Nixa man charged in death of Springfield man following assault in Rumors Cabaret parking lot

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On January 30, 2022, at approximately 1:23 a.m., the Springfield Police Department was dispatched to the Rumor’s Cabaret parking lot at 1750 S. Glenstone Ave., to investigate an assault. When officers arrived, they located a male who had suffered injuries from an assault. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

On February 20, 2022, the victim, identified as Jeffrey K. Brent, 37, from Springfield, Missouri, succumbed to his injuries. Brent’s family was notified.

 

The Springfield Police Department Violent Crimes Unit identified Jasmin Hopkins, a 32-year-old male from Nixa, Missouri, as a suspect in the case. On March 21, 2022, Hopkins was arrested and booked into the Greene County Jail.

On March 22, 2022, the case was presented to the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office. Hopkins was charged with 1st Degree Involuntary Manslaughter and bond was set at $25,000.

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).

Marionville man, 78, sentenced to 18 years for producing child pornography

 

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

A Marionville, Missouri, man has been sentenced in federal court for producing child pornography and for receiving and distributing child pornography over the internet.

James Crowder, 78, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes on Thursday, March 17, to 18 years and four months in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Crowder to spend the rest of his life on supervised release following incarceration.

On March 29, 2021, Crowder pleaded guilty to one count of using a minor to produce child pornography and one count of receiving and distributing child pornography.

According to court documents, a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in June 2020 indicated that Google discovered files that contained child pornography uploaded to Crowder’s account and that Twitter discovered a file that contained child pornography in Crowder’s tweet.

Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Crowder’s residence on Aug. 6, 2020. Crowder was questioned and admitted he had exchanged images and videos of child pornography (depicting children as young as five years old) with others for a period of at least four years. Crowder also told investigators he placed a hidden camera in a bathroom to obtain videos and images of children, then distributed those files over the internet.

Officers seized several digital storage devices, which contained multiple images of child pornography. Investigators also found evidence that Crowder had actively received and distributed a number of images and videos of child pornography over the internet.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force.

Springfield pedestrian killed at intersection of Grand and Glenstone

 

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On March 17, 2022, at 6:30 a.m., the Springfield Police Department responded to the intersection of Grand and Glenstone in reference to a crash involving a pedestrian and a vehicle.

A 2014 Ford Transit, driven by Michael Robinson, 55, of Springfield, Missouri, was southbound on Glenstone in the right lane. 

The pedestrian, Mantak Chiu, 82, of Springfield, was westbound in the crosswalk, south of the intersection. The front of the Ford Transit struck the right side of Chiu. Chiu was pronounced deceased at the scene.

There were no indications of impairment, but the investigation is ongoing as to the circumstances involved in the crash. Next of kin has been notified.

This is Springfield’s third traffic fatality, but first pedestrian fatality in 2022.

Taney County couple sentenced for sexually assaulting children, child pornography

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

A Merriam Village, Missouri, couple was sentenced in federal court today for sexually assaulting two young children to produce child pornography, and for receiving and distributing child pornography.

Mark John Millman, 37, a citizen of Great Britain and a legal alien resident, and his wife and co-defendant, Tara Sau Millman, 42, were sentenced in separate hearings before U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes. Mark and Tara Millman each were sentenced to 35 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced them to spend the rest of their lives on supervised release following incarceration.

Both Millmans pleaded guilty to one count of the sexual exploitation of minors and one count of receiving and distributing child pornography. Both Mark and Tara Millman have been in federal custody since their arrest and have been detained without bail.

The Millmans admitted that Mark used Tara’s iPhone to record video of her performing a sexual act on a 2-year-old child, identified in court documents as John Doe. Mark Millman admitted that he sexually assaulted a 4-year-old child victim, identified in court documents as Jane Doe, which was also recorded on video. Investigators found images and videos of child pornography on the Millmans’ iPhones, including files that depicted the Millmans sexually assaulting both child victims.

Mark and Tara Millman each admitted they used a social media application to share child pornography over the internet, and that they viewed child pornography together.

The investigation began when agents with Homeland Security Investigations in San Diego, California, began investigating users of a cloud storage platform (identified in court documents as “Cloud Platform A”). 

The cloud platform provides encrypted, cloud-based services that enable private, secure online storage, communication, and collaboration for business and individuals. 

During the investigation, the agents accessed a weblink to an encrypted chat room with approximately 145 registered users. Files containing child pornography were uploaded/posted by participants in the chat room. Many users were actively involved in the distribution of child pornography. The child pornography distributed within the chat included 129 video files, 324 image files, and 43 cloud-storage weblinks which contained files of child pornography.

Mark Millman’s email was identified among the registered users of the chat room, and a search warrant was executed at the Millmans’ residence in Taney County, Mo., on Jan. 28, 2021.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force.

