Branson man pleads guilty to tax evasion

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

A Branson, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to tax evasion, by knowingly failing to pay more than $825,297.81 between 2013 through 2024.

Burton Cummings, 43, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Willie Epps, Jr., to one count of tax evasion, failure to pay over taxes owed to the United States.

Cummings, a former business owner, failed to pay his income taxes in their entirety with the exception of 2015. With the interest owed and penalties, Cummings owes a total of $1,604,729.02 to the United States.

According to the plea agreement, Cummings made false statements to IRS Revenue Officers, when he claimed he had no income. Cummings admitted to submitting false forms and collection statements to the IRS to avoid paying his taxes. Cummings failed to file timely tax returns for numerous years and took significant cash withdrawals from his companies, while failing to disclose the income he received.

Under federal statutes, Cummings is subject to a sentence of up to five 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 Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the IRS – Criminal Investigation.

Three dead following murder-suicide at Springfield home

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On Aug. 24, 2025, at 1:37 p.m., the Springfield Fire Department responded to 3307 W. Lombard for a structure fire and located two adults and one juvenile inside the residence with what appeared to be gunshot wounds. The Springfield Police Department responded to the scene and took over the investigation.

The Springfield Police Department Homicide Unit investigated and determined the male suspect, Ryan Parnell, 40, shot and killed Jessica Parnell, 35, and Aaliyah Perkins, 13. 

Ryan Parnell set fire to the residence then died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Ryan Parnell, Jessica Parnell, and Perkins were from Springfield. Their family has been notified.

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

Springfield man convicted in meth conspiracy

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

A Springfield, Mo., man who was found with a half-pound of methamphetamine was convicted at trial today of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Jeremy Moran Chambers, 47, was found guilty by a jury of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and felon in possession of a firearm.

Following the presentation of evidence over three days, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Springfield, Mo., deliberated for just over two hours before returning guilty verdicts to U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes, ending a trial that began on Aug. 18, 2025.

Beginning as early as Dec. 1, 2020, and continuing through Oct. 12, 2022, Chambers, and others, knowingly conspired and agreed to sell and distribute methamphetamine. On July 22, 2021, members of the Springfield, Mo., Police Department served a search warrant at a trailer occupied by Chambers and located a half-pound of methamphetamine and firearms. When interviewed, Chambers told officers that he was exchanging methamphetamine for firearms.

Five other individuals have pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Dusty Lescard, Anne Currie, and Tameka Farmer await sentencing. Tilton Tate and Erik Foster have been sentenced and received 146 months and 215 months imprisonment, respectively.

Under federal statutes, Chambers is subject to a minimum sentence of 15 years imprisonment and up to life imprisonment 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 Tony Brown and Special Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Lucas. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.

Mount Vernon man arrested after improvised explosive device found in vehicle

(From the Aurora-Marionville Police Department)

You may have heard a loud explosion last night near our shooting range. Here’s what was up.

Last night, AMPD Officer Hern made contact with a suspicious vehicle blocking an alleyway near Elliott Street and Cofield in Aurora. His suspicions grew as he contacted the driver, Nicholas McKeever.

After a consensual search of the vehicle, Officer Hern located illegal drugs and paraphernalia. But the bigger danger came when he also discovered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) inside the vehicle.

Per protocol, the Springfield Fire Bomb Squad was called to the scene. The device was confirmed to be a live explosive and was safely detonated at the range. 

McKeever was arrested for possession of an illegal weapon (explosive device). We remind the community that he is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.