Inside Springfield features news about Springfield, Greene County, and the surrounding area in Southwest Missouri. If you have any information you would like to see published on this website, please contact Randy Turner at rturner229@hotmail.com
Saturday, September 30, 2023
Stone County Dissolution of Marriage Petitions
Greene County Dissolution of Marriage Petitions
U. S. Bankruptcy Court Petitions- Springfield
Friday, September 29, 2023
Springfield Police needs help identifying bank robbery suspect
(From the Springfield Police Department)The Springfield Police Department needs the public’s assistance with identifying the suspect in a robbery at Legacy Bank (4108 S. National) that happened today at 12:42 p.m.
The bald suspect is approximately 5’10” to 6’ tall with a blue shirt with a Superman logo and blue shorts.
If anyone recognizes the suspect, please contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1386 or make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 417-869-TIPS (8477) or online at p3tips.com.
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
Strafford business owner pleads guilty to filing false tax return
(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)A Strafford, Mo., business owner pleaded guilty in federal court today to filing a false tax return.
Philip Russell Turner, 53, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to one count of filing a false tax return. Turner is the co-owner and president of a business identified in court documents as “Company A.”
By pleading guilty today, Turner admitted that he filed a false tax return for the calendar year 2018. Turner only claimed $15,088 income, although he had received additional income that should have been reported.
According to today’s plea agreement, Turner used funds from Company A to pay for approximately $612,144 in renovations to his personal residence in Strafford and cabins in Colorado in 2017 and 2018. He falsely told his accountant that the expenses for the renovations were expenses incurred by Company A for, among other things, renovating Company A’s offices, so that his accountant would not include the renovations as personal income on Turner’s tax returns.
As a result of Turner’s misrepresentations, his personal income for calendar years 2017 and 2018 was unreported by approximately $612,144. As a result, according to his plea agreement, Turner has an outstanding income tax liability of $97,765 for calendar year 2017 and $61,201 for calendar year 2018.
In addition, the plea agreement says, Turner owes $351,620 in unpaid taxes from calendar years 2013, 2014, and 2015. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Turner must pay the Internal Revenue Service $510,586 in restitution plus interest.
Under federal statutes, Turner is subject to a sentence of up to three 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 Shannon Kempf. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.
Monday, September 25, 2023
Ash Grove firefighter injured by falling tree while responding to call
An Ash Grove man who is a volunteer firefighter was injured while responding to a non-emergency call 9 p.m. Saturday one mile north of Walnut Grove.
According to the Highway Patrol report, Tucker S. Allred, 24, Ash Grove, was responding to the call when a tree fell on 2003 Chevrolet 1500 he was driving.
Two Springfield residents killed in collision at National and Pythian
(From the Springfield Police Department)
On Sept. 23, 2023, at 7:47 p.m., officers with the Springfield Police Department responded to a two-vehicle crash at National and Pythian.
Sierra Lane, 21, of Springfield, was driving a silver 2012 Nissan Altima northbound on National and made a left turn to go west on Pythian. The Nissan was struck by a southbound green 2023 Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle driven by Caleb I. Watts, 19, of Springfield. Sierra Lane was transported to the hospital for moderate injuries.
Watts was pronounced deceased on scene. Watts’ family has been notified.
The front seat passenger of the Nissan, Laura Lane, 50, of Springfield, was pronounced deceased on scene. Lane’s family was notified.
The circumstances of the crash are under investigation. Anyone with any information about the crash is encouraged to contact the Springfield Police Department.
This was the 20th fatal motor vehicle crash in Springfield in 2023.
Saturday, September 23, 2023
Taney County Dissolution of Marriage Petitions
Lawrence County Dissolution of Marriage Petitions
Greene County Dissolution of Marriage Petitions
Barry County Dissolution of Marriage Petitions
U. S. Bankruptcy Court Petitions- Springfield
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Cassville man suffers serious injuries in motorcycle accident
Springfield man involved in two local shootings sentenced on federal weapons charge
(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)A Springfield, Mo., man involved in at least two local shootings was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm.