Walnut Grove man killed in car-motorcycle collision at 2003 E. Kearney

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On March 2, 2022, at 12:39 p.m., the Springfield Police Department was dispatched to 2003 E. Kearney regarding a two-vehicle crash involving a car and a motorcycle.

The 2006 Honda motorcycle, driven by Aaron Long, 37, from Walnut Grove, Missouri, was westbound on Kearney at a high rate of speed when a 2005 Nissan Sentra entered the roadway from a service road north of Kearney and was struck by the motorcycle. 

Long was ejected from the motorcycle and sustained life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Nissan Sentra was not injured.

On March 8, 2022, Long died because of the injuries sustained in the crash. Next of kin notifications have been made.

Officers with the department’s Traffic Section continue to investigate the circumstances involved in the crash and are asking anyone who has additional information to contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810.

This is Springfield’s second traffic fatality in 2022.

Rogersville man sentenced to 30 years for child sexual exploitation, illegal firearms, $1 million investment fraud scheme

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

A Rogersville, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for three separate cases in which he was convicted of child sexual exploitation, a nearly $1 million investment fraud scheme, and illegally possessing 19 firearms.

Roy G. Harris, Jr., 57, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to 30 years in federal prison without parole. Harris was sentenced to 20 years on the child exploitation offenses, five years on the wire fraud offense, and five years on the firearms offenses, for a total of 30 years.

The court also ordered Harris to pay $809,260 in restitution to the victims of his wire fraud scheme and $5,000 to the victim of his child sexual exploitation and child pornography crimes.

On Feb. 27, 2019, Harris pleaded guilty to a one-count information charging him with wire fraud. He was indicted in a second case on Aug. 23, 2019, and on a third case on March 23, 2021. On Aug. 3, 2021, Harris pleaded guilty to all three counts of the second case – one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, one count of possessing an illegal firearm, and one count of unlawfully possessing an unregistered firearm. On Aug. 19, 2021, Harris pleaded guilty to both counts of the third case – one count of the sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of receiving and distributing child pornography.

Regarding his wire fraud conviction, Harris admitted that he engaged in an investment fraud scheme from June 2014 to May 2017. The total loss to victims of his fraud was at least $921,250. Harris has paid back some of the money to various investors.

Harris was the owner of two limited liability companies, Orthogistic, LLC, and Amniogistic, LLC. He was also the owner of a corporation, Orthogistic Labs, Inc. He solicited investments from individuals, including a victim identified in court documents as “P.K.,” a resident of New Jersey who invested $60,000 in Orthogistic Labs, Inc. Harris made representations to these individuals that he knew were false, and used some of the money obtained from his victims for other purposes and for his personal benefit. Harris failed to tell investors that he had been convicted in 2002 of the felony crimes of fraud in the sale of a security, deceptive business practice, and stealing. In some cases, he told potential investors, including P.K., that he did not have any prior criminal charges or convictions for theft or related offenses.

After pleading guilty to wire fraud, Harris was in possession of 19 firearms, including 12 rifles and seven pistols, which were at his residence. One of the rifles, which was not registered, had a short barrel length and did not have a stock designed to be fired from the shoulder. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition.

While investigating the firearms offenses, law enforcement officers searched two iPhones that belonged to Harris. The phones contained images and videos of child pornography. Among them was an image of a victim under the age of 15 whom Harris met online and solicited to engage in sexual activity.

While awaiting trial on his firearms and sexual exploitation charges, Harris solicited at least one individual to murder several witnesses related to the firearms charges. Harris made video calls from the Greene County Jail to another person, whom he asked for assistance with murdering several people so that he would not have to serve a lengthy prison sentence. Harris offered to pay him with property, including a motorcycle.

These cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Clark. They were investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI, the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, and the Missouri Securities Division.

Springfield Police investigate death of 8-month-old at home child care service

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On March 2, 2022, the Springfield Police Department responded to 2823 N. Washington for the report of an infant not breathing. Officers performed CPR on the infant until other first responders arrived.

The eight-month-old infant was transported to the hospital by EMS and pronounced deceased at the hospital. Next of kin have been notified.

The Springfield Police Department’s Child Victims Unit began an investigation into the death.

The infant was cared for by Deborah Lundstrom, 47, of Springfield, Mo., at the time of death. Lundstrom was operating a childcare service at the residence and was responsible for nine children under age three.

On March 2, 2022, Lundstrom left her home for approximately 12 minutes leaving all nine children unsupervised. Lundstrom placed the eight-month-old into a car seat before leaving. When Lundstrom returned, she found him not breathing and called 911.

The Greene County Medical Examiner’s Office performed an autopsy, and the cause of death is still under investigation.

The case was presented to the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office. On March 8, 2022, Lundstrom was charged with 1st Degree Involuntary Manslaughter, 1st Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child – Death of a Child, eight counts of 1st Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child Creating a Substantial Risk and Operating a Child Care Facility Without a License.

