UPDATE: Preliminary Hearing Date Set For 17 Year Old Charged With First Degree Murder In The Shotgun Slaying Of His Guardian:

An Amber Alert was issued in Missouri (12-30-08) yesterday for two foster children that were missing from their Patton home.

Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to the home of Mickey and Pamela Ackman Tuesday afternoon after Mickey Ackman returned to the home about 4:30 and found his wife dead and the two kids missing.

The boys were found safe at the home of a relative in Nearby Marble Falls Wednesday morning.

Now the older of the two boys, John Wilfong, 17, has been charged with first degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of 48 year-old Pamela Ackman.

The Southeast Missourian reports that Wilfong had his 9-year-old foster brother, Jacob Humphrey, keep watch from his bedroom window so he could tell him when he spotted Mrs. Ackman's S-U-V coming up the driveway on Tuesday.

Wilfong allegedly lay in wait in the living room of the family home and ambushed his guardian when she returned home from work; shooting her twice in the head and once in the neck with a rifle, according to authorities.

According to court documents, the shotgun slaying of Pamela Ackman (left) was premediated.

The press release sent with the Amber Alert described the boys as foster children. However, Missouri Department of Social Services spokesman Brian Hauswirth said the Ackmans were not considered Wilfong's foster parents because the teen had not been in state custody. Sources say that both boys had lived in the Ackman home for several years.

Pamela Ackman was a cousin of John Wilfong. The Ackman's were granted guardianship of the boy in 2003 after both of his parents were deemed unsuitable by the court.

A relative of Wilfong, Jerry Fox, told KSDK-TV that the boys were at his Marble Hill home early Wednesday when he heard about the murder on the news and heard the boys' names on a police scanner.

Fox said he called 911 and told Wilfong the police would be arriving. He said Wilfong asked him what he should do. He told the teen to stay put until they got there.

Prosecuting Attorney Stephen Gray said Wilfong is being held in the Bollinger County Jail on a half million dollars bail. He is scheduled to be formally arraigned January 7, 2009.

Wilfong's father, Henry Wilfong, was charged with first degree murder and armed criminal action in Wayne County in 2002. It is alleged that Henry Wilfong shot his brother David Wilfong in the head after he bragged about having sex with his wife, Sonya.

Henry Wilfong is being held at Fulton State Hospital after being found mildly mentally retarded and incompetent to stand trial.

9 year-old Jacob Humphrey has been placed in the custody of the state.

Visitation services for Pamela Ackman will be Friday, January 2, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Liley Funeral Home in Patton.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Liley Funeral Home in Patton.

UPDATE: Attorneys for John Wilfong waived formal arraignment today (1-07-09) and entered a plae of not guilty on behalf of their client. Wilfong's preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Feburary 17, 2009.
***image in orange jail clothes semissourian

https://www.courts.mo.gov/casenet/base/welcome.do

08G6-CR00330 - STATE V JOHN WAYNE WILFONG

UPDATED LIST: Over 28 People Busted In Undercover Drug Sting In Douglas County:

Twenty eight people have been busted in Douglas County on drug charges after a six month undercover investigation.

The focus of the investigation for the South Central Drug Task Force and the Missouri Highway Patrol was the distribution/sales of methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, heroin, and prescription medications.

Grand jury indictments for each defendant were obtained through the Douglas County Prosecutors office prior to the mass arrest operation this morning (12-30-08.)

Charged with the sale of a controlled substance:


*******UPDATED LIST*********


1. Dianna M. Barnes, 30, Ava, Missouri

2. Laura Bengston, Ava, Missouri

3. Austin C. Bogart, 19, Ava, Missouri

4. Charles M. Clark, 33, Ava, Missouri

5. James H. Cruse, 40, Mountain Grove, Missouri

6. Mathew P. Deever, 23, Ava, Missouri

7. Quisto W. Eutsler, 21, Squires, Missouri

8. Blane D. Fleetwood, 45, Ava, Missouri

9. Cory E. Goodman, 25, Ava, Missouri

10. David Henry, Ava, Missouri

11. Frank Johnson, Ava, Missouri

12. Kristopher K. Ingino, 22, Ava, Missouri

13. Debra K. James, 51, Ava, Missouri

14. Franklin C. Johnson, 21, Squires, Missouri

15. Jeffrey T. Joseph, 19, Ava, Missouri

16. Stephen D. Lansdown, 55, Ava, Missouri

17. Thomas M. Larimore, 43, Ava, Missouri

18. James S. Lewis, 31, Ava, Missouri

19. Shannon M. Ponder, 34, Ava, Missouri

20. Mike Shiebel, Ava, Missouri

21. Brian Smith, Ava, Missouri

22. Daniel C. Souder, 24, Ava, Missouri

23. Beth L. Stafford, 48, Ava, Missouri

24. Lenora Stevens, Ava, Missouri

25. Ronald K. Swearengin, 45, Ava, Missouri

26. Ciera Terry, Ava, Missouri

27. Jessica L. Williams, 23, Ava, Missouri

28. Michael L. Williams, 28, Ava, Missouri


**The investigation is ongoing, however, investigators believe the last three individuals they are looking for have left the area.

Additional agencies involved included the Douglas County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Douglas County Sheriff’s Department, Howell County Sheriff’s Department, Ava Police Department, and Region G SEMA.

Man Bound Over On Murder Charges In Barry County:

A man who was charged with killing his roommate last June in Monett will stand trial for the mans murder.

