~UPDATED~Republic Foster Father Facing Multiple Sex Charges Involving Kids In His Care Now Behind Bars:

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Mark D. Obrien is facing multiple sex charges

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A longtime foster father from Republic is facing multiple sex charges related to two boys were placed in his home.

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Mark Daniel Obrien, 40, who was charged yesterday (01-30-12) with three counts of deviate statutory sodomy with a child under the age of 14, 1 count of felony child abuse, 1 count of child molestation and two counts of possession of child porn.

According to court records, the boys were between 7 and 9 years old at the time of the sexual assaults.

One of the boys told investigators that Obrien made him perform oral sex on him "on so many occasions that he could not remember the exact amount of times that the abuse occurred."  The boy, who lived in Obrien's home from April of 2007 to June of 2009, also says that when Obrien had anal sex with him he videotaped it.  He says he was also forced to watch kiddie porn with his foster dad.

The other boy told investigator's that Obrien inappropriately touched him on multiple occasions between June of 2009 and June of 2010.

According to the probable cause statement, a forensic computer examiner found multiple images of boys in various stages of undress engaged in sex acts on Obriens laptop.  The history on that computer showed that Obrien had visited several sites that "made reference to child pornography."

Obrien has been a foster parent for about ten years and has had over fifty children, who were all boys, placed in his care.
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UPDATE 02-03-12:

The U.S. Marshals Southern Missouri Fugitive Task Force and Detectives with the Republic Police Department located and arrested fugitive Mark D. O’Brien, at the home a friend near Strafford.

O’Brien is being held in the Greene County jail on $100,000.00 bond.

~UPDATED~Woman's Decomposing Body Found In Father's Home:

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Charity Ann Coscia was found decomposing in her father's home

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Authorities in Barry County are investigating the "suspicious death" of a woman whose decomposing body was found in her father's house.

Sheriff Mick Epperly says Charity Coscia, 28, was dead for at least two months when her brother found her dead on an air mattress in a bedroom in her father Peter's, 64, home at 28805 Walker Street in Seligman.

About six weeks prior to the gruesome discovery Scott Cosica had gone to check on his sister and was told by their father, "she was fine and to leave her alone," according to Epperly.

When Scott Coscia went back to the house on January 21st to take his father shopping he was overwhelmed by the smell inside the home and found his sibling dead.  Peter Coscia told his son and investigator's that "he had no idea" that his daughter was dead.

"At this point we don't have we don't have anything to charge him with.  Family members told us she had multiple health (stomach) problems.  We are waiting on autopsy results for a cause of death," said Epperly. 

Charity Coscia was booked into the Springdale, Arkansas jail last September for DWI, according to court records.  "That's the last documented time anyone outside of the family has seen her," said Barry County Detective Doug Henry.

Epperly says, "It's one of the weirdest cases I have ever worked."

Coscia's body was sent Southwest Missouri Forensics in Springfield for autopsy.

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UPDATE 02-08-12:

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Forensic pathologist Dr. Keith Norton of Southwest Missouri Forensics who conducted the autopsy on Charity Coscia says preliminary autopsy results show her cause of death, "is consistent with malnutrition or dehydration."  In other words, she starved to death.

Charges Filed Against Man Who Attacked Elderly Couple With Ax:

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Brandon M. Slavens (mug shot GCSO)

Charges have been filed against a Springfield man who broke into an elderly couple's home on Friday (01-27-12) and assaulted the couple.

Brandon M. Slavens is charged with burglary, robbery, armed criminal action, felonious restraint, resisting arrest, and two counts each of assault and tampering.

Slavens, 28, led cops on a high speed chase late Thursday night before he crashed his vehicle in the 800 block of State Highway T in Greene County.

Sometime between 3 and 3:30 a.m. the elderly couple, William, 81, and Bonita Pipkin, 79, who live about a mile from the crash scene, were woken up from noises outside their home.  Bonita Pipkin went to the back door and opened it and found Slavens standing in the breezeway holding an ax and told him to leave.