Lundstrom was arrested by SPD detectives and is currently incarcerated at the Greene County Jail.

The Greene County Prosecutor’s Office cautions that the charges contained in the felony complaint are merely allegations and that the defendants are 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. You may also provide information anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 417-869-TIPS (8477).

Report shows crime down 6.9 percent last year in Springfield

(From the Springfield Police Department)

The Springfield Police Department’s 2021 crime report tracks and analyzes more than 50 crime types in three categories: crimes against persons, crimes against property and crimes against society. The report also contains a comparison to crime report numbers from 2020.

In 2021, there was a 3.6 percent increase (+211 reports) for crimes against persons, an 11.3 percent decrease (-1,928 reports) for crimes against property, and a 2.2 percent decrease (-60 reports) for crimes against society. Overall, crime in Springfield in 2021 was down 6.9 percent (-1,777 reports) compared to 2020.

“Through tracking and releasing crime data, we can give citizens a realistic look at crime in our community,” Police Chief Paul Williams said. “The information helps us identify successful policing strategies as well as highlighting areas where we can make improvements through community-wide participation in crime prevention.”

This is the first time SPD has been able to compare a full year of crime report data since switching to the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), administered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in January 2020. The implementation of NIBRS allows for a significantly more comprehensive look at crime in the community compared to the data tracked in previous years.

The 2021 crime report also features updated clearance rates. Clearance rates are fluid and change over time as investigations progress and eventually lead to prosecution. The side-by-side comparison serves as an example of how clearance rates have and will continue to evolve.

The crime prevention initiative, launched in early 2022, aims to reduce crime in the community through the education of the public. With the public’s help, SPD can continue the trend of reducing crime in Springfield. To learn more, visit springfieldmo.gov/crime.

SPD 2021 Crime Report

Springfield Police investigate discovery of human remains

(From the Springfield Police Department)

The Springfield Police Department received information indicating that human remains had been buried at 810 W. Catalpa.

On March 3, 2022, a search warrant was served at this location. Investigators from the Springfield Police Department conducted an extensive search and located no human remains.

This investigation is not related to the “Three Missing Women” case.

Springfield man sentenced to 13 years for meth conspiracy

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

A Springfield, Missouri man was sentenced in federal court today after law enforcement officers seized more than two kilograms of methamphetamine from his residence.

Walter M. Terrell, 37, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 13 years in federal prison without parole.

On Sept. 1, 2021, Terrell pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Greene and Cass counties from May 10 to Nov. 8, 2018. Terrell admitted that he made multiple trips to Texas to acquire kilogram quantities of methamphetamine, which he distributed to others, including co-defendants Christopher Iavolo, 43, and Xlyona Sharp, 38, both of Springfield.

Springfield police officers executed a search warrant at Terrell’s residence on Sept. 5, 2018. Officers found a blue duffle bag next to the couch that contained three bags with a total of 2.625 kilograms of methamphetamine. Terrell, who admitted he recently returned from Texas with a little more than three kilograms of methamphetamine, told officers he usually paid $8,000 to $9,000 for each kilogram of methamphetamine. Officers also seized $12,000 from the residence and $2,600 found in Terrell’s front pocket. Terrell has forfeited to the government the total $14,600 that was seized.

Terrell’s role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy occurred while he was on bond for a state charge of possessing a stolen firearm.

Terrell is the fourth and final defendant to be sentenced in this case.

Sharp was sentenced on Nov. 30, 2021, to seven years in federal prison without parole after pleading guilty to her role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy. Sharp also pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

Iavolo was sentenced on Jan. 6, 2022, to six years in federal prison without parole after pleading guilty to his role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy. Iavolo also pleaded guilty to possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

On Nov. 6, 2018, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Iavolo’s residence. Iavolo had a loaded Beretta .32-caliber semi-automatic pistol tucked inside the back of his pants. When officers searched a bedroom, they found a Masterpiece Arms 9mm semi-automatic pistol with an extended high capacity magazine in between the bed’s box spring and mattress. Underneath the bed, they found a loaded HK .22-caliber semi-automatic rifle, a loaded Romarm 7.62x39mm semi-automatic rifle, and a rifle case that contained two loaded Glock 9mm semi-automatic handguns, a loaded Cobra .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol, a loaded Star .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol, a loaded Jennings 9mm semi-automatic pistol, numerous handgun magazines, ammunition, a large knife, a rifle scope, and handgun holsters.

Officers also found a safe inside the bedroom closet that contained 33.37 grams of methamphetamine. The bag appeared as if there was once much more methamphetamine inside of it based upon the amount of residue. There was also a metal scoop inside the bag.

Co-defendant Michael D. Johnson was sentenced on Dec. 1, 2021, to seven years and three months in federal prison without parole. Johnson pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica R. Sarff. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department and the Pleasant Hill, Mo., Police Department.