Attorney's for Francisco Hernandez waived their clients preliminary hearing yesterday (12-29) and he was bound over to Circuit Court.

Prosecutors say that 39 year-old Francisco Hernandez allegedly stabbed Rolando Hernandez at the apartment the two shared in June in a fight over money.

After the stabbing Francisco Hernandez told friends he was fleeing to Texas. Authorities tracked Hernandez through Texas and Arkansas before finally catching up with him in Oklahoma.

Hernandez will he will be formally arraigned on January 20, 2009.


https://www.courts.mo.gov/casenet/base/welcome.do
08BR-CR00636 - ST V FRANCISCO HERNANDEZ

08BR-CR00636-01 - ST V FRANCISCO HERNANDEZ

Branson Man Pleads Guilty To Possessing Kiddie Porn:

A Branson man who was charged in July with possessing and promoting child pornography has pleaded guilty.

Taney County prosecutor Jeff Merrell says that undercover agents with the Tri-Lakes Regional Internet Crimes Task Force tracked the computer of 47 year-old Bill Lawrence and found kiddie porn on it as well as peer to peer software.

Lawrence, who entered the plea without an agreement, can receive anywhere from five to fifteen years in prison when he is sentenced in February.

Cab Driver Threatened With Sword In Taney County:

Sheriff Jimmie Russell says that a cab driver called 911 a little bit after three this (12-30-08) morning to report that he had been threatened with a weapon.

The cabbie told cops that Ryan Kuhn told him he needed to go to an apartment complex on Waverly Road near Hollister; it was the same apartment that the driver had dropped a woman off earlier.

Once they arrived Kuhn allegedly told the driver that he needed to go inside to get some money, and instead returned waving a sword and dagger at him.

When Kuhn and his mother wouldn't come out of the apartment Sheriff Russell called the Sheriff's Response Team to go in and get the intoxicated man.

Kuhn has been charged with unlawful use of a weapon and remains in the Taney County jail on $20,000 bond.

New Name, Badges And Vehicle Logo's For Sheriff's Department:

Sheriff elect Jim Arnott has announced that the Greene County Sheriff's Department will now by known as the Greene County Sheriff's Office.

Arnott says he made the name change because, "I felt compelled to do this as it is truly the office of the sheriff that the citizens vote for."

In addition to the name change, 200 deputies will get some new hardware to carry. Arnott said, "several hundred badges have to be repaired a year and the company that re-plates the deputies badges at $38 a pop offered to replace all of them for $45 each with a three year warranty on them."

Arnott also unveiled a new mobile command post, a piece of equipment that is valued at over $200,000.00. The sheriff's office was able to purchase the vehicle thanks to a grant from the Missouri Department of Public Safety.

A federal grant has allowed the sheriff's office to put new logos on their vehicles. "The other logo just wasn't reflective enough," according to Arnott.

On the campaign trail Arnott made a pledge to restructure staff “without having to promote or demote.” He made good on that promise today announcing the elimination of the office he now holds, Chief Deputy, and the jail director title.

Arnott announced that he has appointed two deputies to the position of major; they are:

Phil Corcoran has been appointed to Major of Operations. Corcoran is a 15 year veteran of the Greene County Sheriff’s Department. He has served as aPatrol Deputy, Patrol Corporal, Detective, Detective Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain of Criminal Investigations.

Kevin Spaulding has been appointed to Major of Support. Spaulding began his career with the Greene County Sheriff's Department in 1987 as a patrolman, working his way up the ranks to patrol Sergeant and then detective. He left the GCSD in 1995 to take a position as Chief Deputy at the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

Spaulding returned to the Greene County Sheriff’s Department shortly after Sheriff Jack Merritt was elected as reserve patrolman.
################


Press Release

I will be holding a press conference at the Springfield Fire Station#6/Springfield Police South District Station on West Battlefield at 3:00 PM on Monday, December 29th 2008. If weather is good, we will be holding the conference in the driveway of the station on the east side. I would like to announce some changes that will be made at the Greene County Sheriff's Department in 2009. I will also be unveiling the Mobile Command Post, a piece of equipment that is valued at over $200,000.00, that was awarded to the department through a grant from the Missouri Department of Public Safety.

The name of the department has been changed to the Greene County Sheriff’s Office. I felt compelled to do this as it is truly the office of the sheriff that the citizens vote for. I will also be unveiling the badge that will be worn by all deputies in 2009, along with a change in logos on the cars.

As stated in my campaign, one of the first things that I wanted to accomplish was a restructuring of the staff, to give me the ability to move staff around to various divisions within the sheriff’s office, without having to promote or demote. This gives me the ability to place deputies in the areas that they serve best.

In my reorganization, I eliminated the Jail Director and the Chief Deputy positions. I formed two positions with the title of Major. They will oversee the Operations/Support areas of the Sheriff’s Office.

Phil Corcoran has been appointed to Major of Operations. Phil is a 15 year veteran of the Greene County Sheriff’s Department. He has served as a Patrol Deputy, Patrol Corporal, Detective, Detective Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain of Criminal Investigations. Captain Corcoran has attended numerous law enforcement training and is a graduate of the DEA Drug Unit Commander School in Quantico Virginia, these are among his many accomplishments.

Kevin Spaulding has been appointed to Major of Support. Kevin started his career with the Greene County Sheriff's Department in 1987 as a patrolman.Kevin was promoted to Patrol Sergeant then to Detective. In 1995, he took a position as Chief Deputy at the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Kevin left law enforcement and pursued small business ownership. He returned to the Greene County Sheriff’s Department shortly after Sheriff Merritt took office as reserve patrolman. In 2008 he returned to full time status in the Civil Division and was promoted to Sergeant of Administrative Services later this year.

