Branson West businessman indicted on 12 counts of money laundering

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

A Branson West, Mo., man was charged with twelve counts of money laundering in a now-unsealed federal indictment filed in U.S. District Court in Springfield, Missouri.

David Vernon Lott, 69, was indicted by a federal grand jury with engaging in money laundering for offenses occurring between July 18, 2025, and Aug. 4, 2025. The indictment was unsealed following Lott’s arrest and initial court appearance today.

The indictment alleges that Lott owned and operated Missouri Holding Group (MHG), LLC which was purported to be an investment business that promised potential investors returns of 10:1, to be repaid within a short period of time. 

Instead of using monies for investments as advertised, the indictment alleges the defendant used those funds for personal use, beginning as early as January 2018, and continuing through December of that year. The indictment further alleges that the defendant used those funds to pay off a personal residence, which he sold in 2025, and used the proceeds of that sale in 12 separate transactions, each over $10,000.

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 Tony Brown. It was investigated by Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and the Missouri Secretary of State’s Securities Enforcement Division.

State revokes Cedar County funeral director's license

(From the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance)

The State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors has revoked the individual license of Charles R. “Randy” Sheldon, funeral director license number 003018 and preneed agent funeral director registration number 2010009380.

Sheldon is the owner of Sheldon Funeral Home, located in El Dorado, Missouri, and Sheldon-Goodrich Funeral Home, located in Osceola, Missouri. The board ordered the revocation of both funeral establishment licenses. However, it stayed the order for 180 days, subject to conditions, due to a pending sale of the funeral establishments. 

 

These actions were taken due to the licensee's failure to comply with probationary requirements from a previous discipline order regarding the management of preneed contracts and funds.

The revocation of the license and registration means Sheldon can no longer represent himself as a funeral director or preneed agent or perform functions that require a funeral director license or preneed agent registration. 

The State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors is the state agency that regulates the funeral profession in Missouri. In addition, the board issues individual and entity licenses within the funeral profession, sets policy regarding the practice within the profession, investigates complaints concerning individuals and entities, and takes disciplinary action against funeral profession licensees when appropriate.

Sheldon - Board Order.pdf

Springfield pedestrian dies after being hit by van

(From the Springfield Police Department)

Dustin Long, 25, died this morning after being hit by a van while crossing I-44.
This was Springfield’s sixth traffic fatality in 2026.

On April 2, 2026, at 4:55 a.m., officers with the Springfield Police Department responded to a motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian on I-44, under the Kansas Expressway bridge.

Dustin Long, 25, of Springfield, was crossing I-44, northbound, and was hit by a westbound 2025 Chevy bus driven by Wayne Robinson, 58, of Georgia. Long died at the scene and his family is aware of his death. 

The circumstances of the crash are part of an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information should contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810 or make an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 417-869-TIPS (8477) or online at p3tips.com.