Springfield pedestrian struck, killed on I-44

A Springfield pedestrian was killed 7:16 p.m. Thursday on westbound I-44 at Mile Marker 143.8 in Laclede County.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2016 Freightliner Cascadia driven by Tipton J. McCurley, 58, Eucha, Oklahoma, struck a pedestrian, Cullen T. May, 36, Springfield, who was standing in the roadway.

Laclede County Deputy Coroner Daniel Jones pronounced May dead at the scene at 7:29 p.m.

The fatality was the 27th this year for Highway Patrol Troop I.

Springfield man sentenced to 20 years for sexually abusing underage girl

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

A Springfield, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for video recording his sexual abuse of a 15-year-old victim.

Daren Watts, 28, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 20 years in federal prison without parole. Watts will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison and will be subject to federal and state sex offender registration requirements, which may apply throughout his life.

On June 17, 2020, Watts pleaded guilty to the sexual exploitation of a child.

According to court documents, the investigation began on June 28, 2018, when Springfield police officers responded to the sexual assault of a 15-year-old victim, whose mother had identified Watts to a Children’s Division caseworker. Both the victim and Watts admitted to juvenile authorities that they had engaged in sexual intercourse.

Law enforcement received a Cybertipline Report from Facebook, reporting that Watts had sent messages to the victim soliciting nude photographs. When investigators searched the contents of his Facebook account, they found 20 videos of Watts engaged in sexual acts with the victim. There were also multiple messages exchanged between Watts and the victim discussing their sexual encounters.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, and the FBI.

Cassville water slide owner pleads guilty to filing false tax return

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

The owner of a Cassville, Missouri waterslide attraction has pleaded guilty in federal court to making a false tax return.

Jerry Don Beebe, 67, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush on Monday, Oct. 26, to one count of making a false tax return.

Beebe owned and operated Beebe’s Roaring River Waterslide in Cassville during the investigation from 2015-2018. By pleading guilty today, Beebe admitted that he filed false federal income tax returns for tax years 2015 to 2018 because he did not want to pay additional taxes.

According to his plea agreement, Beebe was interested in selling his business and met with an undercover federal agent, posing as a potential buyer, on two occasions in October 2018 and June 2019. During the meetings, Beebe showed the undercover agent records documenting the business’s true gross receipts, which differed from what Beebe reported on his federal tax returns. Beebe’s records showed gross receipts of $135,282 for 2017 (when Beebe only reported $24,535 on his tax return) and gross receipts of $145,451 for 2018 (when Beebe only reported $29,172 on his tax return). Beebe told the undercover agent that he destroyed his records for 2015 and 2016, but stated he had gross receipts of at least $70,000 for each of these years.

Beebe admitted that he routinely destroyed his business records. Beebe told the undercover agent that he was in “the mode of secrecy.” When showing the undercover agent his 2017 and 2018 records, Beebe said he was “gun shy” and wouldn’t have these records much longer. However, the records were recovered during the execution of search warrants at Beebe’s business and residence on July 18, 2019. Beebe also dealt in large amounts of cash, and told the undercover agent that he paid everything in cash that he could.

Under the terms of his plea agreement, Beebe must pay $70,824 in restitution to the federal government and the state of Missouri for $50,966 in unpaid federal taxes from 2015 to 2018, $6,626 in unpaid Missouri income taxes from 2015 to 2018, and $13,232 in unpaid Missouri sales taxes from 2015 to 2018.

Under federal statutes, Beebe is subject to a sentence of up to three 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 Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall D. Eggert. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and the Missouri Department of Revenue – Criminal Tax Investigation Bureau.

Jury convicts Springfield man on weapons charge

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

A Springfield, Missouri, man was convicted by a federal trial jury today of illegally possessing a firearm.

Roy L. Norey, 38, was found guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Evidence during the trial indicated that Norey was in possession of an AA Arms 9mm semi-automatic pistol and ammunition on Jan. 3, 2019. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Norey has prior felony convictions for manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number.