Jim C. Arnott, Sheriff Elect

Fake Pipe Bomb Found On Vehicle Of Community Activist:

The former head of the Springfield chapter of the NAACP, Reverend Larry Maddox, called authorities this morning after he discovered something that he believed was a pipe bomb on his vehicle.

After a bomb-robot retrieved the device, and bomb investigators and firefighters got a closer look at it they discovered that it was a very realistic fake, according to Battalion Chief Kevin Smart.

Services were canceled for the morning at Maddox's church, New Growth Ministries, so that investigators could bring in a bomb sniffing dog to check the church and it's premises.

The fire marshal's office is investigating the incident. They say that they have several persons of interest that they want to talk to.

Southwest City Cop Charged With Felony Stealing:

A former cop with the Pineville police department is in trouble with the law for allegedly stealing a laptop computer during a traffic stop in 2007 while on duty for the department.

Andrew W. Cummings, 25, of Anderson, was charged with felony stealing on Tuesday (12-23-08) in McDonald County Circuit Court and has been released on $7,500 bond.

Cummings, (who is now employed as a law enforcer at the Southwest City Police Department and as a reserve officer for the Noel Police Department,) problems with the law stem from a traffic stop on July 4, 2007.

According to the probable cause statement, Anderson, was a Pineville police officer at that time, when he pulled over and arrested Teri Townsend on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.

It was during that traffic stop that Cummings allegedly removed a laptop computer from within Teri Townsend's vehicle and placed it in his squad car.

After Townsend's release she requested that her computer be returned to her. Cummings denied having it and did not return it.

According to legal paperwork filed with the court, on July 19, 2007, the woman reported the computer as stolen to the to Pineville police department. When Cummings was questioned about the missing laptop by Corporal Brad Bearden he allegedly, "denied having Townsend's property, or knowing it's whereabouts."

The Joplin Globe reports that Cummings was placed on leave from the department sometime soon after the complaint, pending an investigation of the incident.

On Monday, Cummings is alleged to have left a laptop with the Noel marshal’s office to have some software installed on it. Oswald Amos checked the computer’s serial number, and it matched to the stolen laptop reported as stolen by Townsend.

The Globe states that a spokesman for the Missouri Peace Officer Standards and Training Program in Jefferson City did say by phone that Cummings continues to hold a law-enforcement certification.

Former St. Johns Health Trainer Charged With Seventeen Felonies For Allegedly Taping Clients Naked:

A former health trainer at St. Johns Health Tracks Facility on South Fremont been charged with seventeen felony charges of invasion of privacy.

Scott Johnson, who has pled not guilty, was fired from St. Johns in October after he allegedly convinced four females, one of them currently 16, to weigh themselves naked, while he secretly video recorded them. He told the females involved that he needed them to undress in order for him to obtain a more accurate weight.

Johnson could face federal child pornography charges in the case because some of the victims are/or were minors when the alleged incidents took place.

Assistant Greene County Prosecutor Russ Dempsey says that he will dismiss any charge that his office has filed against Johnson that federal prosecutors pick up.

A search warrant served on the suspect says that the trainer told the women to weigh nude to obtain a more accurate weight, and that he allegedly moved the scales into a secluded room for privacy.

Cops also found two videotapes in a trash can at the man’s residence during the search. Detectives say that Johnson told them that they contained footage of three young women and the teenager.

Records also indicate that investigators believe the man was videotaping women and young girls at the Health Tracks facility on S.Fremont over a three year period.

On Tuesday, Greene County Associate Circuit Mark Powell, scheduled a hearing for Dec. 31 to hear arguments on a motion that Johnson's defense attorney, Robert Torp, filed to have Johnson's bond reduced.

The judge also reviewed a list of names of the victims to see if he knew any of the names of the victims involved in the alleged crime as his son also trains at the facility and he doesn't want a conflict to arise in the case.

If convicted, Johnson could be sentenced up to four years for each of the 17 charges.
-
UPDATE 10-20-11:

A former trainer at Healthtracks, a facility operated by St. John's, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for secretly taping naked underage girls at the facility.

Scott Johnson, 32, of Springfield was found guilty of eight counts of sexual exploitation of a minor last December.

In October 2008, a staff member at Healthtracks noticed a video camera on Johnson’s desk. The video tape loaded in the camera contained videos of two females, that were taped during a two year period between January of 2006 and December of 2007, disrobing and weighing themselves.

Johnson was immediately suspended and, eventually terminated from his employment at Healthtracks. Springfield police officers later found additional video cassettes, which Johnson had attempted to destroy, in his trash can at his residence.

Dena Riley Pleads Guilty To Marsha Spicer's Sex Slaying:

A woman from Kansas City pleaded guilty today for her part in the death of a woman whose sexual torture and suffocation she and her boyfriend videotaped.



Attorneys for Dena Riley (above), 42, reached a plea agreement with the state in the May 2006 death of Marsha Spicer (left), who was suffocated during sex at an Independence apartment that Riley shared with her boyfriend, Richard Davis.

Riley also pleaded guilty to several charges related to the death of 36 year-old Michelle Huff-Ricci's remains were found in nearby Clay County, where Riley and Davis, are charged with capital murder.

Riley was sentenced to life without parole on the murder charge. She received eight life sentences on the other charges.

