Springfield gang member sentenced on weapons charge

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

A Springfield, Mo., man who was closely associated with a local street gang known as “FTO,” was sentenced in federal court for illegally possessing firearms, one of which has been linked to multiple shootings.

Ty’lan Lamar Spencer, 22, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to 60 months in federal prison without parole, to be followed by three years of supervised release.

According to court documents, on May 28, 2021, law enforcement stopped a vehicle in which Spencer was a passenger. Under the backseat officers found a loaded Pioneer Arms, Hellpup, 7.62 caliber, semi-automatic pistol. Spencer admitted the Hellpup firearm belonged to him and admitted he was a regular user of marijuana. It is a violation of Federal law for an unlawful user of a controlled substance to knowingly possess a firearm.

On June 1, 2023, Spencer was caught on surveillance footage at a gas station brandishing a firearm during an argument. A warrant was issued for this incident, and he was arrested on Aug. 4, 2023.. During Spencer’s arrest, officers found a loaded Taurus, G2C, 9mm, semi-automatic pistol in his pants pocket. Spencer was with another FTO associate. During a search of the associate’s vehicle, officers found a Glock, 23 Gen 5, .40 caliber, semiautomatic pistol with an extended magazine. Spencer admitted that the Glock firearm found in the vehicle belonged to him.

The Taurus pistol was submitted to the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (“NIBIN”) and leads were generated indicating that the firearm was used in two unresolved shootings, one that occurred on July 20, 2023, and the other that occurred on July 30, 2023.

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, and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.

Mexican national pleads guilty to reentering U. S. illegally

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

A Mexican national pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally reentering the United States after he was previously deported.

Javier Luis Arias-Zamudio, aka Jose Luis Cordova, 34, pleaded guilty before Magistrate Judge David P. Rush, to a federal indictment charging him with one count of illegal reentry after a felony conviction.

According to court documents, on Oct. 23, 2025, deputies with the Christian County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle being driven by Arias-Zamudio and determined that he was unlawfully present in the United States.

Arias-Zamudio has previously been convicted of felony illegal reentry, in the District of Arizona, in 2021, and removed from the United States on April 21, 2021, through Nogales, Ariz. Additionally, Arias-Zamudio was previously removed from the United States on May 5, 2017, and August 29, 2019, at Laredo, Tx.

Under federal statutes, Arias-Zamudio is subject to a sentence of up to 10 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 Casey Clark. It was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security – Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Sparta, Missouri Police Department, and the Christian County, Missouri Sheriff’s Office.

Ozark time share salesman sentenced to prison for tax evasion

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

An Ozark, Mo., timeshare salesman was sentenced in federal court today for attempting to evade taxation.

Ryan J. McMillin, 52, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 18 months in federal prison without parole, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. McMillin was ordered to pay $460,283.00 in restitution and an additional $149,396.68 in interest.

McMillin, who pleaded guilty on June 18, 2025, admitted that he did not report income he received while employed as a timeshare salesman with four different companies from 2018 to 2023. McMillin submitted eight different forms to his employers falsely claiming exempt status during those years. Because McMillin claimed exempt status on his W-4s his employers did not withhold taxes from McMillin’s paychecks. McMillin then failed to make an income tax return or pay the $581.981 in income taxes he owed to the IRS for those six calendar years.

“This time of year, IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) is especially focused on investigating tax fraud. This sentence is an important victory for every taxpayer who plays by the rules, and it sends a message to those who attempt to shirk their responsibilities,” said Special Agent in Charge William Steenson, IRS-Criminal Investigation, St. Louis Field Office. “Thanks to our partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, those who defraud the U.S. government through tax evasion will be held accountable.”

“Don’t become a convicted felon because you think you can get away with cheating the government on paying your fair share of taxes,” said R. Matthew Price, United States Attorney.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Clark. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.

Springfield woman pleads guilty to mail fraud, identity theft

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

A Springfield, Mo., woman pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday for her role in a mail fraud scheme in which false documents were submitted to the Missouri Department of Revenue to obtain mechanics liens and titles for vehicles that had previously been reported stolen.

Christie Engle, 49, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Willie J. Epps, Jr., to one count of mail fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, and one count of money laundering.

According to the plea agreement, Engle worked as an employee for Dennis Cleveland, the owner of Affordable Towing. Cleveland directed his employees, one of which was Engle, to submit fraudulent documents to the Missouri Department of Revenue. 

The purpose of the documents was to obtain substitute or replacement mechanics liens and vehicle titles that would allow Cleveland, through Affordable Towing, to sell the vehicles. In each instance, the documents submitted by Engle, at the direction of Cleveland, claimed to have received permission from the vehicle’s owner. 

Upon reviewing the documents, it was discovered that none of the listed vehicle owners gave Engle, Cleveland, or Affordable Towing permission to seize or sell their vehicle. Further, in all these documents, a signature in the name of the vehicle’s owner was provided and was confirmed to be a forgery. In those instances that Engle was successful in obtaining a replacement lien or title at Cleveland’s direction, from the Missouri Department of Revenue, Cleveland sold the vehicles at his used car dealership. 

 In those instances that Engle was unsuccessful in obtaining a replacement title or mechanics lien at Cleveland’s direction, the vehicle was sold to a local scrapyard. Under either circumstance, Engle carried out criminal acts at Cleveland’s direction, who then took all the proceeds from the vehicle’s sale or scrapping of these vehicles for himself. Each of the vehicles involved in this scheme were confirmed to have been reported stolen and Engle, Cleveland or Affordable Towing did not have permission to possess, sell, or scrap any of these vehicles.