Danyon Marquise Noble, 26, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to four years and nine months in federal prison without parole.
On Feb. 13, 2023, Noble pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Noble was driving a white Chevrolet Suburban when he was pulled over by deputies with the Greene County Sheriff’s Department on Sept. 1, 2022. Deputies searched the vehicle and found a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun with an attached 15-round magazine directly under the driver’s seat. They also found an empty Glock 17-round magazine in the passenger side door pocket.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Noble has a prior felony conviction for theft of a credit or debit card.
Noble has associations with two violent street gangs, according to court documents. Both FTO and Only Da Brothers have been under investigation by law enforcement for being involved in multiple shooting incidents in the Springfield area.
According to court documents, Noble committed two additional firearm offenses prior to his arrest in this case.
On April 23, 2022, Springfield police officers pulled over a vehicle in connection with a shooting; Noble was in the backseat of the vehicle. During the search of the vehicle, officers found three firearms, including a Glock magazine and a loaded extended magazine in the backseat area. According to witnesses, Noble fired one shot from a firearm during an argument with two other individuals. Noble was swabbed for gunshot residue, and it was determined that he had gunshot residue on his person.
Less than three months later, on July 10, 2022, Springfield police officers responded to a report of multiple gunshots at an apartment building. They found multiple shell casings, bullet fragments, and one vehicle that appeared to have been struck by a bullet.
The gun recovered from Noble during the Sept. 1, 2023, traffic stop was a preliminary match to the shell casings recovered from the July 10 shooting.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.
Kirbyville tow truck company owner sentenced to two years for illegally tampering with emission controls
(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)The owner of a Kirbyville, Mo., towing company was sentenced in federal court today for leading a conspiracy to illegally tamper with the emissions controls of the company’s diesel towing vehicles.
“This business owner intentionally polluted the air in southwest Missouri for more than a decade with massive amounts of cancer-causing toxins in violation of federal law,” said U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore.
Dennis Cleveland, 73, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to two years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Cleveland to pay a $255,000 fine.
“The defendant in this case conspired to bypass and disable the emission control equipment on heavy-duty diesel engines,” said Special Agent in Charge Lance Ehrig of EPA’s criminal investigation program in Missouri. “This sentencing demonstrates that EPA will vigorously prosecute those who violate laws designed to protect our communities from harmful air pollution.”
Cleveland is the owner of Affordable Towing, a roadside, recovery, hauling, and mobile repair provider for commercial and private automobiles and vehicles throughout southwest Missouri. Affordable Towing utilized heavy-duty, commercial diesel trucks to tow and haul away vehicles to repair facilities.
On March 9, 2023, Cleveland pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act and one count of tampering with a Clean Air Act monitoring device. Cleveland admitted that, since 2011, he has directed his employees to physically disable emissions control components on multiple heavy-duty diesel tow trucks.
Each one of Cleveland’s 12 illegally altered tow trucks was responsible for releasing the equivalent pollution of 1,140 legally operating tow trucks, according to court documents. If each of these illegally modified tow trucks operated only once a day (which the investigation revealed occurred far more frequently) that would be the equivalent of 13,200 tow trucks that have legal emission systems being operated every day.
Even after being contacted by law enforcement in September 2022, Cleveland continued operating his illegally modified fleet of tow trucks. After pleading guilty, and being warned by the court that continuing such operations would violate federal law as well as his plea agreement, Cleveland never stopped using his illegally modified tow trucks. As a result, Cleveland’s bond was revoked on July 20, 2023, and he has since been detained in federal custody.
Cleveland conspired with Robert Dyche, 67, of Springfield, the owner and operator of Full Flash Tuning, which specializes in illegally tampering with the on-board diagnostic systems on these vehicles. Cleveland caused the Affordable Towing trucks to be tampered with to save money by avoiding maintenance expenses on emissions control systems and by spending less money on fuel.