Riley and Davis' (left) crimes came to light after the couple kidnapped a little girl who was related to Davis in Kansas. Riley pleaded guilty to the federal kidnapping charge today too. Court documents indicate that the 5 year-old had injuries consistent with sexual abuse.

Davis was convicted and sentenced to death earlier this year for Spicer's slaying.

Two Murder Suspects From Kentucky Apprehended In The Ozarks:

Homicide investigators from Louisville, Kentucky who put out a bulletin in connection with a death investigation last weekend will travel to the Ozarks to pick their man up.

On Friday December, 19th, firefighters responded to a house fire near Churchill Downs. When firefighters arrived on the scene, they were told that someone was inside.

Firefighters had the suspicious blaze out within seven minutes of arriving on scene, and believe it was arson. Inside the house, near the back of the first floor, first responders found the body of 64 year-old Larry Seigle; the coroner says Seigle was dead before the fire was started.

Thomas Mercurio (above), 25, who lived at Seigle's home was wanted for questioning in relation to Seigle's missing van, according Alicia Smiley, a spokesperson for the Louisville Metro Police.

On Saturday troopers with the Missouri Highway Patrol and officers with the Waynesville and St. Robert police departments along with deputies from the Pulaski County Sheriffs Office worked in conjunction to apprehend Mercurio and a woman after they both allegedly left the scene of an accident after crashing Seigle's van.

When a Highway patrol trooper arrived,the occupants of the wrecked vehicle, a 1994 Nissan Quest minivan, werenot present. A computer inquiry revealed that the vehicle was stolenfrom the state of Kentucky, and that the occupants may be suspects in a homicide, which had occurred in that state.

The manhunt for the Mercurio and his traveling companion, Amy Arden 21, lasted about four hours until cops got a tip that the couple was at the Greyhound bus station near in St. Robert.

Mercurio, was arrested for possession of a stolen motor vehicle, leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident, careless and imprudent driving, and driving without a valid driver’s license.

Amy E. Arden, was arrested for tampering with a motor vehicle.

Mercurio has been arrested close to fifty times on charges allegedly related to: sexual abuse; prostitution; assault; domestic disturbances and drug charges.

Today (December 22, 2008,) a grand jury, located in Jefferson County ofthe Common Wealth of Kentucky, indicted Mercurio and Arden for several felony offenses, including murder.

Earlier this year another man, Michael Durden, was arrested at Seigle's home for allegedly making meth in the house that the elderly man called home for the last 30 years.

############

FULL PRESS RELEASE:

On December 20, 2008, at approximately 5:10 p.m., a Missouri StateHighway Patrol trooper responded to a traffic crash on Interstate 44,near the 159-mile marker, in Pulaski County.

When the trooper arrived,the occupants of the wrecked vehicle, a 1994 Nissan Quest minivan, were not present. A computer inquiry revealed that the vehicle was stolen from the state of Kentucky, and that the occupants may be suspects in a homicide, which had occurred in that state.

An intensive search to locate the occupants was conducted by thePulaski County Sheriff’s Department, the Waynesville and St. Robert police departments, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

At approximately 9 p.m., information from a citizen led to the suspectsbeing located and apprehended, without incident, at the St. Robert bus depot.

Thomas Mercurio, 25, of Louisville, Kentucky, was arrested forpossession of a stolen motor vehicle, leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident, careless and imprudent driving, and driving withouta valid driver’s license.

Amy E. Arden, 21, also of Louisville, was arrested for tamperingwith a motor vehicle. Both were incarcerated in the Pulaski County Jail.

On December 22, 2008, a grand jury, located in Jefferson County ofthe Common Wealth of Kentucky, indicted Mercurio and Arden for several felony offenses, including murder.

Media inquiries related tothese indictments should be directed to the Louisville Metro PoliceDepartment.

The charges for which Mercurio and Arden have been arrested are mereaccusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

Trial Date Set For Stepfather Of Rowan Ford:

A man from Newton County charged with murder in the death of a little girl that captured the nations attention last November has had tentative trial date of July 2010 set.

David W. Spears (above) and his friend, Chris Collings, are both charged with capital murder for their alleged involvement in the 2007 murder of Spears stepdaughter Rowan Ford.
In November of last year Ford was kidnapped from her bed in Stella. After several days her body was found in a sinkhole in rural McDonald County on a hunch by a sheriffs deputy on his way to work.
In the probable cause statements filed against Spears and Collings, each of them claimed responsibility for Rowan Fords murder.

One of them said that the little girl was killed in Barry County inside of Collings trailer (below,) the other said that Ford was tied to a fence that held goats and killed .

Barry County Prosecutor Johnnie Cox filed a motion with the court on December 3rd asking that pubic hair be collected from Spears and Collings. The prosecution wants those hairs analyzed against one that was found on the little girls body at autopsy. The motion was granted.

Public defenders for Spears asked for a motion of their own....they want their experts to have a looksee at any and all DNA evidence that has the potential of being destroyed while being analyzed by the FBI. Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge Tracy Storie granted that motion as well.

Spears' trial was moved to Pulaski County on a change of venue.

On the same day the motion for hair evidence was asked for in the trial of Spears, prosecutors asked for the same evidence from Chris Collings (above) as well.

The pubic hair from Collings was to be collected at the Barry County jail on December 11th, where defense attorney's for the man will be present. No date yet on when the evidence will be collected from Spears.