In December 2025, Cleveland also pleaded guilty to the same charges and is awaiting sentencing.

Under federal statutes, Engle is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole for the offense of mail fraud. Further, Engle is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole for the offense of money laundering. Finally, Engle is subject to a sentence of 2 years, to run consecutively to the mail fraud and money laundering, for the offense of aggravated identity theft. 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 Missouri Department of Revenue, Compliance and Investigation Bureau, the United States Post Inspection Service, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Springfield man sentenced for firearms violation

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

A Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing firearms.

Aaron Wayne Williams, 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 104 months in federal prison without parole, to be followed by an additional three years of supervised release.

Williams pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm on May 27, 2025. Williams has previous felony convictions for domestic assault in the third degree, attempted burglary in the first degree, property damage motivated by discrimination in the second degree, possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful use of a weapon.

On Jan. 8, 2025, Springfield, Mo., Police Department officers contacted Williams after observing Williams sleeping in his running vehicle in the parking lot of the Kum & Go located at 2963 East Division Street. Officers observed a Ruger, Mini 14, semiautomatic rifle beside Williams as he slept. Officers woke Williams up and removed him from the vehicle. After a search of the vehicle, officers found three additional firearms on Williams and in the vehicle: a Taurus, G2S, 9mm pistol; an HS Produkt, XD, .40 caliber pistol; and a Star, 9mm pistol. Officers also located suspected methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, loose ammunition, and additional firearm magazines in the vehicle. When law enforcement interviewed Williams, he admitted that he was under the influence of controlled substances when he was contacted by the Springfield Police Department officers.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.

Retired Springfield firefighter killed in 3-vehicle accident

(From the Springfield Police Department)

Willis King, 57, died this morning in a three-vehicle crash on Highway 65.

This was Springfield’s first fatal vehicle crash in 2026.

King retired from the Springfield Fire Department in 2018 as a fire equipment operator. He served the Springfield community for 24 years.

Incident details

On Jan. 20, 2026, 7:54 a.m., officers with the Springfield Police Department responded to a three-vehicle crash in the 1600 block of North U.S. Highway 65.

Willis King, 57, of Fordland, was northbound in a 2008 Buick Lacrosse and hit the back of a 2014 Dodge Ram driven by Robert Caton, 34, of Nixa, then left the roadway to the right. The initial impact caused the Dodge to hit a 2021 Ford Explorer driven by Alyssa Tapio, 35, of Rogersville.

King was transported to the hospital where he died. King’s family has been notified.

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 a p3tips.com.

Springfield man sentenced for fentanyl trafficking, weapons charge

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

A Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court yesterday for fentanyl distribution and illegally possessing firearms.

Darius Burnett, 27, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to a total sentence of 13 years in federal prison without parole.

Burnett pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute 40 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing fentanyl and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on May 8, 2025.

On Nov. 8, 2023, investigators with the ATF, DEA, and Springfield Police Department executed a search warrant at Burnett’s residence. During the search of Burnett’s apartment and vehicle, officers located four loaded semi-automatic pistols, including two with extended magazines, body armor, ammunition, marijuana, over 1,000 pills containing fentanyl, and $78,935.80 in cash. In an interview, the defendant described himself as the “top dude” in Springfield, Missouri, for fentanyl sales, stated that he was purchasing 5,000 pills a month from a source in St. Louis, Missouri, and admitted that the cash located by law enforcement were drug proceeds.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.

Barry County Sheriff's Office searching for stolen Dodge Dakota

(From the Barry County Sheriff's Office)

**STOLEN**

1993 Dodge Dakota
MO Plate 8WGH48

Stolen from Seligman this morning(12/25/2025)

If you have any information, please contact dispatch at 417-847-3121.

 

Springfield Police investigate officer-involved shooting

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On Dec. 24, 2025, at 9 p.m., Springfield police officers responded to a domestic disturbance in the 2400 block of N. East Ave. 

The suspect was holding the victim against her will. As officers were setting up a perimeter, the victim escaped the home. The suspect exited the residence with a gun pointed at officers. Officers then engaged and shot the suspect. Officers immediately rendered aid, and the suspect was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

There were no other reported injuries. 

The officers involved in the shooting incident have 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.

This is an active investigation. Anyone with information about this incident can call the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810 or make any anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 417-869-8477 (TIPS) or online at p3tips.com.

Arrest made following Vernon County shooting, victim in critical condition

(From the Vernon County Sheriff's Office)

The Vernon County Sheriff's Office responded to a shots fired call in the Montevallo area on 12/22/2025. After arriving on scene sheriff deputies were able to secure a suspect. It was determined that there was a victim with multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was treated from Vernon County Ambulance District and life flighted from the scene. 

The suspect in custody was taken to the Vernon County Sheriff's Office and placed on a 24-hour investigative hold pending charges. 

A probable cause affidavit was sent to the Vernon County Prosecuting Attorney. The prosecuting attorney filed charges for the following. 

Johnny Grandsbury

25VE-CR00631
Armed Criminal Action (Felony Unclassified)
Assault- 1st degree or Attempt (Felony A)
Unlawful use of Weapon- Subsection- Death or Injury (Felony A)

Gransdbury is currently being held at the Vernon County jail with No Bond.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.