According to the probable cause statement, "As BP proceeded back into the residence and shut the door, Slavens shattered the door window and forced entry into the residence. Slavens grabbed a hold of BP and threw her on the floor. WP (the husband) was walking down the steps to the rear door pointing a rifle at Slavens. WP stated he pulled the trigger of the rifle in attempts to protect BP and himself. However, the gun safety was on and WP was not able to fire a shot right away at Slavens. Slavens immediately struck WP on his left arm with the ax, causing severe injuries to WP. Slavens took possession of the firearm and forced the couple back into the kitchen area."

Slavens demanded the couples money, credit cards, cell phones, medications, food, and car keys and then forced the couple into a closet and barricaded the door.

The couple told investigators they were able to crack the door open a few inches and witnessed Slavens ransacking their residence.

At about 8 a.m. the couples grandson arrived at his grandparent's home to drop off his dog and found the couple barricaded in a closet.

The elderly couple gave cops a description of their attacker and said he appeared to be “on dope.”

A BOLO was put out for the couples stolen 2001 white Chevy Imapla. Acting on a tip, authorities located the stolen vehicle in the 1700 block of E. Camorene.  The homeowner told investigators that he was familiar with Slavens, but was not friends with him, and did not give anyone permission to park the vehicle on his property.

An ax and the rifle taken from William Pipkin during the assault were recovered in the stolen vehicle.

A woman told detectives that Slaven's came to her residence on Caravan Friday (01-27-12) afternoon and that he was,  “scared, nervous and fidgety.” She said she also overheard Slavens say, “What was I suppose to do, he had a gun in my face.” The witness stated she heard the news about the couple who was assaulted and believed Slavens was involved with the assault of the elderly couple.

An interview with another witness who was also present at the house on Caravan said Slavens told her he was “in trouble.”  and he had done “something really wrong.”

Saturday afternoon cops found Slavens hiding, ironically in a closet, at a residence on the city's west side and he was taken into custody.

After being treated at a hospital for a dog bite he received while being apprehended, Slaven's was questioned by Detective Michael Eatherly.

According to court documents as Eatherly questioned Slavens he told him at one point in the interview, “They (the victims) saw you.  The old man was going to shoot you, you know?"  Slavens made a wincing facial expression and started crying as he nodded yes to my question. I told him he was lucky he was alive. Slavens continued to clearly nod yes. "

Eatherly told Slavens he had made a bad decision. While still crying Slavens stated, “I would never kill anybody.”

While questioning Slavens Eatherly told him, “I know it was you and you know it was you.” Slavens continued to cry and would not respond to my question. After a moment he stated, “It’s too late.”   

With that, the interview was over when Slavens asked for an attorney.

Eatherly wrote in his statement, "It should be noted Slavens stated he was not the person the news was portraying him as."

Slavens mother, Phyllis, says meth has destroyed her boy. "I don't see my son doing something like that. But then I've seen what meth does to people and it totally changes you."

The Pipkins were hospitalized following the assault. William Pipkin suffered a compound fracture to his arm while Bonita Pipkin suffered less serious injuries. Both are now out of the hospital and recovering, but have not yet returned to their home as they are too scared.

Slavens is held in the Greene County jail on $300,000 bond.

~UPDATED~Suspicious Death Investigation Launched In Jasper County After Teen Hunter Finds Body In Creek:

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Ronnie J. Genandt mug shot (JCSO)

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Authorities in Jasper County are treating a man's death as "suspicious" after he was found floating in Turkey Creek yesterday evening near Duquesne.

Captain Derek Walrod says a teenager who was squirrel hunting discovered the body of thirty-three year-old Ronnie J. Genandt off of east 7th near Travis Acres.

Walrod says at first there was some confusion in identifying Genandt because he was carrying the billfold and identification of a former roommate.  Positive identification the dead man, who may have been in the water for over a week, was made by a family member, according to Walrod. 

Captain Derek Walrod

Friends told investigators they had last seen Genandt around the holidays, said Walrod. 

Detectives aren't sure how Genandt died as there were no visible wounds on his body.  However, they are treating the man's death as a homicide until they receive autopsy results from Columbia.