Collings trial is scheduled to begin in Phelps County in January 2010 where it was moved on a change of venue.


https://www.courts.mo.gov/casenet/base/welcome.do
08PU-CR00681-01 - ST V DAVID WESLEY SPEARS

08PH-CR01205 - ST V CHRISTOPHER LEROY COLLINGS

Stone County Internet Chat Room Sting Nets Another Arrest:

A man from Columbia, MO, is the latest victim of some good detective work by the Stone County Sheriff's department.

Stacey L. Winkler, 38, made contact with a deputy posing as an underage girl in an internet chat room and then sent nude photos of himself to the deputy.

Winkler, has been charged with felony sexual misconduct or attempt involving a child under 15 years of age and is in the Stone County jail on $15,000 cash only bond. If convicted he could up to four years in prison.

Earlier this week Sheriff Richard Hill said that his department had made four arrests with a deputy posing as an underage girl in a chat room when they arrested Wesley Darin Combes of Oklahoma.

###########

News Release


Stone County Deputies traveled to Columbia, MO on Thursday to arrest a suspect that was making contact with an undercover deputy on an Internet chat room. The deputy posed as an underage female, and the suspect made contact with the deputy, and then sent the deputy nude photos of himself.

Arrested was Stacey L. Winkler, age 38, of Columbia, MO. He was arrested on a Stone County Warrant for Sexual Misconduct or Attempt involving a Child under 15 yrs of age, a Class D Felony. Winkler could receive up to 4 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections.

Stone County deputies are returning Winkler to the Stone County jail today. Bond has been set at $15,000 Cash Only.

Richard L. Hill
Sheriff, Stone County

UPDATED: Military Lays Out Case Against Spc. Jermaine Johnson In Myria Silva' Death:

UPDATE AT BOTTOM:

In evidence presented at Spc. Jermaine Johnson's Article 32 hearing today military prosecutors say that Johnson and Myria Silva had been having an affair for seven months.

Army Special Agent Joseph Gibbs says that Johnson told him that he and Silva had been partying at a popular club, Area 151, on October 10, 2008. After the couple left the club they headed to Johnson's apartment on the post where a sexual encounter took place.

It is alleged that while the couple were having sex Silva said someone else's name and, when she went to use the restroom Johnson intercepted a text message from another man that was sent to her phone asking when she was coming to see him.

Those two things enraged Johnson who threw Silva against a wall and began beating the 23 year-old woman with both fists.

Johnson told investigators that he told Silva that he would take her to a hospital to be treated for her wounds, but instead dumped her in a ditch along I-44.
After leaving Silva on the side of the highway, military investigators allege that Johnson went to an area Wal-Mart where he purchased rope, duct tape, a sleeping bag and lighter fluid.

He then went back to the spot that he had left Silva, and picked her up. After telling Silva that he loved her, he allegedly slit his lovers throat.......waiting and watching the blood drain from her body.

Gibbs told the military court that Johnson told him he placed Myria Silva's body in the sleeping bag he had just purchased, loaded it into Silva's Dodge Durango, and started driving aimlessly, looking for a place to dump her body; settling on an abandoned property in Webster County.

Investigators with the CID say that Johnson told them that after he dumped Myria's body in the vacant farmhouse near Niangua, he drove Silva's S-U-V to St. Robert, and left it at a motel, and took a cab back to the base.

Johnson, who sat expressionless in the courtroom today, went back to the motel to move Silva's vehicle again to a cul-de-sac before his shift the next day at General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital, where he worked as a health care specialist.

Knowing he would be late for his shift, he called his supervisor to say that his cab was stuck in traffic in Dixon.

Myria Silva's body was found October 14th on the property of an abandoned farmhouse in Niangua that has since burned to the ground.

Jermaine Johnson was arrested at Fort Leonard Wood on October 14th on seven charges related to Silva's death, they are: premeditated murder; adultery; kidnapping; intent to deceive or provide false statements; sodomy; assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm and obstructing justice.

Inside sources tell me that while Johnson was being processed at the Fort Knox Regional Confinement Center in Kentucky investigators found Silva's military issued identification in his wallet.

It was at Fort Knox that investigators let Johnson speak with his mother whom he allegedly told, "I did it, but don't know why." He allegedly told investigators that, "the hardest thing I ever had to do was tell my mother I killed another woman."

Myria's mother, Katie Duniphan, told me that, "as hard as it was to hear, I had to know what he did to my baby......she was my best friend."

Pfc. Benjamin (Benji) Silva was deployed to Iraq when his wife was murdered. He has since returned, however, he was not in the courtroom today. Duniphan says that she knows it would have been extremely hard for him to hear what happened to his wife.

Katie Duniphan says that since her only child was murdered the most precious things she has are her granddaughters, Paris and Millie. Duniphan says, "I hope Benji will let me see my grand-babies....I don't ever want them to forget about their mama."

Myria's father, Dave Middleton, who lives in Colorado near the Utah border, says he is extremely upset with how the military has handled his daughters death. He says, "when I called the coroner and the base to check on my daughter, they would only say that they thought they had someone by that name.....I only learned for sure that it was my daughter from the news."

Defense attorneys for Jermaine Johnson have questions about how some of the evidence presented by the trial council was collected, and about how statements were taken in the case.

An investigating officer, (which is the equivalent of a judge in a criminal setting,) will determine if there is enough evidence to proceed with the court martial, the military equivalent to a criminal trial. That decision could be handed down anywhere from a few days to two months.



***UPDATE (02-24-09):


The soldier accused of killing another soldiers wife last year has been referred for court martial.


