UPDATED: Former Nixa Firefighter Headed To Federal Prison For Possessing Kiddie Porn:

Michael "Keith" Benson (mug shot CCSO)

A former Nixa firefighter and substitute school bus driver who was facing state and federal charges for crimes against children will spend fifteen years in federal prison after pleading guilty to receiving kiddie porn over the Internet.

Christian County Prosecutor Ron Cleek filed child molestation, statutory sodomy and exploitation of a minor charges against Michael "Keith" Benson, 41, last year after authorities found evidence of child pornography on his computer.

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By pleading guilty to the federal charge, Benson admitted that he used a file-sharing program to download child pornography from the Internet on Jan. 22, 2009. Benson possessed more than 600 images of child pornography, including images of children under the age of 12, images of sadistic and masochistic conduct, and images of an underage girl with whom he had contact.

Christian County Prosecutor Ron Cleek

By pleading guilty to the federal charge, Benson admitted that he used a file-sharing program to download child pornography from the Internet on Jan. 22, 2009. Benson possessed more than 600 images of child pornography, including images of children under the age of 12, images of sadistic and masochistic conduct, and images of an underage girl with whom he had contact.

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In July of 2009, Benson was charged with child molestation after an eight year-old girl told her mother that Benson molested her at a birthday party in February 20, 2008.

Cops searched Benson’s car and found a camera with 30 images. The mother of another eight-year-old girl identified the girl pictured as her child. Investigators say the photographs were graphic and showed evidence of molestation.

The little girl told her mom that she viewed child porn on Benson's computer. Several other children made similar allegations against Benson. After being told that he was being investigated for child pornography, Benson surrendered his computer to his lawyer, Dee Wampler.

As part of the guilty plea in federal court, Benson also agreed to plead guilty to the charges in Christian County. Cleek says that Benson is scheduled to plead guilty on August 3rd. He will be sentenced to another 15 year sentence in Christian County that will be served concurrent (at the same time) to the federal sentence.
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UPDATE 11-23-10:

Benson was sentenced to fifteen years in federal prison without the possibility of parole.  That sentence will be served concurrently to the state sentence of fifteen years.

The court also ordered Benson to spend the rest of his life on supervised release following his release from prison.

Funeral Services Announced For Johnnie and Coleen Wilson:

Funeral services for Johnnie and Coleen Wilson, the couple who were murdered in their Laclede County home on Monday, will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 2, 2010, at the Klingner-Cope Family Funeral Home at 1635 N. Benton Ave. in Springfield.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday in the funeral home. Burial will be in Eastlawn Cemetery in Springfield.

A celebration of life service will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 2, 2010, at the Bennett Spring Church of God.

Online condolences may be made at http://www.klingnerfuneralhome.com/

Authorities In Arkansas Investigating Second Double Homicide In Two Days In The Ozarks:

William Curtis Krohn (mug shot BCSO)

An alleged fight over personal property and alcohol appears to be the motive behind the murders of two people near Omaha, Arkansas yesterday (07-28-10.)

Boone County Sheriff Danny Hickman says that deputies responded to reports of a shooting at 19001 Old Lowery Road about 5:50 p.m. and found 57 year -old Christine Ann Pryor and her husband 56 year-old William Eugene Pryor dead near the living room of the couples mobile home.

Two counts of capital murder and one count of aggravate burglary have been filed against a family member of the Pryor's, William Curtis Krohn, 55, who was living in another trailer on the property. Other family members live in a third trailer on the property.

Sheriff Danny Hickman says the Pryors hosted live music at "the farm" and says that deputies have been dispatched there numerous times for noise complaints.

Investigators seized numerous firearms from the property in an attempt to identify the murder weapon.

This was the second double homicide in two days in the Ozarks.

Johnnie and Coleen Wilson were found shot to death in their home near Bennett Springs State Park in Laclede County, MO, on Monday. A career criminal, Jesse Dean Driskill, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the elderly couples deaths.

Matthew Laurin Found Dead In Jail Cell:

The Springfield man who pleaded guilty two days ago to two counts of first-degree murder for the stabbing deaths of an elderly Carthage couple was found dead in his jail cell about 12:47 p.m. today.

Sheriff Archie Dunn says Matthew Laurin, 20, met with a counselor today and was asked if he was suicidal or planning to harm himself. Laurin told her, "No, I'm just angry," according to Dunn.

Before Laurin returned to his jail cell at 10:48 a.m. he dropped a letter/s in the mail. When jailers went to his cell to give him lunch they found him hanging from a bed sheet wrapped around an air conditioning grate. Dunn says he's not sure if the mail had been picked up or if investigators have the correspondence.

Dunn will hold a news conference at 6:00 p.m. to discuss Laurin's death. An autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow in Springfield.

Laurin, who was sentenced to two life sentences without the possibility of parole for the October 2008 murders of Robert and Ellen Sheldon, was due to be transferred to the Department of Corrections within a week.

Sheriff Dunn said he wasn't sure if Darren Winans, the alleged ringleader in the plan to kill the Sheldon's, knew of Laurin's death. "He's in prison for a probation violation right now, but you know how word travels. It wouldn't surprise me."

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Laurin's death leaves no witness, or victims, for the states case against Winans.

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Darren Winans (mug shot JCSO)

Winans capital murder trial was scheduled to begin in February of 2011, however, it has been canceled. A motion hearing is now set for August 23rd. It was at a motion hearing that Laurin pleaded guilty.