Last April, Genandt was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine in Jasper County.  In May, he pleaded guilty to unlawful use of drug paraphernalia and was placed on one year unsupervised probation.  Then last August he was charged with possession of a controlled substance and driving while revoked after a Joplin police officer stopped to assist Genandt after his car had broken down. 

Genandt was charged with possession of methamphetamine in Newton County in April and he was bound over for trial on Decmber 6, 2011. On December 19, 2011, a warrant was issued for his arrest after he failed to appear to be arraigned in circuit court on the drug charge in Newton County.

"When you find a thirty three year-old man dead in a creek in the middle of nowhere, well, let's just say there are still lots of unanswered questions," said Walrod.
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UPDATE 01-26-12:

Genandt's death has been ruled an accidental drowning.  The investigation remains open pending final autopsy results.

Authorities In Carthage Issue Apology After Nude Photo Is Posted On Their Facebook Page:

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Authorities in Carthage have issued an apology after an employee accidentally posted an explicit picture to the police department's facebook page Monday (01-23-12.)

Police Chief Greg Dagnan said a "grievous error" was made by a department employee who was using a computer that held investigative photos while trying to post post an announcement about the annual Mudstock festival.

The picture was only up for about five seconds, but that was long enough for someone to spot the offensive photo and call police dispatch.  “We assumed it was deleted so fast nobody saw it,” he said.

“We should never be posting to Facebook on a computer that has anything investigative on it,” Dagnan said.

Dagnan said he said he does not believe the posting of the picture has jeopardized the criminal investigation in any way.

The police department began using Facebook last week. A news release at the time said the department wanted to use the social media site to keep the public informed “by going where they are,” and alerting the public to crimes and investigations.

Douglas County Woman Admits To Assaulting Boyfriend's Toddler Son:

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Baby Karson is doing well

A Douglas County woman who was charged last April with abusing her boyfriend's little boy while she was babysat him has entered an Alford plea.

Prosecutor's say Britini Leigh Tyra, 23, of Ava, shook baby Karson so violently that he had to be hospitalized and suffered extensive bruising from behind both ears that extended to the eyes and cheeks.

Britni Leigh Tyra will be sentenced in February

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Douglas County Deputy Vernon Johnson wrote in the probable cause statement, that the left side of the boy's head looked "considerably" worse than the right side. Johnson also noted that the toddlers right eye was "swollen shut.  The bruising and swelling initially led me to believe (the boy) had been repeatedly beaten about the head and face."

A doctor said little Karson's scalp was torn away from his skull in the assault and was consistent with someone grabbing him by the ears and shaking him.  The doctor said the bruising on the toddlers face "was blood pooling from hemorrhaging along the tears."

When Tyra was interviewed by authorities she told investigators she had no idea how the little boy ended up with the injuries.

The little boy did not suffer any internal injuries in the attack and reports are that his eyesight was not affected.  Friends of baby Karson's mom started a justice for Karson facebook page.
Tyra is scheduled to be sentenced on February 24th in Douglas County.


****An Alford plea is where a defendant does not admit guilty but acknowledges that prosecutor's probably have enough evidence to secure a conviction if the case were to proceed to trial.

Woman Accused Of Raping Mentally Challenged Teen In Pulaski County:

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Nyesah R. Robinson (mug shot PCSO)

An woman from St. Ann has been charged with raping a developmentally disabled teenager in Pulaski County.

An alleged physical assault by Nyesah R. Robinson, 22, on January 17th left the victim with physical injuries, according to a news release from Sheriff J. B. King.

During the assault investigation members of the newly formed Pulaski County Special Victims Unit uncovered information on the sexual assaults.

When deputies interviewed the developmentally challenged teen it was discovered that the alleged sexual assaults began in November of 2011 when the victim was 15 years-old.

Robinson is being held in the Pulaski County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

Texas Man Charged With Tampering After Allegedly Stealing Government Bus:

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Tom Mourning (mug shot CPD)

A man from Spring, Texas who could not pay his bill at a restaurant in Conway has been charged with tampering with a motor vehicle in Laclede County after it was discovered he had stolen a government bus in Springfield.