This tampering is frequently referred to as “tuning” or “flashing” an on-board diagnostic system. One purpose for “tuning” is to allow the vehicles to continue to seemingly operate normally while the emissions control system is disabled, rather than forcing the vehicle’s engine into a state known as “limp mode,” which greatly limits the maximum speed of the vehicle, incentivizing the driver or owner to repair the malfunction. The use of “tuning” thereby serves to reduce the high costs associated with maintaining or repairing components of the emissions control systems on heavy-duty diesel trucks.
As a consequence of “tuning,” tampered vehicles spew substantially more deleterious pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (Nox), carbon monoxide (CO), non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC), and particulate matter (PM) into the air, presenting a risk to the environment and public health.
Cleveland, through Affordable Towing, contracted with Dyche on multiple occasions to “tune” or “flash” the emissions control systems of Affordable Towing vehicles, thereby causing multiple fleet vehicles to be altered in such a way that the vehicles released pollutants into the air that far exceeded the legally allowable amounts under the Clean Air Act. Each diesel truck would continue to operate normally, as if the vehicle were operating in accord with existing Clean Air Act restrictions, rather than go into limp mode.
In addition to personally tuning Affordable Towing vehicles, Dyche, on multiple occasions, would take the vehicles to an unidentified entity in Rogersville, Mo., to “tune” the vehicles, for which he was compensated by Affordable Towing.
Dyche pleaded guilty on March 13, 2023, to one count of conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act and awaits sentencing.
These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. They were investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Monday, September 18, 2023
Springfield Police Department investigates domestic assault, man firing gun from vehicle
(From the Springfield Police Department)A disturbance was in progress in the 4000 block of S. Ferguson when officers responded early Monday morning.
As officers investigated the incident, they discovered that Haley Saipale, 23, assaulted a victim on scene. Haley assaulted an officer as she was being detained. Jania Saipale, 42, attempted to prevent Haley’s arrest and was also detained.
Haley was arrested and booked into the Greene County Jail for domestic assault, assault on a special victim and resisting arrest. Jania was arrested and booked into the Greene County Jail for obstruction.
Early on Saturday morning, officers responded to a domestic assault in the 3500 block of S. Bellhurst.
Michael Plumlee, 47, broke into the victims’ home and assaulted two people. One victim was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Plumlee was arrested and booked into the Greene County Jail for domestic assault.
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As officers arrived, Ricky. D Norris, 40, was assaulting the victim and attempted to flee. After a short foot pursuit, Norris was taken into custody.
Norris was arrested and booked into the Greene County Jail for assault.
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When officers arrived, the reporting party was attempting to restrain William Moman, 44. Moman had fired a weapon from his vehicle and, when contacted by the reporting party, became aggressive. No one was injured.
Moman was arrested and booked into the Greene County Jail for assault, property damage and unlawful use of a weapon.
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On Friday morning, officers responded to the 2200 block of N. Packer to investigate a burglary.
Officers located Zachary Stone, 32, sleeping in a vehicle behind the business. Stone was removed from the vehicle by officers and detained. A collection of the business’ stolen tools and other items of significant value from another nearby business were recovered.
Stone was arrested and booked into the Greene County Jail for stealing.
Saturday, September 16, 2023
Polk County Dissolution of Marriage Petitions
Greene County Dissolution of Marriage Petitions
U. S. Bankruptcy Court Petitions- Springfield
Thursday, September 14, 2023
Springfield man killed in car-motorcycle collision at Glenstone and Grand
(From the Springfield Police Department) On Sept. 13, 2023, at 4:48 p.m., officers with the Springfield Police Department responded to a two-vehicle crash in the intersection of Glenstone and Grand.
Savannah Grotjan, 23, from Springfield, was driving a 1997 Toyota Avalon northbound on Glenstone. As Grotjan was making a left turn to go west on Grand, a southbound 2002 Honda Shadow, driven by Ronny Sawyers, 25, from Springfield, hit the passenger’s side of the Toyota.
Sawyers was transported to a local hospital where he later died. Sawyer’s family has been notified.
The circumstances of the crash are under investigation. Anyone with any information about the crash is encouraged to contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810.
