Monett woman killed in head-on collision with Freightliner

 

A Monett woman was killed in a two-vehicle collision 2:55 p.m. Wednesday on U. S. 60 at Farm Road 1160 in Verona.

According to the Highway Patrol report, 2015 Nissan Juke driven by Jennifer A. Ross, 48, Monett, crossed the center line and collided with a 2023 Freightliner Cascadia driven by Chad S. Steinert, 57, Wichita, Kansas.

Lawrence County Coroner Scott Lakin pronounced Ross dead at the scene.

The fatality was the 47th this year for Highway Patrol Troop D.

Fugitives wanted in connection with Springfield murder

(From the Springfield Police Department)

Arshaun Bradley and Quartze "Quartez" Washington are both wanted for 1st degree murder, in connection with the Nov. 14, 2023 homicide at College and Grant. 

Bradley (pictured left) is a 20-year-old, black male, and is approximately 5'7" tall and 120lbs, with brown hair and brown eyes. Bradley has multiple tattoos on his left arm.

Washington (pictured right) is an 18-year-old, black male, and is approximately 6'0" tall, and 140lbs, with brown hair and brown eyes. Washington has a tattoo on his neck.

Both have out-of-state ties and are believed to be armed and dangerous.

 
If you have any information regarding their whereabouts please contact Crime Stoppers at 417-869-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online at www.p3tips.com.

If you see or locate either subject DO NOT ATTEMPT to contact them and call 911 immediately.

Seven arrested for child sex trafficking in Branson area

(From the Branson Police Department)

The Stone County Sheriff's Office, Taney County Sheriff's Office, and Branson Police Department supported by the Missouri Attorney General's Counter-Human Trafficking Task Force, Prosecuting Attorneys in Stone and Taney Counties, the Missouri National Guard Counter-Trafficking program, Jackson County Sheriff, Ray County Sheriff's Counter-Human Trafficking Task Force and Pathways Project a local survivor advocacy team completed a 2-day initiative in the Branson, MO area. 

This team utilized a blend of victim-centered methods and proactive counter-human trafficking techniques to disrupt the commercial sex industry in the community. 

The results:

Seven predatory buyers were arrested who arrived at meet locations intending to buy sex from law enforcement officers who were posing as victims ranging in age from 14 to 17. Two of their trucks were seized for forfeiture. They were all arrested and charged with sexual trafficking of a child in the 2nd degree.

 
One buyer was arrested for meeting to pay for sex with an adult. He was booked and charged with soliciting prostitution.

We met with 8 potential victims face-to-face for advocacy. No criminal charges were brought against the victims.

During the advocacy, two traffickers were arrested and booked for promoting prostitution. Fentanyl and methamphetamine were seized.

 
During this time, advocates were able to meet with three of the potential victims for a 2nd, follow up meeting for advocacy. Pathways, collaborated with law enforcement teams to serve as a case manager. Numerous services and necessities were delivered to all our potential victims throughout this operation!

Message from Chief Schmitt: The Branson Police Department wants the public to know that we take these crimes very seriously. While the human trafficking suspects and victims were not from the Branson area, that practice is absolutely abhorrent. 

The participating agencies are committed to continued operations to prevent traffickers from considering our Tri-Lakes region as a place to operate. Equally important is the message to potential customers, that our agencies will arrest and charge them for soliciting crimes. I am proud of the teamwork exhibited by all agencies in bringing these criminals to justice and working diligently to help the victims exit that life.

Strafford women indicted for sexually abusing children to produce child pornography

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

Two Strafford, Mo., women were indicted by a federal grand jury today for sexually abusing two children to produce child pornography.

Mallory Nicole Bunch, 40, and Jessica Nicole Pickett, 34, were charged in a five-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield. Today’s indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Pickett on June 11, 2024.

Today’s indictment alleges that Mallory Bunch and Pickett participated in a conspiracy with Thomas Bunch (now deceased, formerly Mallory Bunch’s husband with whom they were involved in a polyamorous relationship) to sexually abuse two minor victims to produce child pornography from Sept. 2, 2016, to May 23, 2024.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, Mallory Bunch used her cell phone to record the sexual abuse of a child, identified as Minor Victim 1, at the request of Thomas Bunch. She allegedly sent videos of the sexual abuse to Thomas Bunch through text messages. In addition to the conspiracy, today’s indictment charges Mallory Bunch with one count of using Minor Victim 1 to produce child pornography and one count of distributing child pornography.

Pickett is also charged with one count of using a child victim, identified as Minor Victim 2, to produce child pornography and one count of transferring obscene matter to Minor Victim 1. According to the affidavit, Pickett shared with Minor Victim 1 an iCloud link that contained 376 images and two videos of the sexual activity of Mallory and Thomas Bunch and Pickett.

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 Stephanie L. Wan. It was investigated by the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, and the Webster County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.

