the ground and a rock embankment.

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

 

Branson man in critical condition after being pinned under UTV

A Branson man was injured in a one-vehicle accident 2 p.m. Sunday on U. S. 65, two miles south of Hollister.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a Polaris 250 Trailboss driven by Christapher S. Whobrey, 22, Branson, was off the pavement climbing the bank of the right of way when the vehicle stalled, ejecting Whobrey and pinning him underneath.

Whobrey was taken to Cox South Hospital, Springfield, to be treated for serious injuries.

Highway Patrol Arrests September 11-12

Roney A. Pitts, 50, Cassville, driving while intoxicated (drugs), careless and imprudent driving, no seat belt, resisting arrest

Bernato C. Johnson, 41, West Memphis, Arkansas, possession of marijuana, speeding

Samuel V. Lup, 28, Springfield, driving while intoxicated (drugs), possession of marijuana, failed to drive in a single lane

Robert S. Tain, 45, Springfield, driving while intoxicated, speeding

 

Hollister woman killed in crash on 86

A Hollister woman was killed in a one-vehicle accident 4:40 a.m. Saturday on MO 86, two miles west of Ridgedale.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2005 Toyota Corolla driven by Lisa A. Browning, 51, Hollister, crossed the center of the roadway, traveled off the left side of the road and struck an embankment.

Dr. Christine Gosch pronounced Browning dead at the scene at 5:03 a.m.

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