State auditor announces petition audit of Stotts City

(From State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick)

The people of Stotts City, located in Lawrence County, successfully petitioned the Missouri State Auditor's Office to conduct a performance audit of their municipality, and today State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick announced the review of the city's finances and operations is underway. The petition audit officially commenced when audit staff met with city officials on Friday, March 21.

"It has been 25 years since Stotts City has had a thorough review of its operations and the fine folks who took the time and effort to gather signatures deserve to have a closer look taken at the effectiveness and efficiency of their city government," said Auditor Fitzpatrick. 

"The audit process is extensive so I encourage residents to be patient as we work to give them a more detailed understanding of how their city government operates. I also encourage anyone with information that may be helpful to our audit to reach out through our Whistleblower Hotline."

This marks the first time the State Auditor's Office has audited Stotts City since 2000. That audit, which was also petitioned by residents, found the city did not adequately segregate accounting and bookkeeping duties, did not prepare or adopt annual budgets, and did not have a formal bidding process. The report also found the City Clerk was only depositing a portion of the utility payments, and routinely cashed personal checks for herself and friends from utility receipts.

 

Residents of Stotts City gathered 34 signatures, which were verified by the Lawrence County Clerk, to trigger the petition audit.

Individuals may provide confidential information for consideration during the audit of Stotts City to the State Auditor's Whistleblower Hotline at 800-347-8597, by email at moaudit@auditor.mo.gov or by visiting www.auditor.mo.gov/hotline.

 

Ramp to be closed at Route 39 and I-44 in Lawrence County

(From MoDOT)

TRAFFIC ALERT: Ramp CLOSED at Route 39 & I-44 in Lawrence Co. for Guardrail Repair March 12

Where: Missouri Route 39-to-eastbound I-44 on ramp (Exit 46) in Mt. Vernon

When: 10 p.m., Wednesday, March 12 through 2 a.m., Thursday, March 13

What: Contractor crews will make repairs to guardrail

Traffic Impacts

Missouri Route 39-to-eastbound I-44 on ramp (Exit 46) CLOSED to traffic

No signed detour

Signs and message boards will alert drivers approaching closure

Drivers should find alternate routes

Check MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map for road closings/traffic impacts

Weather and/or construction delays will alter the work schedule

Springfield man sentenced to 15 years for drug trafficking conspiracy, weapons offenses

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

Bryce A. LaNear, 27, Springfield, Mo., was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Brian C. Wimes today to 15 years in federal court following his guilty plea and convictions for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine as well as distribution of cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. The Court also ordered the forfeiture of $7,950 seized from LaNear that were proceeds of LaNear’s drug distribution activity.

As LaNear admitted in his plea agreement, from April of 2017 to October of 2019, he conspired with others to distribute cocaine and more than 500 grams of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine as well as possessing firearms in furtherance of the conspiracy. 

On April 19, 2017, LaNear was arrested in possession of cocaine and methamphetamine that he intended to distribute to other persons as well as five firearms which he possessed in furtherance of his drug distribution activity. 

LaNear also sold cocaine to undercover Springfield, Missouri, police officers in August, September and December of 2017. On April 11, 2018, members of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and the Springfield Police Department executed a search warrant on LaNear’s residence and discovered additional amounts of methamphetamine and another firearm. 

In May of 2018, Springfield Police Officers seized additional amounts of methamphetamine and another firearm from LaNear. The investigation concluded with the seizure on October 2, 2019, of over 5 kilograms of methamphetamine from one of LaNear’s codefendants. In total, LaNear was responsible for the distribution of over 9 kilograms of methamphetamine and over 3 kilograms of cocaine in the Springfield, Missouri, area.

This case was prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall D. Eggert and Assistant United States Attorney Cameron Beaver. It was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and the Springfield, Missouri, Police Department.

Springfield Police arrest second suspect in February 9 murder

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On Feb. 24, 2025, the Springfield Police Department Homicide Unit arrested Nikki Stark, 28, of Willard, as the second suspect in the Feb. 9 murder of Phillip Farley, 45.