Springfield police officers executed a search warrant at Norey’s apartment on Jan. 3, 2019, as part of a drug-trafficking investigation. Officers found the loaded pistol in the top drawer of a nightstand and a shoebox on his bed that contained both .38 and .40-caliber ammunition. Officers also found a digital scale and baggies, consistent with drug trafficking, and $16,000.

At the time of the search, Norey was driving a Chrysler 300 on West Battlefield and was stopped by a Springfield police officer because he did not have a valid driver’s license.

Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Springfield, Mo., deliberated for 55 minutes before returning the guilty verdict to U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool, ending a trial that began Monday, Oct. 26.

Under federal statutes, Norey 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 Jessica R. Sarff and Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall D. Eggert. It was investigated by Springfield, Mo. Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Cedar County Sheriff searching for missing teen

UPDATE: Paige Nicole Walker has been found and is OK, according to the Cedar County Sheriff's Office.

(From the Cedar County Sheriff's Office)

The Sheriff's Office is trying to locate Paige Nicole Walker. She was last seen by her father in the Stockton area on Friday Oct. 23rd driving a black 2007 Chevy extended cab pickup like the one in photo. 

The pickup has dents on both sides of the bed and possibly expired tags. 

We believe she stopped in Nevada Mo. to pick up belongings at her former residence after leaving Stockton. 

Paige has not been seen or heard from by family members since Friday Oct 23rd. Paige is 18 years old, 5' 1" tall and 140 lbs. 

Anyone with information please contact Deputy Zakk Yokley at the Sheriff's Office. 417-276-5133.

Five people injured, including three teens in head-on collision near Monett

Five people were injured in a two-vehicle collision 11:30 p.m. Saturday on Route H, four miles north of Monett.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2003 Dodge Stratus driven by Hailee B. Sitton, 17, Monett, was traveling southbound in the northbound lane and struck a 2007 Dodge Caliber driven by Jess M. Kampe, 37, Conway, head on.

Sitton and Kampe were treated for serious injuries at Cox South Hospital, Springfield.

Three passengers in the Kampe vehicle, Krystle S. West, 37, a 14-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl, all of Conway, were treated for minor injuries at Cox South.

Backing vehicle hits, kills two-year-old Aurora boy

A two-year-old Aurora boy was killed in an accident 12:30 p.m. Friday on private property two miles north of Aurora.

According to the Highway Patrol report, Dustin C. Miller, 31, Aurora, was backing a 2000 Ford F-250 and struck the child.

Lawrence County Coroner Scott Lakin pronounced the boy dead at the scene.

The fatality was the 97th this year for Highway Patrol Troop D.

Springfield Police service dog Rocky retiring, looking forward to the country life

(From the Springfield Police Department)

Congratulations to Police Service Dog Rocky, who retired this month after nine years of loyal service to the Springfield Police Department. Rocky, who was SPD’s only Yellow Labrador Retriever, worked in the Narcotic’s Unit, sniffing out illegal drugs and helping to get them off the streets.

During his time at SPD, Rocky was able to find and take off the streets 23,452 grams of meth, 70,668 grams of Marijuana, 116 grams of Cocaine, 500 grams of Heroin as well as recover $174,434 in drug proceeds.

According to Rocky’s handler, “nothing made Rocky happier than loading up for work and doing his job, and he did it well!” As Rocky has aged, his valuable work ethic and dedication always remained unchanged.

Now that Rocky is retired, he will live a relaxing life in the countryside full of fishing trips and fetch.  

Complete video- Springfield City Council meeting

 

Kansas woman killed, Shell Knob man, Aurora teen airlifted to Mercy following head-on collision on 39

One person was killed and two others injured in a two-vehicle collision 7:15 p.m. Tuesday on MO 39 in Jenkins.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2004 Ford Taurus driven by Shirley L. Bell, Anthony, Kansas, crossed the center line and struck a 2006 Lincoln Zephyr driven by Jereme D. Fenley, 35, Shell Knob, head on.