This was Springfield’s 19th fatal motor vehicle crash in 2023.
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Veterans, active military invited to fish for free at Roaring River State Park September 16
(From Missouri State Parks)Roaring River State Park invites veterans and anyone actively serving in the military to fish for free Saturday, Sept. 16.
At Veterans’ Free Fishing Day, which runs from 7:30 a.m. to 7:15 p.m., there will be no license or daily tag fee. Eligible anglers can pick up their free daily trout tag at the park store Sept. 15 or any time during the event Sept. 16. All other fishing regulations still apply.
Roaring River State Park is located 7 miles south of Cassville on Highway 112 in Barry County. For more information, contact the park office at 417-847-2539.
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
Springfield Police Blotter: Shots fired, drunk drivers, domestic assault cases investigated
(From the Springfield Police Department)FROM THE BLOTTER
Early Tuesday morning, an officer on patrol pulled over a car for displaying plates that didn’t match the vehicle.
The driver, Richard Womack, 45, was moving erratically and, when officers attempted to detain him, Womack resisted. When additional officers arrived, Womack was arrested. Officers searched the vehicle and seized two firearms, marijuana, and controlled substances.
Womack was arrested and booked into the Greene County Jail for resisting arrest, assault on a special victim as well as an outstanding warrant.
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Officers responded to an assault in the 2100 block of N. Clifton on Monday night. Callers reported hearing a disturbance and shots fired.
Vernell Hale, 23, discarded a firearm then ran from the scene and was detained after a short foot pursuit. A K9 with the Greene County Sheriff's Office located the discarded firearm. After further investigation, officers learned that Hale assaulted two juveniles.
Hale was arrested and booked into the Greene County Jail for assault, unlawful use of a weapon, and resisting arrest.
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Officers were dispatched to the report of an intoxicated driver in the 1700 block of S. Campbell in the early morning hours on Monday.
The driver, Arveonia Williams, 25, was parked with the vehicle hanging over a retaining wall. After further investigation, officers determined Williams was intoxicated and had a child in the vehicle.
Williams was arrested and booked into the Greene County Jail for driving while intoxicated and child endangerment.
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On Saturday morning, officers responded to a domestic assault near Nichols and Kansas.
After a disturbance between the victim and Bobby G. Tipton, 41, at their home, the victim left the scene in a vehicle and Tipton followed. Near the intersection of Nichols and Kansas, Tipton intentionally hit the victim’s vehicle with his vehicle.
Officers arrested Tipton, a felon who was also in possession of a firearm, and booked him into the Greene County Jail for domestic assault, assault, child endangerment, and unlawful use of a weapon.
Rogersville man sentenced to 25 years for sexual exploitation of children
(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)A Rogersville, Mo., man has been sentenced in federal court for the sexual exploitation of two child victims.
Jake Ethan Patterson, 28, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, to 25 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Patterson to spend the rest of his life on supervised release following incarceration.
On Dec. 20, 2022, Patterson pleaded guilty to two counts of the sexual exploitation of a child.
The investigation began in June 2021, when Canadian law enforcement authorities seized two cell phones belonging to a citizen of Canada. Forensic analysis of the cell phones uncovered Snapchat conversations with Patterson. During those conversations, Patterson shared multiple videos and images of child pornography involving two young children who were approximately three to five years old.
Law enforcement officers interviewed Patterson, who admitted to producing the sexually explicit images of the child victims. Patterson also admitted he had additional child pornography stored on his cell phone.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan. It was investigated by the FBI, the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.
Sunday, September 10, 2023
Three Springfield, Greenfield residents airlifted to Cox following head-on collision
Republic man flown to Cox South after water skiing accident
A Republic man was injured in a water skiing accident 2 p.m. today on Table Rock Lake five miles east of Blue Eye.
According to the Highway Patrol report, a Ricky L. Daugherity, 65, Ozark, driving a 2023 Harris Pontoon, was attempting to retrieve Jean P. Herrera, 41, Republic, on a wakeboard. Herrera fell and was trying to retrieve the rope when he was struck by the propeller.