Several messages left for Jasper County Prosecutor Dean Dankelson have not been returned.

Man Wanted In Nephew's Overdose Death Turns Himself In:

A man who has been on the run for almost a week after being charged with involuntary manslaughter in the overdose death of his nephew has turned himself into authorities in Webster County.

Prosecutors say that Daniel Verl Cox, 26, gave Dwight Stewart, 18, a tablet of oxymorphone back on May 14th that caused his death.

Cox, who is being held on $60,000 bail, is next scheduled to appear in court on August 2nd according to online court records.

~UPDATED~Career Criminal Charged In Double Homicide Of Elderly Couple Near Bennett Springs State Park:

Jesse Dean Driskill (mug shot LCSO)


A thirty year-old man from Lebanon with a lengthy rap sheet has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of an elderly couple near Bennett Springs State Park.

Johnnie, 82, and Coleen Wilson's, 76, granddaughter's husband went to check on them at 30499 Marigold Lane and found them dead in their home that is tucked far back in the woods and out of sight of any nearby road.



Wilcox home (photo courtesy of KOLR-KSFX)

Their bodies were covered in blankets, gasoline poured on them and lit on fire in an attempt to destroy evidence. The fire quickly burned out, but the person who allegedly started it, Jesse Dean Driskill, stole the couples Chevy Trailblazer and fled the scene.

Driskill has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action and two counts of burglary.

According to the probable cause statement, the stolen vehicle was found engulfed in flames just over the county line in Dallas County. A "witness" told authorities that Driskill called and asked to be picked up not far from where the burning car was discovered. On the ride back, Driskill allegedly told the witness that the Wilson's had caught him attempting to steal property outside their home. He told the witness that he forced the couple back inside their home at gunpoint, raped Mrs. Wilson, then shot each of them in the head.

Authorities recovered bloody clothing inside a trash bag at a residence in Lebanon where Driskill had been staying. A woman living in the home identified it as belonging to Driskill.

Shortly after being taken into custody and read his rights, Driskill asked for an attorney.


Driskill was nearly taken into custody on a probation violation about midnight Sunday after he was spotted by a deputy near the state park. Driskill escaped into the woods and slipped away from deputies and a K-9 unit brought to the scene. The woman who was with him told deputies he was armed with a handgun.

The last place he was spotted is less than two miles from the Wilson's home. Sometime during that night, the couple, who were in the process of moving, were murdered.

On Sunday the couple celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary.

According to online court records Driskill has felony convictions in Laclede, Hickory and Dallas counties. His latest release from prison was just seven weeks ago.

Driskill should have been in prison when he allegedly killed the Wilson's. He has pleaded guilty to all of the cases filed against him according to case net.

• second-degree burglary in 1999--Driskill was placed on 5 years of probation, which was later revoked, and served the entire sentence in prison


• trespassing in 1999--$75 fine


• second-degree assault in 2002--again, he served the entire sentence in prison


• domestic assault in 2007--placed on 2 years of probation, which was later revoked. He served 1-year in county jail


• second-degree assault in 2008 5 years of probation and ordered to long-term drug treatment program


• tampering with physical evidence in a felony in 2008--sentenced to 2-years in prison


• two counts of second-degree burglary in 2009--sentenced to two 4-year prison sentences and again ordered into long-term drug treatment.

Driskill was tentatively set to be arraigned in Associate Circuit Court tomorrow, however, he has been hospitalized for injuries he sustained when he resisted arrest. He is being held on probation violation, therefore no bail will be set.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol, Dallas County Sheriff's Office and the state Fire Marshal's office assisted in the investigation.

UPDATE 07-28-10:

Driskill has pleaded not guilty to the murder charges. His public defender, Barbara Urick, has filed a brief Tuesday invoking her client’s right against self incrimination and his right to counsel.

His next scheduled court date is August 16th.

UPDATE~~Funeral Services Announced For Johnnie and Coleen Wilson:

Funeral services for Johnnie and Coleen Wilson, the couple who were murdered in their Laclede County home on Monday, will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 2, 2010, at the Klingner-Cope Family Funeral Home at 1635 N. Benton Ave. in Springfield.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday in the funeral home. Burial will be in Eastlawn Cemetery in Springfield.

A celebration of life service will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 2, 2010, at the Bennett Spring Church of God.

Online condolences may be made at www.klingnerfuneralhome.com

~BREAKING--DEVELOPING~Authorities In Laclede County Working Double Homicide:

Two people have been found dead in a home near Bennett Springs in Laclede County. Relatives report seeing the couple alive yesterday.

A source close to the investigation says the bodies were burned and the couple's stolen S-U-V was found burning in Dallas County about 9:30 p.m.Dallas County Sheriff Mike Rackley says, "We are working a vehicle fire--I can't confirm if it is the vehicle that is connected to the investigation in Laclede County. We've got it taped off, and are waiting for the Highway Patrol to come help us."

Laclede County Sheriff Richard Wrinkle, who is out of town on vacation, was unavailable for comment.

The Missouri Highway Patrol and the State Fire Marshal have been called in to assist in the investigation.

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UPDATE: Funeral Services Announced For Johnnie and Coleen Wilson:

Funeral services for Johnnie and Coleen Wilson, the couple who were murdered in their Laclede County home on Monday, will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 2, 2010, at the Klingner-Cope Family Funeral Home at 1635 N. Benton Ave. in Springfield.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday in the funeral home. Burial will be in Eastlawn Cemetery in Springfield.