Stark is being held at the Greene County Jail with no bond.

On Feb. 19, 2024, the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office charged Stark with second-degree murder, armed criminal action, and kidnapping.

Anyone with information about this incident should 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.

GCPO cautions that the charges contained in the complaint are merely allegations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

Previous release:

The Springfield Police Department continues to investigate the Feb. 9 murder of Phillip Farley, 45, and has identified Nikki Stark, 28, of Willard, as a second suspect in this case.

The case was presented to the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office (GCPO). On Feb. 19, 2024, GCPO issued a warrant for Stark’s arrest charging him with second-degree murder, armed criminal action, and kidnapping.

Stark is not in custody and SPD is requesting the public’s help to locate him. Stark is a 5-foot-10, 180-pound white man with brown hair and blue eyes.

Anyone with information about Stark’s whereabouts or any information about this incident should 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.

GCPO cautions that the charges contained in the complaint are merely allegations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

Previous release:

The Springfield Police Department Homicide Unit continues to investigate the Feb. 9 murder of Phillip Farley, 45, and identified Matthias Jones, 49, of Springfield, as a suspect in this case.

On Feb. 13, 2025, the case was presented to the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office (GCPO). Jones was charged with first-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action, kidnapping, and failure to register as a sex offender, second offense. He is being held at the Greene County Jail with no bond.

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.

GCPO cautions that the charges contained in the complaint are merely allegations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

Previous release:

On Feb. 9, 2025, at 9:07 p.m., Springfield Police Officers responded to the report of a person lying on the ground near the street at 1315 W. College St.

 

Officers located Phillip Farley, 45, from Springfield, with multiple stab wounds. Farley died on scene. Farley’s family has been notified.

No suspects have been identified at this time.

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 second homicide investigation in 2025.

Springfield Police Department saturation patrol nets five drunk drivers

(From the Springfield Police Department)

The Springfield Police Department arrested five impaired drivers during a five-hour saturation patrol on Friday, Feb. 21.

Officers used marked patrol vehicles to enforce hazardous moving violations commonly associated with intoxicated driving. There were 22 total vehicles stopped during this patrol. In addition to the five drivers arrested for driving while intoxicated, 20 citations were issued.

Taney County official pleads guilty to stealing $260,000

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

A former official with the Taney County Health Department pleaded guilty in federal court today to a scheme to embezzle approximately $260,000 from the agency.

Hugo Ricardo Huacuz, 51, waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to a five-count federal information. Huacuz pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, two counts of stealing federal funds, one count of money laundering and one count of aggravated identity theft.

Huacuz was the chief operating officer and the chief financial officer of the Taney County Health Department until he resigned on Nov. 14, 2023. Huacuz had been employed by the health department since 2011.

By pleading guilty today, Huacuz admitted that he stole from the Taney County Health Department in a scheme that lasted from March 23, 2022, to Nov. 14, 2023. Huacuz caused the health department to write checks to Argon Investments, LLC, a company organized by Huacuz and his wife. Huacuz forged the signatures of health department members, using their identities without their permission. Huacuz caused the health department to issue 15 checks totaling approximately $259,000, which were deposited into the bank account of Argon Investments.

Huacuz used the stolen funds for personal expenses charged to his personal credit card, including automobile insurance, maintenance, repair and parts; restaurants; home construction items; gasoline; airline tickets and travel, including to Chicago, Illinois, New York State, San Diego, California, College Station, Texas, Nashville, Tennessee, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Portland, Oregon; utilities; dry cleaning; clothing; dental and medical care; and payments to the Missouri Secretary of State’s office for Argon’s LLC fees.

Health board members were not aware of the existence of Argon Investments or that any checks had been issued to Argon Investments. In order to conceal his scheme from the board, Huacuz caused these checks to be coded as payments to Sanofi Pasteur, Inc., a multinational pharmaceutical company. Huacuz falsely reported to the health department’s board that some of the checks written to Argon Investments were for items purchased from Sanofi, and created false invoices from Sanofi purportedly for the purchase of pharmaceutical and medical items, including COVID-19 testing kits.