According to a news release from the Conway Police Department, officers responded to a disturbance at the Rocking Chair restaurant about 11 a.m. Thursday (01-19-12) in response to a man being "very  unruly and disorderly." 

When Tom Stanley Mourning's credit cards were denied to pay the $13.86 bill he asked to be able to go next door to the Budget Inn to retrieve some cash.  Conway police chief Michael Noyes accompanied the twenty two year-old to his motel room where Mourning allegedly tried run in the bathroom and shut the door to keep the officer out.   When asked about the money Mourning said he had it in his hand and showed officers seven cents.

While investigating Mourning's activity at the motel it was discovered that he arrived in a bus with government plates. 

According to the probable cause statement, Mourning went to Cummins Diesel located on Kearney Street in Springfield on January 18th and told him he was, "there to pick up the bus for the military" and was given the keys.  Authorities in Springfield seized Mourning's vehicle he left at Cummins when he took the bus.

Mourning, who has been charged with shoplifting, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest in municipal court in Conway, is being held on $25,000 bond in the Laclede County jail.

Another Delay In Capital Murder Trial Of Man Accused Of Killing Stepfather:

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The probable cause affidavit against Gary Wayne Parks is still sealed (mug shot BXCOSO)

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There has been another delay in the trial of a Tennessee man charged with capital murder for the 2006 stabbing death of his stepfather, Dr. David Millstein.

Baxter County Arkansas Prosecutor Ron Kincaide says defense attorneys for Gary Wayne Parks, 40, of Germantown, Tennessee have asked for a second continuance in their client's trial, which was scheduled to begin next Monday (01-23-12,) citing "a surprise" in the medical examiner's report.
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According to docket entries in the case, defense attorney's Joe Perry and Danny Glover, wanted the State Medical Examiner to pinpoint the time of Millstein's death. In December of 2010 Dr. Charles P. Kokes told defense attorney's that he could not pinpoint the time of Dr. Millstein's death and he does not routinely note the time of death while performing autopsy's. 
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On January 13, 2012, Kokes faxed Parks' attorney's a letter noting that he believed the time of death was in the early morning hours of June 17, 2006.  In their motion to continue, defense attorney's cited that the new information did not give them enough time properly defend Parks, and their need to have an expert review Dr. Kokes "opinion."

In the correspondence to defense attorney's Kokes says, "Autopsy findings alone, without consideration of investigative information, would place his death anywhere from 3 p.m. on 6/16 to 3 p.m. on 6/17.  Assuming the reliability of the investigative information I have been provided with, the time window narrows, and it is unlikely that death would have taken place prior to 1:30 a.m. on 6/17.  In light of the fact that he still had remnants of a dinner type meal in his stomach, that the assault took place while he was in bed, and that he was still wearing his bed clothes, it is most likely that the death took place in the morning hours of 6/17 between 1: 30 a.m. and the time at which he would have normally arisen."

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The probable cause affidavit that outlines the state's case has been sealed since Parks' arrest in December of 2009, but Kincaide says Parks killed 62 year-old Millstein, a Mountain Home urologist, in his home at 1707 Stephen Court on June 17, 2006, for financial gain and that the murder was premeditated.

Millstein was married to Lois Jane Parks (Gary's mother) at the time of his murder, however the couple were estranged and she lived in Little Rock at the time his death.
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Authorities in Mountain Home and Arkansas State Police investigated the case for three and a half years before Parks was arrested and say other arrests connected to Millstein's murder are possible.  In June of 2008, Mountain Home police chief Cary Manuel said authorities were interested in two suspects for Millstein's murder and that both were related to him.

If convicted of capital murder, there are only two sentences available for Parks...life without parole or the death penalty.

Sailor With Ties To The Ozarks Charged With Felony Child Abuse Following Death Of Girlfriend's Child:

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Micha Patterson could face murder charges for the death of girlfriend's baby

A serviceman from the Ozarks has been charged with felony child abuse and neglect following the death of his girlfriend's infant daughter.