A celebration of life service will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 2, 2010, at the Bennett Spring Church of God.

Online condolences may be made at www.klingnerfuneralhome.com

Springfield Man Pleads Guilty To Murdering Elderly Carthage Couple:

Matthew D. Laurin (mug shot JCSO)

A Springfield man has admitted that he took part in the October 2008 murders of an elderly Carthage couple.

Twenty year-old Matthew D. Laurin pleaded guilty today to the brutal stabbing deaths of Robert, 70, and Ellen Sheldon, 71, on October 11,2008. Robert Sheldon was stabbed 26 times, his wife six when they returned to their home just west of Carthage after attending a church function. The family dog was also killed in the attack.

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Robert and Ellen Sheldon (family photo)

It was a plea that will keep Laurin off of death row.

Detectives say robbery was the motive behind the Sheldon's murders. Authorities say that Darren Winans and Zachary S. Townsend had been to the Old Cabin Shop, a gun and archery store that the Sheldon's owned and operated on their property, in September of 2008 and that a gun was stolen from the shop during their visit.

A witness testified at Laurin and Winans preliminary hearing that in December of 2008, Winans told her and her daughter that he and Laurin went to Carthage to kill Robert and Ellen Sheldon and their dog because their drug dealer wanted guns in exchange for drugs. Teresa Adkins says that Winans told them, “him and Matt had gone to Joplin to kill two people and a dog for drug money . . . to rob the place.”

Jasper County Sheriff Archie Dunn says Winans allegedly convinced Laurin to accompany him "because the Sheldon's were easy targets."

Laurin and Winans, 22, of Jasper, were arrested in July of 2009 and charged with two counts of murder, two counts of armed criminal action and burglary. Both men pointed the finger at each other for the grisly murders of the elderly couple, however yesterday on the petition to change his plea Laurin changed his story.

His statement of facts reads: “Darren Winans and I wanted to buy some cocaine and marijuana. We needed money to do it so we planned to rob a gun shop that Darren knew about near Carthage, and steal some guns and sell them.“On Oct. 11, 2008, around 10 p.m., I drove Darren and myself to the property owned by Robert and Ellen Sheldon. Both Darren and I had bought masks and gloves to wear, and both of us brought knives in case we needed them.“The alarm system was on in the gun shop so we went to the house the Sheldons lived in. The door wasn’t locked so I just opened the door and went in. I asked Ellen Sheldon and Robert Sheldon for the keys to the gun shop, but neither would give them to me so I stabbed both of them until they died. Then Darren went upstairs and found a couple of guns and a safe and we took those and left.”

Bob Sheldon had been a reserve deputy with the Jasper County Sheriff's Office.

Laurin waived his right to a sentencing assessment report and was sentenced by Circuit Judge Gayle Crane to two life terms without the possibility of parole for the murder convictions, two 20-year terms for armed criminal action and 15 years for the burglary. Those sentences will run consecutive to each other (one after the other.)

The children of Bob and Ellen Sheldon approved the plea agreement.

Darrin Winans (mug shot JCSO)

The death penalty is still on the for Darren Winans as his case works it's way through the court system. There is no word on whether a plea deal is in the works in his case. As part of Laurin's plea deal with prosecutors, he will not have to testify against Winans.

Former Employee Of City of Nixa Sentenced To Two Years In Federal Prison In Scheme To Defraud City:

David W. Griggs (mug shot CCSO)

A former employee for the city of Nixa, will spend to two years and eight months in federal prison without parole for his part in a series of mail fraud and money laundering schemes that cost the city $756,000.

On Aug. 27, 2009, David W. Griggs, 45, of Willard, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud, theft from an organization receiving federal funds, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Griggs must forfeit $756,010 to the feds, pay $272,718 in restitution to the city and turn over a 1999 Dutchman travel trailer, which was bought with the stolen loot.

Griggs was employed by the city of Nixa as a utility worker in the city’s street department from Nov. 6, 2003, to Feb. 8, 2006. He was promoted to be the lead utility worker on Aug. 4, 2004.

Co-defendant Larry W. Covington, 50, of Ash Grove, pleaded guilty on June 1, 2010, to his role in the conspiracy to defraud the city of Nixa. Covington, who was superintendent of the street department, was employed by the city of Nixa from March 6, 2000, to February 24, 2009 when he was charged.

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Larry W. Covington (mug shot CCSO)

Griggs and Covington set up two bogus businesses – Airborne Specialist (sometimes referred to as Airborne Specialists) and Tri-State Supply – to bill the city of Nixa approximately $273,645 in goods and services for the street department that were never provided. During the course of the conspiracy, 122 fraudulent invoices were submitted to the city.

Covington admitted that he prepared purchase orders for street department supplies that were invoiced by the two fictitious businesses.

Griggs established separate post office boxes for the two businesses. When the city mailed checks payable to the businesses, they were deposited into business bank accounts and Covington and Griggs would split the proceeds.

Covington also admitted that he registered a third fictitious business with the Secretary of State's office, Ward & Spooner, and repeatedly billed the city of Nixa for goods and services that were never provided. Between Dec. 7, 2004, and Feb. 25, 2009, Covington submitted 150 fraudulent invoices totaling $482,365 to the city of Nixa.

