Springfield sex offender sentenced for child pornography

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

A Springfield, Mo., man who is a registered sex offender was sentenced in federal court today for receiving child pornography.

Marvin E. Smith, 44, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann A. Ketchmark to 16 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Smith to spend the rest of his life on supervised release following incarceration.

On March 5, 2024, Smith pleaded guilty to one count of receiving child pornography.

Smith’s state parole officer discovered images of child pornography on his cell flip phone on Feb. 8, 2023. The next day, the manager of the halfway house where Smith resided discovered a microSD card that had been taped to the back of Smith’s television. Investigators found additional files of child pornography on the microSD card, including infants and prepubescent girls being sexually assaulted and children engaged in bestiality and bound. In total, investigators found more than 6,400 files of child pornography.

Smith has prior felony convictions for possessing child pornography and residing within 1,000 feet of a school. Smith had been released from state prison eight months earlier and was on parole at the time he committed the federal offense in this case.

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.

Springfield Police investigate officer-involved shooting

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On. Nov. 21, 2024, at 12:06 a.m., Springfield police officers responded to check the well-being of a man with a firearm who was making suicidal statements near Golden Avenue and Division Street.

When officers arrived, the man pointed a firearm at officers and citizens. He continued walking west toward Ohara Avenue and Division Street. 

While officers were talking to him, the man again pointed the firearm at the officers. An officer fired their duty weapon at the man, hitting him once. Officers immediately took him into custody, and he was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No officers or citizens were injured.

The officer involved in the shooting incident has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation. The results of a concurrent criminal investigation will be presented to the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

Springfield man charged with murder in connection with June 5 shooting

(From the Springfield Police Department)

The Springfield Police Department investigated the June 5 homicide of Darryl Douglas, 60, and the case was presented to the Greene County Prosecutor’s office.

Aaron Altic, 34, was charged with 2nd degree murder, armed criminal action, unlawful possession of a firearm, and resisting arrest. Altic is being held at the Greene County Jail with no bond.

The Greene County Prosecutor’s Office cautions that the charges contained in the felony complaint are merely allegations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

Previous Release

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 dead following collision caused by juvenile running stop sign

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On Nov. 14 at 6:04 p.m., officers with the Springfield Police Department responded to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Kellett Avenue and Talmage Street.

A juvenile was driving south on Kellett Avenue in a gold 1997 Buick Century with Matthew Hill, 34, from Springfield. Nicholas Brady, 22, from Springfield, was driving a white 2003 Chevrolet S-10 west on Talmage Street, with Jayde Campbell, 22, from Springfield. 

While traveling southbound on Kellett Avenue, the juvenile disobeyed a stop sign and hit Brady's westbound vehicle. This caused Brady's Chevrolet S-10 to roll and come to rest on its passenger side.

Hill, Brady, and the juvenile were transported to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Campbell died at the scene and her family has been notified.

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

This was Springfield’s 21st fatal motor vehicle crash in 2024.

Springfield man indicted for sexual exploitation of two child victims

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

A Springfield, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for the sexual exploitation of two child victims.

Connor Wilson Zacha, 28, was charged in a three-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield.

Today’s indictment alleges that Zacha used a minor, identified as Jane Doe 1, to produce child pornography from Nov. 1, 2022, to Nov. 15, 2023. The indictment also alleges that Zacha used another minor, identified as Jane Doe 2, to produce child pornography from Oct. 1, 2023, to April 18, 2024.

The indictment also charges Zacha with one count of transporting a minor (Jane Doe 2) across state lines for the purpose of engaging in criminal sexual activity.

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 Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.