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.

Strafford man indicted for firearms, meth trafficking

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

A Strafford, Mo., man who purchased more than 50 firearms has been indicted by a federal grand jury for illegally trafficking firearms and methamphetamine.

David Allen Gaunt, 57, was charged in a 16-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday, Feb. 4. The indictment replaces a criminal complaint that was filed against Gaunt on Jan. 16, 2025.

The federal indictment alleges that Gaunt participated in a conspiracy to traffic firearms from June 21, 2023, to Jan. 23, 2025. Those firearms, according to the indictment, included a Kalashnikov pistol, a Century Arms pistol, a Tokarev shotgun, a Canik pistol and an HS Produkt pistol. In addition to the conspiracy, Gaunt is charged with one count of trafficking those firearms to a recipient who was legally prohibited from possessing them.

The federal indictment also charges Gaunt with being an unlawful user of a controlled substance while in possession of 15 different firearms. Gaunt is charged with four counts of making a false statement to a licensed firearms dealer in order to purchase firearms, four counts of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, four counts of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and one count of distributing methamphetamine.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, Gaunt has personally purchased more than 50 firearms. On every purchase, the affidavit says, Gaunt marked “No” on the federal form that asked, “Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance?” Eighteen of these firearms have been recovered by law enforcement, from Gaunt and others. Additionally, 11 of the firearms Gaunt purchased have been either sold to or pawned at pawn shops.

Springfield police officers seized three of those firearms during the execution of two search warrants in separate drug-trafficking investigations in June 2023, and the Greene County Sheriff’s Department seized one of those firearms during enforcement activities in July 2023. All of the firearms were seized from individuals who were legally prohibited from possessing firearms, the affidavit says, and were traced to Gaunt as the original purchaser.

On Aug. 16, 2023, Springfield police officers stopped Gaunt near S. Glenstone Avenue and E. St. Louis Street. When officers searched his vehicle, they found six firearms. On Nov. 6, 2024, Springfield officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Gaunt. Officers seized a Sig Sauer 9mm pistol from Gaunt’s waistband. A clear plastic bag of methamphetamine was found in the center console of the vehicle.

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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Springfield man pleads guilty to traveling to Louisiana to have sex with 12-year-old

(From the U. S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana0

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that ERIC CHARLES FULLER (“FULLER”), age 54, from Springfield, Missouri, pled guilty on February 4, 2025, before United States District Judge Greg Gerard Guidry, to interstate travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2423(b).

According to court documents, on or about December 7, 2023, law enforcement personnel, operating undercover online and pretending to be a twenty-nine-year-old mother with a twelve-year-old daughter, met FULLER on a social network and messaging application. 

Over approximately the next month, on numerous occasions, FULLER discussed his interest in engaging in various sexual acts with the “mother” and daughter.” These discussions culminated in FULLER making arrangements to travel from his residence in Springfield, Missouri, to the New Orleans, Louisiana area to engage in sexual contact, individually and collectively, with the ”mother” and “daughter.” During his conversations, FULLER described the contact he anticipated as “highly taboo,” “highly illegal,” “risky,” “not the worst way to be,” and “a way to have a happier life.” FULLER drove from Springfield, Missouri on about January 11, 2024, and arrived at a predetermined location in Mandeville, Louisiana, on January 12, 2024, in order to engage in sexual conduct with the individual FULLER believed to be a twelve-year-old female.

FULLER faces a maximum term of imprisonment of thirty (30) years. FULLER also faces at least five (5) years, and up to a lifetime of supervised release, up to a $250,000 fine and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. FULLER may also be required to register as a sex offender. Sentencing before Judge Guidry has been scheduled for May 13, 2025.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg, Chief of the Public Integrity Unit, is in charge of the prosecution.

Retired Springfield K9 officer Charlie, 12, dies at home

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On Thursday, Jan. 30, retired K9 officer Charlie died at home, surrounded by his family. He was 12 years old. K9 Charlie served SPD with handler, Sgt. Michael Karnes, for six years before retiring in 2020.

Charlie, a Malinois from Denmark, came to SPD in June 2014. He was a model K9 and enjoyed working, whether it was tracking bad guys, searching buildings, conducting car sniffs, or doing article searches.

“My favorite thing about Charlie was his work ethic and I will miss him,” said Karnes. “Charlie was methodical, intelligent, and I always knew he would give his best effort. Charlie was the best partner I have ever had. The bond I had with him, unless you are a handler, is hard to describe in words.”

In retirement, Charlie continued to live with Karnes and was a member of the family. He enjoyed relaxing and playing outside in the yard.