Covington also admitted that he participated in a mail fraud conspiracy related to financial transactions involving the proceeds of the mail fraud.

Covington’s wife, Paula K. Covington, 53, of Ash Grove, pleaded guilty to money laundering in May. She bought American Kennel Club-registered Labrador retrievers and a four-hole, homemade dog trailer with her proceeds of the stolen money. When her husband was arrested on state charges on February 24, 2009, she contacted the owner of Lone Oak Retrievers and directed him to immediately sell three of the dogs.
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Paula Covington

On March 3, 2009, the owner of Lone Oak Retrievers sold three of the dogs. Paula Covington had him deposit $10,881 in another person’s account at Liberty Bank. On March 6, 2009, $10,640 was withdrawn from the Liberty Bank account and was used to purchase two cashier’s checks totaling $10,636. Both of the cashier’s checks were made payable to Advanced Bail Bonds of Ozark, Mo., for the purpose of posting bond for Larry Covington.

Paula Covington admitted that the money from the sale of the dogs represented the proceeds of mail fraud. She also admitted that the financial transactions involved – including the wire transfer of funds into Liberty Bank and the withdrawal of the funds in order to purchase the cashier’s checks to pay the bonding company – was designed to disguise the fact that the money from the fraud scheme was used to post her husbands bond.

Paula Covington will serve one year and one day in prison for her role in the crime.

Christian County Prosecutor Ron Cleek

Christian County Prosecutor Ron Cleek dropped state charges against Griggs, and the Covington's when federal prosecutors charged the trio.

No sentencing date has been set for Larry Covington, according to Don Ledford, spokesman for Western District of Missouri Attorney Beth Phillips.

Should He Stay Or Should He Go? Voters In Berryville Will Make Decision For Mayor After Multiple DWI Convictions:

Mayor Tim McKinney (mug shot WCSO)

Another mayor in the Ozarks wants voters to decide if he should retain his office or be replaced after spending time behind bars for driving while intoxicated.

Tim McKinney has been the mayor of Berryville, Arkansas, for the past twenty years and says he is a recovered addict who wants voters to give him a second chance.

Last year McKinney spent 53 days in jail after pleading guilty to two unrelated DWI cases and pot possession. He served out his jail term for the Carroll County conviction in Washington County after agreeing to privately pay for his room and board.

The Berryville city council did not ask McKinney to step down from office after his convictions, now voters will decide if McKinney serves another term.

In February of this year the mayor of Nixa, MO, Brian Hayes was impeached after he pleaded guilty to driving drunk in June of 2009. Hayes ran for re-election in April of this year but was defeated by builder Sam Clifton.

Newton County Authorities Searching For Man Who Crawled Through Patrol Car Window:

Mitchell E. Brown Jr. (mug shot NCSO)

Authorities in Newton County need your help in locating a man who escaped from a locked patrol car Wednesday night (07-21-10.)

Chief Deputy Chris Jennings says officers were called to a domestic disturbance call at 317 Oneida St. in Seneca and arrested Mitchell Ellery Brown, Jr., 23. Jennings said the 20 year-old victim, J. B., told them that Brown hit and choked her. Jennings said Brown also destroyed the inside of the residence during the alleged altercation.

Jennings says that as the deputy was taking a statement from the victim, Brown crawled through the window of the patrol car and ran off.

In August of 2009 Brown pleaded guilty to domestic assault and was placed on two years probation. In January of 2010, he was charged with domestic for an alleged assault in December.

If you can help police locate Brown you're asked to call the Newton County sheriff's office at 417-451-8300 or 9-1-1.

Delayed Justice?? Public Defenders Office Will Not Accept New Cases Until At Least August 1st:

It's been no secret that public defenders offices in the state were nearing caseload capacity. Last year Greene County Prosecutor Darrell Moore and the Springfield Bar Association announced that private attorney's would take on some pro bono work in an effort to ease the PD's caseload.

However, today the Springfield Public Defenders office announced it will not take any new cases due to case overload until at least August 1st, but even that date is questionable.

Cat Kelly, deputy director of the Missouri Public Defender's office says, "Absent a drastic reduction in the numbers of defendants needing defender services, this pattern will continue each month thereafter --with the office able to accept new cases only for the first two to three weeks of each month before reaching its maximum and closing its doors to those clients whose cases arrive at the public defender’s office thereafter."

The twenty-lawyer office serves Greene, Christian, and Taney counties. The closing rule applies if an office exceeds maximum caseload standards for three consecutive months.

According to Kelly, "For well over a year, the Greene County courts have been taking informal steps to try to divert cases from the Public Defender in the hopes of avoiding this step. Their efforts slowed the numbers of cases coming in the door of the Springfield Defender Office but not enough. As of the end of June, the office was still being assigned cases requiring close to 34% more attorney hours to handle than the office has available to provide."

Christian County Prosecutor Ron Cleek

Christian County Prosecutor Ron Cleek, who is running for re-elections says, "There are three public defender's that deal with about 50% of the case load in my county. I have the same number of attorney's that deal with 100% of the case load, victims and paperwork too. The public defender's office just got $2 million dollars to help them with their caseloads, but they still say they're overworked and underpaid."

Taney County Prosecutor Jeff Merrell says he believes that the Public Defenders office handles less than half of the case that are filed in his county. "It's disappointing. I knew this day was coming...but it's disappointing nonetheless."