Specialist Jermaine Johnson is accused of killing Myria Silva last October and dumping her body in an abandoned farmhouse near Niangua.



Johnson is scheduled to be arraigned next Thursday, March 5th, at 8 a.m. at Fort Wood were he will enter a plea.



Inside sources close to the case have indicated to me that Johnson is expected to plead guilty at a separate sentencing hearing to Silva's brutal murder in exchange for a sentence of life without the possibility of parole.

UPDATE (03-06-09) :

The formal arraignment of a soldier stationed at Fort Leonard accused of killing a fellow soldiers wife was over in a matter of minutes.

Tiffany Wood spokeswoman for the post says the hearing for Spc. Jermaine Johnson lasted about 10 minutes.

Spc. Jermaine Johnson is accused of killing Myria Silva last October after he became irate when another man texted the woman while they were having sex.

Prosecutors say that Johnson beat Myria up and told her he would take her to the hospital..... instead they say he took Silva on a rambling car ride, slit the young mother's throat and then dumped her body in an abandoned farmhouse near Niangua.

On the advice of his attorney's, Spc. Johnson deferred entering a plea.

What that means is that it gives Johnson and his attorney's a little longer to decide how they want to proceed to trial; and preserves any and all motions available to him under the military court.

If they decide they want a judge to hear the case, Colonel Charles Hayes will be the sitting judge. If they decide they want a group of Johnson's peers to hear the case then a jury of his peers will be assembled.

Johnson's trial is scheduled to begin on May 18th at the post.

*****Myria's father and step-mother have a memorial page set up for her. You can link to it here.

Obituary here.

Oklahoma Man Busted In Internet Chat Room Sting:

Authorities in Stone County busted a man from Oklahoma who was allegedly sending nude photos of himself to someone he thought was an underage girl.

Stone County Sheriff Richard Hill says that Wesley Darin Combes, 34, of Wyandotte, Oklahoma, was in an internet chat room when he sent naked pictures of himself via his web cam to an undercover officer.

Combes, who works as a truck driver, was arrested at his place of employment on a felony charge of Sexual Misconduct or Attempt involving a child under 15 yrs of age.

If convicted, Combes could receive a sentence from 1 year in the county jail, or 4 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections and/or a fine up to $5000.

He has bonded out of the Stone County jail on $15,000 bond.

#####
News Release:

In a continuing effort to curb internet crimes against the children of Stone County, Stone County Investigators arrested their forth individual yesterday that was making contact with an deputy posing as a underage female on the internet.

Arrested in Neosho, MO was Wesley Darin Combes, age 34, of Wyandotte, Ok. Combes was arrested at his place of employment, where he was working as a truck driver. He was arrested on a Stone County Warrant for Sexual Misconduct or Attempt involving a child under 15 yrs of age, a Class D Felony. If convicted, Combes could spend up to 1 year in the county jail, or 4 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections and/or a fine up to $5000.

This arrest came from an undercover chat room operation where a Stone County Deputy posed as an underage female and Combes sent nude pictures of himself to the deputy via his web cam.

Combes was arrested and booked into the Stone County Jail. Bond was set at $15,000. At the time of this release, Combes had bonded out of jail.

Richard L. Hill
Sheriff, Stone County

UPDATE: Stabbing Case That Police In Joplin Were Investigating As Possible Murder Ruled Suicide:

Detectives with the Joplin Police Department and the Tri-State Major Case Squad are investigating a murder that happened yesterday.

Cops were dispatched to 3014 S. Michigan Avenue, Joplin, MO, at 3:07 p.m., after the children of 49 year-old Kristy K. Hunt went to her home after not being able to reach their mother.

They found her gravely wounded on the floor of her home with multiple stab wounds and called 911.

Hunt died a short time later after being transported to St. John's in Joplin.

A knife was found near Hunt's body, but authorities say it will take DNA analysis to determine if it is indeed the murder weapon.

Friends say that Hunt, who worked at Community Bank and Trust as the mortgage department manager, had recently quit her job. Authorities don't believe that her lending position had anything to do with her death.

UPDATE 12-18-08: Preliminary results of the autopsy performed on Hunt in Columbia today have ruled that her wounds were self-inflicted and the case has been closed as a suicide.

My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends during this difficult time.

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Full Press Releases:
Stabbing Update


The female in the stabbing case died at St. John’s Hospital a short time ago. The name is not being released at this time to allow for notification of family members.

Further information will be available tomorrow December 17, 2008

Corporal Chuck Niess
Telephone Reporting Officer/ Assistant P.I.O.
Joplin Police Department


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First Degree Assault

Officers with the Joplin Police Department responded to 3014 S. Michigan Avenue, Joplin, MO at 3:07 P.M. December 16, 2008.

Caller reported a 49 year old female with possible stab wounds. The female was transported by ambulance to St. John’s Hospital for treatment. Her condition is unknown at this time.

The Investigations Bureau of the police department responded and has started an investigation. The investigation is in its early stages and further details are not available at this time.

Corporal Chuck Niess
Telephone Reporting Officer/ Assistant P.I.O.
Joplin Police Department

Gerald Carnahan Takes Stand In Jackie Johns Case:

After spending the last 15 months behind bars for the alleged murder of Jackie Johns, Gerald Carnahan took the stand to ask a judge in St. Louis to let him out on "a reasonable bond."

In motions heard on December 5th, Carnahan told the judge that he would surrender his passport (which has already been done,) agree to be placed on house arrest with a monitoring device, and be gainfully employed in the family business.

