Two charged in connection with theft of air conditioning units in Springfield

(From the Springfield Police Department)

A significant uptick of air conditioning units reported stolen over the summer led the Springfield Police Department Property Crimes Unit to identifying and charging Jeffrey Brockman, 40, and Brandin Hylton, 35.

Hylton and Brockman have been arrested and are being held at the Greene County Jail. Hylton has a $5,000 bond and Brockman has a $50,000 bond.

 

The Springfield Police Department presented the cases to the Greene County Prosecutor's Office. Hylton was charged with stealing and tampering with a motor vehicle. Brockman was charged with felony stealing and tampering with a motor vehicle.

Cpl. Zachary Pugh was initially assigned to one theft report and, after identifying Brockman and Hylton, was able to connect the suspects with 12 other similar theft reports. In total, 16 air conditioning units were stolen with a total financial loss to the businesses of $100,000-150,000.

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.

Crane man, former KC police officer sentenced for sexual exploitation of a child

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

A Crane, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for sexually exploiting a child.

Jeffrey Prowant, 47, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 30 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Prowant to spend the rest of his life on supervised release following incarceration. 

Prowant 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.

Prowant was a Kansas City, Mo., police officer from 2000 to 2002 and a Monroe County, Michigan, sheriff’s deputy from 2002 to 2005.

On Nov. 16, 2022, Prowant pleaded guilty to the sexual exploitation of a child. Prowant admitted that he engaged in online conversations via the Kik application with an undercover FBI employee. During those online conversations, Prowant shared pornographic images of a 14-year-old victim with whom he claimed to be sexually active. Prowant offered to meet the undercover FBI employee in person to engage in illegal sexual activity.

On Sept. 29, 2021, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Prowant’s residence. Prowant delayed answering the front door for nine minutes, during which time he deleted the Kik application and a folder containing suspicious images.

The 14-year-old child victim told investigators that Prowant had sexually assaulted her and confirmed that he took pornographic photos of her.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan. It was investigated by the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, and the Stone County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.

Investigation continues into shooting death of Springfield woman

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On Nov. 13, 2023, at 8:16 p.m., Springfield police officers responded to a report of a person shot at 4231 W. La Siesta Place.

Officers found Lacey Nix, 32, from Springfield, on the ground with a gunshot wound. Medical personnel performed lifesaving efforts, but Nix died at the scene. Nix’s family has been notified.

The person who shot Nix has been questioned by detectives but has not been arrested 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.

Once the investigation is completed, the case will be presented to the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office, who will review and decide on filing criminal charges.

This is Springfield’s 16th homicide investigation in 2023.

Willard man killed in motorcycle crash on 160

A Willard man was killed in a one-vehicle accident 6:30 p.m. Monday on U. S. 160 a mile and a half north of Springfield.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2013 Yamaha FZ6R driven by Joseph M. Castillo, 32, Willard, traveled off the right side of the roadway with Castillo being ejected.

Castillo was pronounced dead at 7:27 p.m. by Dr. Draper at Mercy Springfield.

The fatality was the 127th this year for Highway Patrol Troop D. 

Mount Vernon man cited for DWI following injury accident

A Mount Vernon man was cited for driving while intoxicated following a one-vehicle crash 7:03 p.m. Monday on MO 39 three miles south of Miller.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2005 Dodge Neon driven by Derak R. Russell, 24, Mount Vernon, traveled off the roadway.

Russell, who was also cited for failing to drive on the right half of the roadway, was treated for serious injuries at Cox South Hospital, Springfield.

 

Springfield man arrested following attempted child abduction at Walmart

(From the Springfield Police Department)

Officers responded yesterday to the report of an attempted abduction at Walmart at 444 W Grand at 4:21 p.m.

 
Nelson Vrana, 58, attempted to take a child. The child was quickly removed from Vrana before he left the premises. Officers later located and arrested him.

Vrana was booked into the Greene County Jail for child kidnapping. The child is safe.

Aurora man killed in house fire

(From the Aurora-Marionville Police Department)

On 11-12-2023 at just after 11:00pm, AMPD along with Aurora City Fire were dispatched to 411 S. Roosevelt for a reported structure fire.

 
Upon arrival, it was discovered the rear area of the house was fully involved and interior and exterior fire fighting began immediately. Aurora Rural Fire also arrived with mutual aid assistance.

While fighting the fire inside the home, firefighters located an elderly male subject on the floor. He was removed to the exterior of the house where resuscitation efforts began. 

Tragically, efforts to save his life were not successful and he passed away. The victim of this fire was William (Bill) Medlin (80) of Aurora. Next of kin have been notified.

An investigation into the fire was conducted. It is preliminarily believed the origin of the fire was in the electrical/heating systems in the house.

 
We extend our deepest sympathies to the Medlin family during this difficult time.

Branson pedestrian struck by car, airlifted to Mercy Springfield with serious injuries

A Branson man was injured in a car-pedestrian accident 6:15 p.m. Saturday on Route J in Golden.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2004 Ford F150 driven by John W. Prier, 86, Golden, struck Moises F. Stratton, 47, Branson, a pedestrian who was in the roadway.

Stratton was airlifted to Mercy Springfield with serious injuries.

 

Pea Ridge man flown to Cox South, Washburn woman injured in collision on 90

Two people were injured in a two-vehicle accident 8 p.m. Saturday on MO 90 three miles west of Washburn.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 1982 Ford F100 driven by Mike D. Vigil, 57, Pea Ridge, Arkansas, failed to negotiate a curve and struck a 2015 Ford Escape driven by Crystal N. Junior, 38, Washburn.

Vigil was airlifted to Cox South Hospital, Springfield, with serious injuries.

Junior was treated for minor injuries at Mercy Cassville. 

Taney County Dissolution of Marriage Petitions

Troy M. Glore vs. Kristi L. Glore

Amanda M. Hubbard vs. Joshua W. Hubbard

Stacy Vaughan vs. James R. Vaughan

Nathalie Whittaker vs. Javier Valdes

Lisa M. Dodd vs. Paul F. Dodd

Chad E. Jones vs. Katrina Jones

Jody J. Intravia vs. Kristina Intravia