Purdy Special Road District burglarized, truck, tools taken

(From the Purdy Police Department)

During the early morning hours of Tuesday June 25, 2024, someone burglarized the shop belonging to the Purdy Special Road District, located at 200 S. 9th Street in Purdy.

A utility truck belonging to the Road District was stolen, as well as several tools.

The stolen vehicle was later found burning on Farm Road 2100, South of Purdy, and was a total loss.

If you have any information about these crimes, please contact the Purdy Police Department or the Barry County Sheriff’s Department.

Springfield man sentenced to 18 years for meth trafficking, illegal firearm

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

A Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute large amounts of methamphetamine in Greene County, Mo., and illegally possessing firearms.

Justin Thomas Hollingsworth, 40, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 18 years in federal prison without parole.

On Aug. 23, 2023, Hollingsworth pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

Hollingsworth admitted he participated in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Greene County from June 1 to Aug. 25, 2022. Hollingsworth also admitted that on Aug. 25, 2022, he was in possession of a Ruger 9mm pistol and a Smith & Wesson .380-caliber pistol.

According to court documents, Hollingsworth made more than $30,000 in one month of selling methamphetamine. Hollingsworth is being held accountable for a total of nearly five kilograms of methamphetamine.

Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Hollingsworth’s residence and arrested him on June 29, 2022. Officers found nine baggies that contained a total of 342.4 grams of methamphetamine inside a black zipper case on Hollingsworth’s bed. 

On the floor of the bedroom they found another zipper case that contained a total of 23 grams of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Officers also found a loaded Ruger 9mm pistol, two loaded magazines, seven baggies of assorted prescription pills and $17,766 in cash, which the court today ordered to be forfeited to the government. Officers found more baggies of methamphetamine throughout the rest of the house.

On Aug. 25, 2022, law enforcement officers arrested Hollingsworth again, outside a local hotel, and searched his vehicle. Officers found approximately three pounds of methamphetamine, a Ruger 9mm pistol, a high-capacity drum magazine loaded with 39 rounds of ammunition for the Ruger pistol, a box of ammunition and a baggie of marijuana. Inside Hollingsworth’s hotel room, officers found a loaded Smith & Wesson .380-caliber handgun with an extended magazine, methamphetamine and marijuana. Officers also found $14,156 in cash, which the court today ordered to be forfeited to the government.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI, and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.

Juvenile arrested in shooting death of Springfield teenager

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On June 21, 2024, at 11:37 a.m., Springfield police officers responded to the report of a shooting at 2832 E. Linwood.

Officers located Davondre Thompson-Baugher, 16, with a gunshot wound at the residence. Thompson-Baugher was transported to a local hospital. On June 23, 2024, he died from his injuries. Thompson-Baugher’s family has been notified.

At the time of the incident, officers took a juvenile into custody for the shooting. The juvenile was later transported to the Greene County Juvenile Detention Center. 

The Springfield Police Department Homicide Unit presented the case to the Greene County Juvenile Office, who will make a determination regarding charges.

Detectives continue to investigate and ask anyone with additional 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) or online at p3tips.com.

This is Springfield’s fourth homicide investigation in 2024, which includes the fifth victim for the year.

Republic man killed in crash north of Marionville

A Republic man was killed in a one-vehicle accident 1:20 p.m. Sunday on MO 14 two miles north of Marionville.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox driven by Christopher V. Bell, 37, Republic, ran off the roadway, struck a sign and overturned.

Bell was pronounced dead by Dr. McCroskey at Cox South Hospital, Springfield, at 2:07 p.m.

The fatality was the 45th this year for Highway Patrol Troop D. 

Springfield Police investigating shooting death at 803 S. Douglas

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On June 5, 2024, at 6:07 a.m., Springfield police officers responded to report of a shooting at 803 S. Douglas.

Officers arrived on scene and located Darryl Douglas, 60, from Springfield, with a gunshot wound. Douglas was transported to a local hospital. On June 23, 2024, Douglas died from his injuries at the hospital.

 Douglas’ family has been notified.

Detectives continue to investigate and ask anyone with additional 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) or online at p3tips.com.

This is Springfield’s third homicide investigation in 2024, which includes the fourth victim for the year.

Springfield man killed in crash at I-44 and Glenstone

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On June 11, at 07:03 p.m., officers with the Springfield Police Department responded to a single vehicle crash at I-44 and Glenstone.

Chance Parker, 35, from Springfield, was driving a Chevrolet Tahoe westbound on I-44 approaching Glenstone. The vehicle ran off the roadway, rolled and landed next to a culvert.

 

Parker was transported to a local hospital. On June 22, Parker succumbed to his injuries and died at the hospital. Parker’s family has been notified.

The circumstances of the crash are part of an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is requested to contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810 or the tips hotline at 417-869-TIPS.