Carnahan's attorney, Dee Wampler (left), told me that the judge denied the motion saying, "that this is a serious case and that even though he had been in jail for 15 months....that is exactly where he will stay."

In other motions, Wampler asked the judge to have Greene County Prosecuting attorney Darrell Moore (below) disqualified from the case citing a conflict of interest.

Wampler's motion was based on the fact that an assistant prosecutor in Moore's office went to work at the office's of Wampler and Passanise. That attorney has since gone back to work for Moore's office, therefore Wampler cited the conflict. That motioned was denied as well.

Wampler also filed motions requesting that the state's DNA experts be depositioned by the defense team. He also wants access to the DNA evidence and wants an independent laboratory in Texas analyse the DNA that is now 23 years-old.

Wampler plans to file motions asking that the DNA evidence in the case be thrown out because it wasn't well preserved and was handled by multiple people.

Carnahan's trial is scheduled to begin on July 27, 2009; it has been moved to St. Louis County on a change of venue.

https://www.courts.mo.gov/casenet/base/welcome.do
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****Carnahan photo KY3

Property Where Myria Silva's Murdered Body Was Found Burns To The Ground:

The vacant farmhouse in Webster County where Myria Silva's body was found has burned, and it appears to be a case of arson. The house which was vacant for several years had no utilities hooked up and according to an investigator, "is suspicious."

Silva, the wife of a soldier stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, was found murdered in an outbuilding on the farmhouse's property near Niangua in mid-October.

Another soldier stationed at the post, Spc. Jermaine Johnson, has been charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, sodomy, adultery, intent to deceive or provide false statements, assault and obstructing justice in Myria Silva's death.

When it was determined that a soldier was allegedly involved in Silva's death, the Army's Criminal Investigation Division assumed jurisication of the crime scene in an agreement with authorities in Webster and Pulaski Counties.

Johnson is scheduled to appear in a Fort Leonard Wood courtroom on Thursday in an Article 32 hearing (the Army's equivalent to a preliminary hearing,) to determine if there is enough evidence for the state to proceed to trial. Johnson, was a health care specialist stationed at the post from Alabama.

Acording to sources, Johnson was to be dishonorably discharged by the Army, but instead they re-stationed him to Fort Wood. If Johnson is convicted of all the crimes he is charged with he could face the death penalty or life in prison without parole.

Johnson is being held with no bail at the Fort Knox Regional Confinement Facility in Kentucky.

****House Photo from The Marshfield Mail

Man Who Alegedly Killed Wife And Encased Her In Concrete Pleads Not Guilty:

A Laclede County man waived his formal arraignment and pleaded not guilty to killing his wife, whose body was found by hunters stuffed in a toolbox that was encased in concrete last month.

Horst Gunter Sabla, who is charged with first degree murder and armed criminal action is scheduled to appear in court for a pre-trial conference on Dec. 22. He is being held without bond at Laclede County Jail.

The probable cause statement alleges that Horst Sabla shot his wife, Sharon K. Sabla, 57, in the back of the head on or about August 9, 2008.

After several days it is alleged that Horst Sabla stuffed his wife's body in a plastic hinged toolbox and poured lime and concrete on the woman's remains.

After a couple of months, Horst Sabla dumped the plastic container off of AA and Kinfolk Road near Lebanon. Hunters discovered the chained plastic container on November 15th, the opening day of firearms deer season.

https://www.courts.mo.gov/casenet/base/welcome.do

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Reward Fund Set Up To Capture Robert And Ellen Sheldons Killer:

A reward fund has been set up by an anonymous donor to help catch and convict the killer/or killers in the double murder of an elderly couple in Jasper County.

In early October, after 70-year-old Bob Sheldon and his wife, 71-year-old Ellen, didn't show up for church one of their sons went to check on them. What he discovered was a gruesome crime scene; his parents and the family dog murdered.

The tri-state major case squad received dozens of calls and "persons of interest," but have yet to make any break in the case. Sheriff Archie Dunn told me "that they have received several leads in the case, but they are drying up."

The Sheldons owned and operated a gun shop The Old Cabin Shop on their property. If you would like to donate to the fund, you can do so at at any UMB Bank, or the local UMB bank at 300 Grant St., Carthage. Donations are also being accepted at, The Old Cabin Shop at 155 N. Black Powder Lane, which is open on weekends

If you know anything about the case you're asked to call the Jasper County Sheriff's Office tip line. That number is 417-781-TIPS (8477) and make sure you leave a detailed message so that detectives can follow up on your lead.
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Full News Release: A Sheldon Reward Fund has been set up at UMB Bank, 300 Grant St., Carthage, MO., on the north-east corner of the square. This fund has been set up by an anonymous source and will be rewarded to anyone with information which will lead to the arrest and conviction of the individual or individuals responsible for the deaths of Robert (Bob) and Ellen Sheldon. If you wish to donate money to the fund, you may go to UMB Bank during regular business hours, or go to the Old Cabin Shop located at 155 N. Black Powder Ln., Carthage, MO., which is open on the weekends.
If you have information regarding Bob and Ellen Sheldon’s deaths please call the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office TIPS line at 417-781-8477 or 417-781-TIPS and leave a message. This line is available for use by anyone with information on any case. If you have information regarding the Sheldon homicide and wish to receive reward money, you must leave your name and phone number for one of the detectives to return your call to verify all information; otherwise you can leave anonymous tips.
The Sheriff’s Office is still investigating the Sheldon double homicide and are still receiving leads and conducting interviews; however, we are still awaiting results from the crime lab on the evidence submitted. "If you have any information regarding this case, please call our TIPS line. We want to bring the suspect or suspects to justice and give some kind of closure to the family."
W. "Archie" Dunn
Jasper County Sheriff
417-358-8177

UPADTED: Lady Found In Concrete Box Identified---Stories In Chronological Order:

A woman found encased in 600 pounds of concrete in a plastic toolbox in Laclede County last month has been identified.