Taney County Prosecutor Jeff Merrell

In December of last year, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that, under the current statutory scheme, Missouri’s Public Defenders could not manage their case load by taking on new felony cases over misdemeanor offenses.

This is the first time an office of a Missouri Public Defender has not accepted new cases since that ruling.

Kelly says that each individual judge will have to decide if they are going to hold cases that are filed after the closing date for the public defenders office. " If they want to create a waiting list, they can do that, but the court will have to make that decision and it will probably mean that we will close to new cases earlier in the month. We won't be surprised if this ends up in front of the Supreme Court again."

According to Kelly, "The Springfield Defender Office is the first to close its doors to new cases, but it will likely have company from other defender offices soon enough. As of today’s date, J. Marty Robinson, the Director of Missouri’s Public Defender System has given notice to another twenty Judicial Circuits that the defender offices serving their courts are also exceeding maximum caseload limits and are facing similar certification and closure if informal efforts to divert caseload in those areas do not prove more successful than they did in Greene County."

Uncle Charged With Providing Drugs That Caused Teen's Death:

Daniel Verl Cox (mug shot WCSO)

Charges have been filed against the uncle of a Marshfield teen who died after he allegedly provided pain pills to 18 year-old Dwight Adam Stewart last May.

Webster County Prosecutor Danette Padgett filed involuntary manslaughter and distribution of a controlled substance charges against Daniel Verl Cox, 26, of Marshfield late this afternoon (07-21-10.)

Cox was originally arrested on probable cause within a few days of Stewart's death, but was released within 24 hours because Padgett was waiting on investigative reports before filing formal charges.

In the probable cause statement, Cox told Detective Rick Hamilton that he and Stewart got two pills from a man they picked up and had given a ride to near Marshfield. He said the pills looked like Ibuprofen.
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Dwight Adam Stewart (family photo)

Three days after Stewart's death, Cox told investigators that the pills were oxymorphine, “Daniel said he, himself bit into one pill and spit it out. Daniel said he felt effects from it by just biting into it,” Hamilton wrote.

The statement goes on to say that Stewart and Cox went to the home of some friends, who are brothers, to "smoke weed." Jared and Jayson Vancolkenburg told Deputy Lee that Cox had provided drugs and alcohol to Stewart in the past...one of them told the deputy they believe Cox "is responsible for Stewart’s death."

Jayson Vancolkenburg told investigators that Stewart was pale that night. He said Stewart could not stay awake and went outside to "throw up." He said that Stewart later vomited in the bathroom.

According to Cox, he and Stewart then went to his home on Greer Creek Road north of Marshfield and played video games until about 2:00 a.m. When Debbie Cox tried to wake her grandson up about noon he was unresponsive and she called 9-1-1. She told Deputy Lee her son left the house before authorities arrived.

Autopsy results show that Stewart was probably dead for about 12 hours before his aunt attempted to wake him up. The cause of Stewart's death was a combination of him choking on his own vomit and lack of oxygen to the brain acerbated by alcohol.

When Cox was re-interviewed by Hamilton on June 20th, Cox admitted giving, Stewart, as well as other people, drugs in the past, but that “he didn’t realize how serious this is until something bad like this happens,” and that he didn't think that the pill he gave Stewart would kill him.

Stewart's death has hit family and friends hard. Just two years ago his father was killed in an alcohol related crash. Dwight would have graduated from high school this summer after completing some summer courses.

Padgett says people need to realize that providing drugs to someone "Can drastically change their life. If you have a neighbor who has a back ache after working outside all day and you give them hydrocodone and they die, you'll be prosecuted. The involuntary manslaughter charges actually carries less time on it than the distribution charge. It's kind of backwards in my opinion."

Murder Suspect In Greene County Jail After Waiving Extradition:

Jefferey Todd Wooderson (mug shto GCSO)

A Springfield man charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action for the death of his roommate last March is now in the Greene County jail after pleading guilty to several charges in Boone County, Arkansas and waiving extradition back here.

Jefferey Todd Wooderson, 42, was arrested last March near Harrison after a high speed chase that began in Taney County and crossed state lines. He was driving the stolen sport utility vehicle of the murder victim, Gary Lee Russell.

Wooderson is accused of allegedly bludgeoning the 57 year-old man to death while he slept at their home in the 1700 block of East Florida Street. Family members of Russell went to the men's home on March 21, 2010, after not hearing from him for several days and found him dead. Authorities believe Russell had been dead several days before his body was found.

Wooderson was charged in Arkansas with aggravated assault, theft and driving while intoxicated and felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to a total of 14 years on all the charges.

Wooderson', who has pleaded not guilty, preliminary hearing is schedueld for August 31st.

UPDATED~~~Republic Firefighter Charged With Stealing From Garden Center:

A firefighter in Republic has been charged with burglary and theft after allegedly stealing $2,000 worth of trees and shrubs from a Nixa garden center.

According to the probable cause statement, Brian W. Copeland, 30, Republic, allegedly stole several trees and shrubs July 18th from Garden Adventures Nursery in Nixa after he was dissatisfied with the way the business handled a recent transaction and wanted "revenge."

Copeland allegedly told the management of the garden center that he was buying the shrubs and trees on behalf of City of Republic. When owner James Whiting called the city to get their tax ID number he was told that Copeland was not a representative of the city, and not authorized to make purchases on their behalf.

When Whiting arrived at his business early Sunday morning he noticed tire tracks that went around his security gate and several items missing.