In November 2023, the director of the Taney County Health Department received information concerning Huacuz’s job performance. The information stated that Huacuz was frequently absent from his job and that he had other businesses he was operating independent from his job at the health department. After reviewing the information, the director met with Huacuz on Nov. 13, 2023, and placed him on administrative leave. Huacuz went to the bank immediately afterward and withdrew more than $24,000 from the Argon bank account, leaving a balance of $100 in the account.

Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Huacuz agrees that he embezzled at least $258,976 and, at the very least, this amount is subject to forfeiture and restitution. The government will recommend a sentence of no more than four years and six months in federal prison without parole while Huacuz will seek a sentence of three years in federal prison without parole. 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 Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall D. Eggert. It was investigated by the Department of Health and Human Services and the FBI.

Springfield Police identify second suspect in February 9 murder

(From the Springfield Police Department)

The Springfield Police Department continues to investigate the Feb. 9 murder of Phillip Farley, 45, and has identified Nikki Stark, 28, of Willard, as a second suspect in this case.

The case was presented to the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office (GCPO). On Feb. 19, 2024, GCPO issued a warrant for Stark’s arrest charging him with second-degree murder, armed criminal action, and kidnapping.

Stark is not in custody and SPD is requesting the public’s help to locate him. Stark is a 5-foot-10, 180-pound white man with brown hair and blue eyes.

Anyone with information about Stark’s whereabouts or any information about this incident should 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.

GCPO cautions that the charges contained in the complaint are merely allegations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

Previous release:

The Springfield Police Department Homicide Unit continues to investigate the Feb. 9 murder of Phillip Farley, 45, and identified Matthias Jones, 49, of Springfield, as a suspect in this case.

On Feb. 13, 2025, the case was presented to the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office (GCPO). Jones was charged with first-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action, kidnapping, and failure to register as a sex offender, second offense. He is being held at the Greene County Jail with no bond.

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.

GCPO cautions that the charges contained in the complaint are merely allegations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

Previous release:

On Feb. 9, 2025, at 9:07 p.m., Springfield Police Officers responded to the report of a person lying on the ground near the street at 1315 W. College St.

Officers located Phillip Farley, 45, from Springfield, with multiple stab wounds. Farley died on scene. Farley’s family has been notified.

No suspects have been identified at this time.

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 second homicide investigation in 2025.

Springfield Police investigate officer-involved shooting

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On Feb. 16, 2025, at 10:41 p.m., Springfield police officers responded to 3405 E. Lomita St., for a domestic disturbance where the suspect was armed with a gun.

When officers arrived, the male suspect was standing in the driveway. An officer gave the suspect verbal commands, but he refused to comply. 

The officer shot the man and life-saving measures were immediately provided. The suspect was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. No officers or bystanders 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 sex offender charged with first degree murder, kidnapping

(From the Springfield Police Department)

The Springfield Police Department Homicide Unit continues to investigate the Feb. 9 murder of Phillip Farley, 45, and identified Matthias Jones, 49, of Springfield, as a suspect in this case.

On Feb. 13, 2025, the case was presented to the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office (GCPO). Jones was charged with first degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action, kidnapping, and failure to register as a sex offender, second offense. He is being held at the Greene County Jail with no bond.

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.

GCPO cautions that the charges contained in the complaint are merely allegations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

Previous release:

On Feb. 9, 2025, at 9:07 p.m., Springfield Police Officers responded to the report of a person lying on the ground near the street at 1315 W. College St.

Officers located Phillip Farley, 45, from Springfield, with multiple stab wounds. Farley died on scene. Farley’s family has been notified.

No suspects have been identified at this time.

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 second homicide investigation in 2025.

Springfield Police Department investigates stabbing death

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On Feb. 9, 2025, at 9:07 p.m., Springfield Police Officers responded to the report of a person lying on the ground near the street at 1315 W. College St.

Officers located Phillip Farley, 45, from Springfield, with multiple stab wounds. Farley died on scene. Farley’s family has been notified.

No suspects have been identified at this time.

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 second homicide investigation in 2025.