Nixa man killed in motorcycle crash on 65

A Nixa man was killed in a one-vehicle accident 6:50 a.m. Friday on U. S. 65 at the 24 mile marker in Saddlebrook.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2016 Kawasaki Ninja 650 driven by Chance D. Whitelaw, 33, Nixa, traveled off the roadway and struck the median cables, ejecting Whitelaw.

Christian County Coroner Mandi Armitage pronounced Whitelaw dead at the scene at 7:52 a.m.

The fatality was the 43rd this year for Highway Patrol Troop D.

Southwest Missouri man sentenced on meth, weapons charges

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

A southwest Missouri man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing methamphetamine and a firearm.

Billy Hile, 61, who has no known address, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 13 years in federal prison without parole.

On Nov. 9, 2023, Hile pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. Hile was sentenced as a career offender due to his prior felony convictions.

A Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper conducted a traffic stop on Sept. 15, 2021, while Hile was driving his Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck on U.S. Highway 60 in Lawrence County, Mo. Hile, who had 13 baggies of marijuana with him, admitted to the trooper that he had a medical marijuana card but purchased marijuana on the black market. Hile also admitted that he last smoked marijuana a couple of hours prior to the traffic stop. The trooper conducted field sobriety tests on Hile and arrested him for driving while intoxicated.

When the trooper searched Hile, he found marijuana and $4,795 in cash (some of which was later determined to be counterfeit). Hile also had a bag in his pants that contained a pipe, methamphetamine, cocaine, and psilocyn mushrooms.

The trooper searched Hile’s vehicle and found a loaded Glock 9mm semi-automatic pistol, which had been reported as stolen, and 91.49 grams of methamphetamine inside a Gladware container in a tackle box. The tackle box also contained drug paraphernalia.

This case was prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall D. Eggert and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Eatmon. It was investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Springfield man killed in collision at Chestnut Expressway and Cedarbrook Avenue

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On June 11, at 1:10 a.m., officers with the Springfield Police Department responded to a vehicle crash at Chestnut Expressway and Cedarbrook Avenue.

Charles Crowder, 61, from Springfield, was driving a Chevrolet Colorado westbound on Chestnut Expressway approaching Cedarbrook Avenue. 

 A Jeep Grand Cherokee, driven by Dallas Morris, 26, from Springfield, was traveling southbound on Cedarbrook Avenue. The two vehicles collided in the intersection, and the Chevrolet Colorado struck a utility pole.

 

Crowder was transported to a local hospital and pronounced deceased at the hospital. Crowder’s family has been notified.

The circumstances of the crash are part of an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is requested to contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810 or the tips hotline at 417-869-TIPS.

This was Springfield’s 10th fatal motor vehicle crash in 2024.

Aurora-Marionville Police Department captures absconder

(From the Aurora-Marionville Police Department)

A few weeks ago, we conducted a manhunt looking for Jamie Cook who had ran from us in a vehicle and then on foot. He was wanted by the Missouri Prison system as an absconder. 

Our staff didn’t give up. Today, he was captured by AMPD and added some new charges to his rap sheet. 

He is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Springfield Police arrest man for domestic assault and armed, threatening teen

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On Wednesday morning, officers responded to a domestic assault in the 500 block of N. Eldon. Darryle Cunningham, 63, threatened the victims with a firearm. Officers responded and set up a perimeter around the home.

 
Cunningham came out of the home and was arrested for domestic assault and unlawful use of a weapon.

***
Late on Monday evening last week, officers responded to a juvenile who threatened to shoot a victim near the 1800 block of N. Broadway.

 
The suspect displayed a firearm, threatened the victim, and fled in a vehicle. Officers later stopped the suspect vehicle and arrested the juvenile. Two firearms were seized from the juvenile.

 
The juvenile was arrested and booked into Greene County Juvenile.

Monett license office moving to a new location

(From the Department of Revenue)

The Missouri Department of Revenue is announcing the new management contract for the Monett License Office has been awarded to Dandelion Fields LLC. All license office contracts in Missouri are awarded through a competitive bid process. License offices are operated by independent contractors but overseen by the Missouri Department of Revenue.

The Monett License Office will be moving to a new location at 775 Chapel Dr, Suite D, Monett, Mo., 65708. This new office location will open June 6, 2024. The hours of operation will be Monday through Friday from 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. and the telephone number is 417-235-6678.

Please note the current location (200 East Broadway, Monett, Mo. 65708) will close on June 3rd to allow for transitioning of the necessary office equipment.

While the office is closed to transition to the new location, the Department encourages customers to visit one of the following nearby locations to receive assistance with their motor vehicle and driver licensing needs:

Sarcoxie License Office – 508 Center Street, Sarcoxie, Mo., 64862
Aurora License Office – 316 East Church Street, Aurora, Mo., 65605
Cassville License Office – 700 Main Street, Suite 1, Cassville, Mo., 65625



A full list of license office locations and hours of operation can be found at
dor.mo.gov/license-office-locator/.