Whiting told authorities he received a tip from one of his clients, who owns a lawn care business, early the same day who said he thought the stolen plants had been planted in a yard at 1708 E. Miller Road in Republic.

Whiting said he drove by the house and believed the trees and shrubs that were freshly planted, some still with price tags from his business attached to them, were the ones stolen from his business and called police.

Christian County Prosecutor Ron Cleek says law enforcers tracked Copeland today (07-20-10) at the Republic Fire Department, where he was mirandized and willingly spoke to authorities.

Cleek says that Copeland told Detective Brad Cole that someone else named "Jamie" was using his truck at the time of the theft before allegedly admitting that he lied.

The city administrator for the City of Republic, Jim Krischke says, "Copeland is on leave pending the outcome of our internal investigation."

Copeland is expected him to be booked into the Christian County Jail tonight and held on $7,500 bond.

UPDATE: A warrant has been issued for Copeland's arrest, who has hired an attorney and will turn himself into the court sometime in the morning according to Republic police Detective John Davis.

When asked why Copeland wasn't arrested after he admitted to the theft, Detective Cole said, "We were busy investigating other crimes too. If it had been a crime against a person I guess we would have. "

Late this afternoon (07-21-10) Cleek said that Copeland, and his attorney Nancy Price, appeared before Associate Circuit Court Judge John Waters. Waters arraigned Copeland and released him on his own recognizance. He was not booked or fingerprinted.

Man Allegedly Kidnapps Children From Domestic Violence Shelter In Ozark:

Scott Pikey (mug shot CCSO)

A man from Jackson, MO has been charged with ftwo counts of felony child abduction after he allegedly kidnapped his children from a domestic violence shelter in Ozark on July 10th.

Christian County Prosecutor Ron Cleek says Scott Pikey, 39, also violated a protection order when he tracked his ex-wife to the Freedom's Rest domestic violence shelter by using the GPS-enabled sensor in her car.

Christian County Prosecutor Ron Cleek

Authorities say Pikey waited for a client to drive their car through drive the shelter's gate, which is accessed by a key code, and followed it onto the property.

According to the probable cause statement, Pikey's estranged wife was in the shower when she heard her two children yell "daddy." By the time she got out of the shower Pikey and the children were exiting the property. The woman called authorities with the license plate number and description of the car.

Scott Pikey was pulled over and on Highway 65 in Ozark within minutes of the alleged abduction.

Pikey, who has pleaded not guilty, is being held in the Christian County jail on $25,000 cash only bond.

Compostie Photo Of Alleged Suspect Released In Fall Creek Inn Robbery:

Authorities in Branson are looking for two men who allegedly robbed the Fall Creek Inn on July 16th, and have released a composite photo of one of the suspects.

Around 5:20 a.m. the clerk working told police that two men entered the motel on Highway 165, showed a gun and demanded money. After receiving an undisclosed amount of cash, the men fled in an unknown direction of travel. The motel had no surveillance cameras at the time of the robbery.

The first suspect, for which the composite was made, is described as a white male, 25 or 26 years of age, about 5-feet 8-inches tall, 150 pounds with short blond hair, last seen wearing a white tee shirt and jeans.

The other suspect is described as a white male in his early '20s, 5-feet 6-inches tall, 140 pounds with dark hair and a tan complexion, last seen wearing a dark shirt and dark pants.

Police Chief Caroll McCullogh says the investigation is ongoing, and asks anyone with information about the armed robbery to contact the Branson Police Department at 417-334-3300, 9-1-1 or the department's anonymous CATCH line at 334-1085.

Olson Sentenced To 19 Years In Prison For Assaulting Police Officer In Taney County:

Peter Rollin Olson (mug shot SCSO)

A man from Galena has learned his fate for assaulting a police officer in Taney County last summer.

Peter Rollin Olson, 37, was sentenced to five years for felony assault on a law enforcement officer, five years for felony stealing, five years for unlawful use of a weapon, and four years for felony property damage.

Olson was arrested and detained inside a Stone County Sheriff’s vehicle during an investigation into burglaries at Lost Tree Apartments on July 15th, 2009. Olson was able to get behind the wheel of the patrol car and drove off, hit another police vehicle and nearly ran over a law enforcement officer in the process. The chase at times neared 100 m.p.h. and ended when spike strips were deployed at Highway 65 just south of Ozark.

Deputies used a taser to subdue Olson, who is a convicted felon, because a weapon was present inside the Stone County Sheriff’s vehicle.

Keck Pleads Guilty To Murder For Hire Of Parents:

Donald Keck (mug shot CCSO)

A man from Highlandville could be sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to murder his parents last year.

Christian County Prosecutor Ron Cleek says his office reached a plea agreement with Donald Keck, 26, in the murder for hire case in which the defendant's parents had heavy input.

Christian County Prosecutor Ron Cleek

According to the probable cause statement filed with the charges, Keck told undercover officers he would pay them $50,000 within a week of collecting on his parents life insurance policies. Keck drew the "hit men" a map of the house and said “he wanted them to kill his parents and burn the house down so the fire department would come and find the bodies.”

Keck wanted the murders committed on Oct. 7, 2009, and told the bogus hit men they could steal a flat-screen television and tools from a van parked in the driveway to make it appear that robbery was the motive that led to his parents deaths.

Cleek says Keck’s claims were lies because there were no insurance policies.