Micah Patterson, 22, of Seymour, who is serving in the Navy, was babysitting the four-month-old girl Tuesday in Virginia Beach, VA when when a 9-1-1 call was made about 8 p.m. January 10th to report the baby was not breathing. 

Doctors say little Aubry Hannsz died from injuries, that doctors say are consistent with abuse, the following day at a local hospital. 

Patterson enlisted on Sept. 27, 2007, and has been assigned to the Public Safety Staff at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek – Fort Story since Nov. 25, according to Navy Personnel Command.

Patterson, who is being held without bond at the Virginia Beach Correctional Center, has not been charged with murder at this point, but those charges could come following reports from medical examiners.

Kimberling City Man Pleads Guilty To Drug Charges, Involuntary Manslaughter Charges Won't Stick:

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Dennis Horn has been placed on probation following the drug death's of his friends (mug shot SCSO)

A fifty year-old man from Kimberling City has been placed on five years probation after pleading guilty to possession of a controlled substance.

Stone County Prosecutor Matt Selby says his office could never prove that Dennis Horn, who had a valid prescription for Fetanyl, provided the drugs that killed 45 year-old Robert Murray, of Kimberling City, and 46 year-old Mark Marshal of Sparta on September 27, 2011.

Murray and Marshal died after extracting the Fetynal from a patch and cooking it with apple juice then injecting the drug mixture.

A friend of the dead men, Todd Rogers, told investigators that his friends had purchased Lorcet from Horn, who did NOT have a valid prescription for that controlled drug, the day before they overdosed.

Branson Man Charged With Assault After Allegedly Stabbing Wife:

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Harry Menke Jr. is facing several felony charges connected to an alleged domestic assault (mug shot TCSO)

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A man from Branson has been charged with kidnapping, first-degree domestic assault with serious injury and armed criminal action after allegedly stabbing his wife during a fight yesterday (01-11-11).

According to the probable cause statement, Harry Menke Jr., 52, told authorities that after he had returned home from looking for a job his wife, Heather, started yelling at him and slapped him in the face.  Menke told the arresting officer that he grabbed a steak knife and threw it at his wife not expecting it to "stick in her but it did." 

He told cops that he pulled the phone out of the wall and refused to let his wife leave the residence because after twelve years of being belittled by his wife he wanted her to "have a taste of her own medicine."

Menke is being held in the Taney County jail on $100,000 bond.

Hollister Man Charged With Sodomy After Attack On Teenaged Boy In WalMart Bathroom:

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Kyle Wayne Larue has bonded out of jail



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A man who lists home addresses in Hollister and Fort Smith, Arkansas was charged with statutory sodomy after allegedly assaulting a 15 year-old boy in the bathroom at the Wal-Mart in Branson West.

Stone County Prosecutor Matt Selby says Kyle Wayne Larue, 53, was allegedly posing as a 15 year-old named "Jeremy" on mbuzzy.com and lured the teen to the bathroom where the victim was forced to perform oral sex on Larue.

The teen told authorities that after he was sexually assaulted he followed Larue to his vehicle that had distinctive black tribal artwork on the side of the truck, but got out when Larue started the vehicle.  

Using search programs provided to law enforcement by cell phone companies, an emergency trace on the phone and video surveillance from multiple sources, Larue was tracked to his residence in Hollister and arrested.  

He was released after posting $15,000 bond and online court records do not show an arraignment date at this time. 

Pickle Busted On Taney County Rape Warrant In Tennessee:

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Lonnie Pickle is in the Hamilton, TN jail pending extradition to MO

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A man who allegedly raped a woman in Taney County last summer is behind bars in Tennessee.

Chattanooga police received information from authorities in Merriam Woods and Taney County sheriff's investigators that Lonnie Pickle, 32, formally of Merriam Woods, was working for Covenant Transportation and arrested him at his workplace on Thursday (01-05-12.)

Charges were filed against Pickle on November 30, 2011, following an investigation in which a  woman, who had a prior relationship with Pickle, told investigators that he raped her last July. 