Prosecutors say 57 year-old Sharon Sabla was allegedly shot by her husband, Horst Gunter Sabla, 54, in the back of the head at Thompson's RV Park in Lebanon on Aug. 9, 2008.

Sheriff Richard Wrinkle says Horst Sabla stuffed the body in a black plastic toolbox and kept it in the garage of the family home. A few days later, Sabla told detectives he filled the box with lime and concrete.

Authorities won't say how long Sabla kept Sharon Sabla's body in the home before he eventually dumped the his wife's body about six miles from the couples home.

Hunters found the plastic hinged toolbox on opening day of firearms deer season on November 15th, 2008 and smelled a foul odor emitting from the container and called 911. Cops had to use bolt cutters to open the box which was locked to break it open.

A break in the case came last Friday when a friend of Sharon Sabla went to the Sheriff's department to say she hadn't seen or heard from her friend in some time. Armed with that information investigators obtained a DNA sample from Sharon Sabla's daughter and it came back positive.


Horst Sabla is charged with first degree murder and armed criminal action, he is being held on no bond. Sabla could also face charges of abandonment of a corpse. His initial arraignment is scheduled for 1:30 today.

UPDATE (12-11-08)

A Laclede County man waived his formal arraignment and pleaded not guilty to killing his wife, whose body was found by hunters stuffed in a toolbox that was encased in concrete last month.

Horst Gunter Sabla, who is charged with first degree murder and armed criminal action is scheduled to appear in court for a pre-trial conference on Dec. 22.

He is being held without bond at Laclede County Jail. The probable cause statement alleges that Horst Sabla shot his wife, Sharon K. Sabla, 57, in the back of the head on or about August 9, 2008.

After several days it is alleged that Horst Sabla stuffed his wife's body in a plastic hinged toolbox and poured lime and concrete on the woman's remains. After a couple of months, Horst Sabla dumped the plastic container off of AA and Kinfolk Road near Lebanon.

Hunters discovered the chained plastic container on November 15th, the opening day of firearms deer season.


UPDATE

Monday, January 5, 2009

Preliminary Hearing Scheduled For Man Accused Of Killing "The Lady In The Box":
A preliminary hearing date has been scheduled for the man accused of allegedly killing his wife and encasing her body in concrete.Hunters found the body of a woman covered in concrete in a black plastic toolbox on the opening day of firearms deer season in November.

For more than a month the woman was known as, "The lady in the box."
Laclede County authorities appealed to the public for help in identifying the woman.

Almost a month later investigators identified the woman as Sharon Sabla and charged her husband Horst Sabla with first degree murder and armed criminal action in her death.

The next step is the preliminary hearing where a judge will decide if there is enough evidence for the state to proceed to trial. It is scheduled to be held on January 28th, 2009.

UPDATE

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Man Who Allegedly Killed Wife And Encased Her Body In Conrete Will Stand Trial For Her Death:

A judge has ruled that there is enough evidence against a Laclede County man for him to stand trial for his wife's murder.

Hunters found a black tote type tool box on the opening day of firearm deer season last November. When they couldn't open the box, that was emitting a foul odor, they called 911.

Authorities had to use bolt cutters to remove some chains and to get the lock off of the box. What they found inside was pretty disturbing.....the body of a woman that had been encased in about six hundred pounds of concrete.

After nearly a month of not being able to identify the woman, Sheriff Richard Wrinkle appealed to the public for help in identifying the woman in the box.

Wrinkle said that a tip came in that led them to question 54 year-old Horst Sabla.

According to the probable cause statement filed with the charges against Horst Sabla, he admitted to investigators that he shot his wife, Sharon, in the head on August 9, 2008.

He then allegedly placed Sharon Sabla's body in a black tote type tool box, filled it with lime and then poured concrete on top of her.

He told authorities that he kept the the concrete filled toolbox that held his wife's remains for several months before dumping it down a hill on AA near Lebanon.

Horst Sabla is charged with first degree murder and armed criminal action in the case. He is scheduled to be arraigned in circuit court on February 23rd.

Laclede County prosecutor Angie Hemphill-Wright has not made public whether she will seek the death penalty in the case.

UPDATE:

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Change Of Venue Granted For Man Accused Of Toolbox Murder:

The trial of the man accused of killing his wife then placing her body in a toolbox full of concrete has been moved on a change of venue to Camden County.

Prosecutors say that Horst Gunter Sabla allegedly shot his wife Sharon in the bag of the head in August of 2008 then stuffed her body inside a black plastic box and kept it in the garage of the family home.

A few days later, Sabla told detectives he filled the box with lime and concrete. Authorities say Sabla kept his wife's body in the garage of the family home for several months before he eventually dumped it about six miles from the couples home.

Hunters found the plastic hinged toolbox on opening day of firearms deer season on November 15th, 2008 and smelled a foul odor emitting from the container and called 911.

A trial date for Horst Sabla, who is charged with first degree murder and armed criminal action, has not been scheduled.



https://www.courts.mo.gov/casenet/base/welcome.do

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