It is likely that Keck will be sentenced to 120 days shock time and given credit for time served when he is sentenced on September 17th.

Simmons Fighting Extradition Back To Texas To Face Capital Murder Charges; DA Applies For Governors Warrant:

Weapons charges in Taney County have been dropped against a capital murder suspect from Texas who kept authorities at bay in a day long stand-off with authorities in Branson last month.

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Taney County Prosecutor Jeff Merrell dropped those charges against Mark David Simmons, 51, in an effort to get Simmons extradited back to Texas so he can be arraigned on capital murder charges for the April 17, 2009, death of his business partner Steven Wayne Woelfel.

But Simmons is fighting extradition back to the Lone Star State.

Simmons landed on law enforcers radar after a pair of motel robberies in Branson the weekend of June 26, 2009. A police officer conducting routine license plate checks at area hotels looking for the car believed used in the motel robberies located a car similar to one used in the robberies at the Walnut Lane Motel and Spinning Wheel Motel. When he ran the plate he learned the car was stolen and was probably being operated by Simmons. The Hyundai Sonata had been reported stolen from Rockport, TX, by Simmons mother. "

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Simmons taken into custody by Branson Police Chief Carroll McCollough following daylong stand-off. (courtesy Hometown Radio)

According to the Hays Free Press, authorities in Buda, Texas, found the decomposing body of 55 year-old Woelfel, who had been shot at least five times, in a detached garage that had been set on fire. Sources say that Simmon's lived with Woelfel's decaying body for a week then moved it to the garage and set it on fire in an attempt to cover-up the crime.

About five minutes after fire crews arrived at the scene of the arson fire, an explosion from inside the house blew out the windows and back and front walls of the residence. Investigators say Simmons allegedly rigged the explosion by a leaving a lit candle near a disconnected gas line to the stove in an effort to injure firefighters.

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Firefighters at scene of arson fire of Steven Woefel's home (courtesy Hays Free Press)

Simmons' mother, Wanda Simmons, says her son is a paranoid schizophrenic who she believes had not been taking his medication. She told investigators that her son was employed as a ceramic tile worker. Woelfel, owned Precision Tile, a business he operated out of his home.

The Criminal District Attorney for Hays County, Texas, Sherri Tibbe says, "We are putting the final touches on a request for a governors warrant to extradite Simmons back here to face charges. That will be filed in Texas by the end of the business day today. We really don't know how long it will take to get him back here....we're at the mercy of the court, and hoping it will move as quickly as possible."

The Attorney Generals office and the Department of Corrections will become involved in the extradition process according to Scott Holste, spokesman for Governor Jay Nixon's office. "Once all the criteria for extradition is met, our office here will work to make sure this is processed as quickly as possible."

Merrell says, "Once the case against Simmons gets rolling in Texas I may decide to refile charges against him."

Shot Fired At Stone County Deputies, Standoff Ends Peacefully; Standoff Has Connections To Dulin Murder:

John Curtis Mills (mug shot SCSO)

An alleged verbal and physical fight between a man and a woman in Stone County Sunday night led to a five-and-a-half hour stand-off between the man and sheriff's deputies at 114 James Mills Place. That is just east of Hurley

Sheriff Richard Hill says when deputies responded to the domestic assault call, John Curtis Mills, 31, who had been drinking, allegedly fired a shot toward deputies then barricaded himself in the house.

Stone County Sheriff Richard Hill

During negotiations, deputies could see Mills inside the residence holding different firearms as he talked on the phone. At one point, Mills surrendered one of the firearms for a cigarette. He told negotiators that he would shoot anyone who tried to enter the house.

Hill says negotiations with Mills, "Ran from him threatening suicide to him wanting my word that he wouldn't be shot when he came out of the house. He also wanted assurance he was not immediately going to jail."

Power was cut to the property and at about 8:30 p.m., Mills came out of the house peacefully.

Hill says he was taken to a Springfield hospital for a mental evaluation.

Stone County Prosecutor Matt Selby has filed three counts of unlawful use of a weapon, one count of exhibiting a weapon in a threatening manner and two counts of felon in possession of a firearm charges against Mills.

Selby says that Mills and the woman could also be facing domestic violence charges.

Stone County Prosecutor Matt Selby

In a totally unrelated case, Mills is mentioned in the Supreme Court of Missouri's reversal of the murder conviction of Zackary Stewart. Stewart was an 18 year-old high school senior when he was charged with first-degree murder for the November 2006 death of David Dulin of Hurley.

Stewart was convicted by a jury in Greene County, where the case was moved on a change of venue, in March of 2008 and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.

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Zackary Lee Stewart (mug shot GCSO)

Evidence revealed at trial questioning the prosecutions evidence and DNA swayed the high court's decision.

Below is an excerpt from the ruling:

When asked if Tim had said anything to him about a homicide, Bales, Tim's nephew, responded, “He just told me that he and [John] Mills were at the house where it happened, and that's pretty much it, that they saw it. He didn't mention any other names or anything like that.” Bales testified that Tim did not tell him anything else and he never talked to Tim about the homicide again.

Stewart was transferred back to the Greene County jail to await his new trial date which is scheduled for February 14, 2011. On August 2, Selby, and Stewart's new attorney Stacie Bilyeu, will appear in court in Neosho to argue bond reduction for Stewart as he awaits the new trial. Bileyeu has also filed a motion to dismiss the charges against Stewart.