Barry County Coroner Gary Swearingin pronounced Bell dead at the scene at 8:20 p.m.

Fenley and a passenger in his vehicle, a 14-year-old boy, were airlifted to Mercy Hospital, Springfield, to be treated for serious injuries.

The fatality was the fourth in October and the 95th this year for Highway Patrol Troop D.

One suspect captured, one still at large after armed robbery in Branson, victim wounded by crossbow

(From the Branson Police Department)

At about 6:45 p.m. on October 8, 2020, Branson police officers responded to a report of a robbery in a wooded area off of Animal Safari Road where a caller reported two men with firearms were trying to steal a motor vehicle.

When police arrived, they found a victim who was shot by one of the robbery suspects with a crossbow. The suspects fled the scene prior to officers arriving. 

The Taney County Sheriff's Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol assisted Branson officers to establish a perimeter and thoroughly search the area. 

Officers located and arrested one suspect. Detectives continue to investigate and seek the second suspect. The victim was transported by Taney County Ambulance to Cox Hospital Branson, treated for minor injuries, and released. 

This investigation is on-going. Formal charges will be sought from the Taney County Prosecutor against both suspects. All persons involved in this incident were known to each other. This is an isolated instance with no continued threat to the public.

Springfield man killed in motorcycle crash on 76

A Springfield man was killed in a one-vehicle accident 2:30 p.m. Friday on MO 76, five miles north of Shell Knob.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2006 Yamaha YZFR1 motorcycle driven by Christopher C. Johnston, 41, Springfield, failed to negotiate a curve, left the roadway and struck a tree.

Barry County Coroner Gary Swearingin pronounced Johnston dead at the scene.

The fatality was the 93rd this year for Highway Patrol Troop D.

Springfield man killed in motorcycle crash at Broadmoor and Kansas Expressway

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On Oct. 7, 2020, at 3:27 p.m., officers with the Springfield Police Department responded to the intersection of Broadmoor and Kansas Expressway regarding a motor vehicle crash involving a 2008 Suzuki Motorcycle.

The investigation indicated the motorcycle was southbound on Kansas Expressway north of Broadmoor.

The driver, 36-year-old Brian Hicks, of Springfield, lost control of his motorcycle, left the roadway, and was ejected onto the grass median. Medical responded, but Hicks died as a result of his injuries.

Officers with the department’s Traffic Section are continuing to investigate the circumstances involved in the crash. Next of kin has been notified. Speed appears to be a contributing factor in this crash. This is the 18th fatality motor vehicle crash and the 20th total crash-related death of 2020 for Springfield.

Springfield man charged with murder after running stop sign, killing woman while fleeing from police

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On Oct. 5, 2020, at about 6:40 p.m., Springfield Police Officers were dispatched to 2020 East Bennett for the report of subjects possibly breaking into vehicles. 

As officers were arriving in the area, they were advised the subjects were leaving the location in a white box truck. 

An officer arriving in the area observed a vehicle fitting the description leaving the parking lot of the Walmart Neighborhood Market at 1320 South Glenstone. 

The officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop at the intersection of Portland and Fairway, but the vehicle failed to yield and continued traveling northbound on Fairway Avenue. The officer did not pursue the suspect vehicle. 

A short time later, the vehicle failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of Fairway and Bennett and collided with a 2011 Ford Escape driven by Beth Adams, a 66-year-old female from Springfield. 

Adams was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced deceased. Next of kin notifications have been made.

Two suspects were taken into custody at the scene of the crash. The suspect driver was identified as Andrew Hammond, a 20-year-old male from Springfield, and the passenger was identified as Seth Rievley, a 20-year-old male from Springfield. 