Selby says, "I am not going to dismiss the charge. A jury found Stewart guilty and I feel confident another jury will do the same."

Electronic court records show Mills was charged with domestic assault last month. He pleaded guilty to domestic assault in April of 2009 and was serving three years probation at the time of the latest incident.

Mills is being held in the Stone County jail on $100,000 cash only bond.

Jeff City Man Sentenced To 7 Years In Internet Sting:

A man from Jefferson City has been sentenced to seven years in prison for enticement of a child in Taney County.

Paul K. Light, 46, engaged in sexually explicit chats and sent video of his penis and other pornographic movies to a detective posing as a minor with the Tri-Lakes Regional Internet Crimes Task Force from June 16 to July 27, 2009.

Light is currently serving a five year prison sentence for enticement of a child and attempted enticement of a child for similar incidents between July 21 - 29 of 2009 in St. Charles County.

Accidental Shooting In Stone County Leads To Discovery Of Altered Explosives:

The Stone County sheriff's department is investigating an accidental shooting on Saturday July 17th at a home on State Highway AA.

First responders found a 50-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the jaw at 74437 State Highway AA. The man was transported to a Springfield hospital where it was determined that the bullet had lodged near his left ear.

While on the scene, deputies found what appeared to be a homemade suppressor for various rifles and handguns. After a search warrant was granted, deputies found items allegedly used to make explosive devices, three rifles, one handgun and suspected drug paraphernalia.

The ATF took possession of two commercial fireworks mortars, that appeared to have been altered, along with some detonation cord.


The investigation into the weapons and explosives is ongoing.

Joplin Man Sentenced To Five Years For Stabbing Fiancee With Sword:

Timohty L. Bennett (mug shot JCSO)

A man from Joplin has been sentenced to five years in prison for stabbing his fiancee in the neck with a sword in 2007.

Timothy L. Bennett, 49, stabbed Kimberly D. Gilbert, 38, in the middle of the neck during a fight at the couples Joplin apartment on Nov. 22, 2007. Gilbert told authorities that as Bennett stabbed her, he told her he was going to kill her.

Bennett was originally charged with first-degree domestic assault, but entered into a plea agreement with prosecutors. As part of the plea agreement, Jasper County Prosecutor Dean Dankleson amended the charge to second-degree assault and asked that Bennett not be sentenced to more than seven years.

Boy Kidnapped From Lake Ozark Found In New Mexico:

A four year-old boy abducted by gunpoint from his fathers home by his mother and her boyfriend has been found in New Mexico.

Authorities asked for the publics help Saturday after Devon Denman was taken by gunpoint from his father, Paul's, home near Lake Ozark about 1:15 a.m. after they were held hostage by the boys mother, Elizabeth Denman , 41, and her boyfriend, Mark Cochran, 40, who is a registered sex offender.

Mark A. Cochran (MOSHP sex offender registry)

Last week the little boys father was awarded custody of his children.

A police officer near Gallup stopped a car for a broken headlight just before midnight Sunday. When he ran the plate he discovered that the vehicle was reported stolen in Missouri. When the officer ordered Denman and Cochran to step out of the vehicle they sped off.

Stop sticks and stop belts were thrown across Interstate 40 to flatten the vehicles tires, after officers were shot at. At times the chase exceeded 100 m.p.h.

When the car became disabled Denman and Cochran bolted from the car. Authorities found Devon in the backseat.

Police are using a helicopter and dogs to try and apprehend the pair.

Devon was the second child kidnapped in Missouri in a week by a registered sex offender.

Four year-old Alisa Meier was snatched from her front yard in Fenton by registered sex offender Paul Smith. She was found near a car wash the day after Smith kidnapped her. As police closed in to arrest Smith, he shot himself in the head.

Two More People Facing Charges Connected To Blaze That Destroyed Proecutors Home:

David Allen Southerland mug shot BCSO

Two more people are facing charges connected to the February 2009 arson fire that destroyed the home of Ozark County Prosecuting Attorney Tom Cline.

Baxter County, Arkansas, Sheriff John Montgomery says David Allen Southerland, 46, and Sherri Ladawn Hogue, 30, have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the torching of Cline's home.

Sherri Ladawn Hogue mug shot BCSO

On February 20, 2009, Cline and his family were at a restaurant celebrating his granddaughter's third birthday when they got a phone call that their home near Pontiac was on fire.

An Ozark County deputy followed an alleged trail of flammable liquid from the backyard to the porch and called investigators with the Missouri State Fire Marshal's Office to help with the investigation.

Cline home arson (courtesy Ozark County Times)

Tom and Mary Cline lost nearly everything in the blaze, but were able to save some of Cline's fathers military medals from World War II.

On June 5 , 2010, Tina Louise Amaral, 28, and Stephen Lawrence Shaw, 25, both of Mountain Home, were indicted by a grand jury for their alleged involvement in the arson. Shaw is currently incarcerated on an unrelated matter.

Tina Amaral mug shot OCSO

Shaw pleaded guilty to passing bad checks in Ozark County 3 times in 2009. He is still awaiting trial for burglary and theft there for alleged incidents in 2008 and 2009. It is not known at this time if revenge against Cline for filing charges against him is what led to the fire.

Stephen L. Shaw mug shot DOC

Hogue has waved extradition and was picked up by Ozark County authorities Saturday afternoon. Southerland is being held without bond and is awaiting extradition back to Missouri.