The Greene County Prosecutor's Office filed charges of 1st Degree Tampering with a Motor Vehicle, Felony Fleeing, and Second-Degree Murder against Hammond. Hammond is currently being held in the Greene County Jail with no bond. Rievley is currently being held on an unrelated Webster County warrant for Failure to Appear.

The Greene County Prosecutor’s Office cautions that the charges contained in the felony complaint are merely allegations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

Detectives continue to investigate and are asking 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)

Springfield man, former teacher in China, pleads guilty to sexually exploiting 12-year-old girl

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

A Springfield, Missouri, man who worked as a teacher in China has pleaded guilty in federal court to sexually exploiting one of his former students by attempting to blackmail her into sending him pornographic images.

Curtis J. Baldwin, 47, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge David P. Rush on Monday, Oct. 5, to one count of the sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of receiving and distributing child pornography.

Baldwin worked as an English language teacher in China for EF Education First. Baldwin left his employment at EF Education First China School on Nov. 20, 2019.

 

After he returned to Springfield, he contacted a 12-year-old former student, identified in court documents Jane Doe, via the WeChat application. Baldwin told Jane Doe he had video footage that showed her engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and threatened to post the video on the internet unless she sent him images and a video of herself engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Jane Doe’s father saw the WeChat messages and contacted EF Education First China School authorities.

On March 10, 2020, federal agents executed a search warrant at Baldwin’s residence. Multiple items were seized, including Baldwin’s Apple MacBook Pro, which contained files of child pornography, including multiple videos of minor Chinese females engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Under federal statutes, Baldwin is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole, up a sentence of 50 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 Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by the FBI and the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crime Task Force.

Complete video- Springfield City Council meeting

 

Police investigate death of Springfield woman

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On Sept. 29, 2020, at 10:37 a.m., the Springfield Police Department was dispatched to 2036 E. Walnut to check the well-being of a female. Officers entered the home and located a deceased female inside. Evidence found in the home warranted further investigation and detectives responded to process the scene for evidence.

The deceased person has been identified as Katherine Lear, a 62-year-old female from Springfield, MO. Next of kin notifications have been made.

Detectives continue to investigate and are asking 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).

Marshfield couple sentenced for role in Arkansas bank robbery

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

David Clay Fowlkes, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced today that David Ray Powers, age 29, of Marshfield, Missouri, was sentenced on September 30,2020, to 120 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count each of Bank Robbery and Being a felon in Possession of a Firearm and Lori Jo Stilley, age 42, of Marshfield, Missouri, was sentenced on September 17, 2020, to 41 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Bank Robbery. The Honorable P.K. Holmes III presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.

According to court records, on January 30, 2020, Powers and Stilley traveled from Missouri to Boone County, Arkansas, for the purpose of robbing a bank. Stilley assisted in the plan to rob a bank by searching on her cellular phone for locations of banks to rob. 

Powers and Stilley viewed banks in order to determine if they could readily escape after a robbery. On January 30, 2020, they entered the Arvest Bank in Lead Hill, Arkansas, and stood in line waiting for a teller. 

Once called upon, Powers placed a hand written note on the teller’s desk that stated that this was a bank robbery and demanded money. The teller complied with the Powers demands. The Teller retrieved money from a drawer totaling $1,387.00. The Teller placed the money into a tan canvass bank bag and gave the money to Powers. 

Powers took the bank bag, the hand written note, and left the bank through the front door. After receiving a vehicle description, an Arkansas State Police Trooper located a vehicle that matched the description and initiated a traffic stop. After an interview, both Powers and Stilley were arrested. The Boone County Sheriff’s Office obtained a search warrant for the vehicle and searched it. Inside the vehicle was a purse containing $1,387.00 in U.S. currency. A loaded handgun was also located under the vehicle's front seat.

Powers plead guilty to an information in June of 2020 and Stilley plead guilty to an information in May of 2020.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI, the Arkansas State Police and the Boone County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney Claude Hawkins prosecuted the case for the United States.