Taney County Prosecutor Jeff Merrell, who was reached at home, says he will release more information on the case on Monday.

Pickle is being held without bond in the Hamilton County jail pending extradition to Taney County.

Utah Man Pleads Guilty To Hauling Ex-Girlfriends Dead Body To Branson:

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A Utah man who pleaded guilty last month to federal kidnapping has pleaded guilty to hauling the woman's dead body to Branson.

Michael Doyel, 51, pleaded guilty to murdering 50 year-old Deborah Jones today (01-06-12) and was sentenced to 15 years in a Utah prison. Doyel will first have to serve his 30 year federal sentence before the state sentence.

Deborah Jones was a nurse

Doyel strangled Jones after she ended their relationship. Investigators found her body hidden in a plastic storage container in the backseat of her car outside of the 76 Inn. 

Doyel, who at one time was declared incompetent to stand trial, kidnapped another woman, Patricia Murray, of West Valley City, Utah, and brought her with him to Branson.  During on proceeding in federal court in Salt Lake City, Doyel continuously looked around the room and told the judge that Jones was still alive and would be there any minute.

Authorities Won't Name Person Of Interest In Natzke's Murder:

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Authorities in Garland County Arkansas say they have a person of interest in the murder of a police dispatcher and mother of three whose remains were found in dense woods near a pond on New Year's Eve.

Dawna Natzke was last seen leaving a holiday party with her boyfriend, Kevin Duck, 28, on December 21. Natzke's son reported his mom missing two days later when she didn't show up for her shift at the Hot Springs Village Police Department.

A friend of Natzke's allegedly witnessed Duck shoving or pushing Natzke as the couple were leaving the party on Wednesday December 21st.  The friend texted Natzke, who is said to have left her purse at the party, around 8 a.m. Thursday (12-22-11) morning and said she was concerned about how she had seen Kevin treating Dawna.

Natzke's friend, Patty Hatthaway, contacted a neighbor of the murdered woman and asked them to check on Natzke after allegedly receiving a "strange text" back saying something along the lines of, "He didn't shove me. I took a pain pill and stumbled."

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UPDATE 01-05-12 @ 10:00 p.m.:

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Hatthaway told the AP in an interview the text said, “He didn’t push me i fell and he caught me. I had taken a pain pill and was tour up .” Hathaway says she doesn’t believe that message came from Natzke because, “I know she knows how to spell.  She only texts me if she was at work,” Hathaway said. “Otherwise, she’d always, always call me.”

A forest service employee discovered the charred remains of Natzke's "burned out" vehicle in the Ouachita National Forest on Thursday (12-22-11), however it wasn't reported to Hot Springs Village authorities until Christmas Eve.

On New Years Eve close to 400 volunteers showed up at Jessieville High School to search for Natzke.  About 45 minutes into the search her body was discovered near a pond about 5.5 miles from where her torched car was discovered.

Garland County Sheriff's  Lt. James "Corky" Martin says, "Although we are still awaiting autopsy results from the Arkansas State Crime Lab, we do have enough preliminary information to announce that we are investigating this case as a homicide and we do have a person of interest. At this point we are not releasing any names."

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Martin says they don't want to release the cause of death, "For reasons detrimental to the case, once we do get the results back from the lab, we will not be able to release the manor or cause of death, nor any other particulars related to the manor or cause."

UPDATE 02-02-2012:

February 02, 2012:

Kevin Duck is in jail on a probation violation

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Authorities have now named their "person of interest" in their investigation of the December murder of police dispatcher Dawna Natzke.

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Natzke's boyfriend, and the last person seen with her, Kevin Duck was arrested by the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office in Louisiana yesterday (02-01-12) on a no bond Arkansas Warrant for probation violation.

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Lt. James "Corky Martin said in a news release, "There are still lots of rumors and false information being spread via the internet on this case. We would like to stress that anyone with information pertaining to this case to please call Garland County Sheriff’s investigating officers at 501-622-3690. If the caller wishes, they can leave an anonymous message at 501-622-3674. "

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The Garland County Sheriff’s Office is offering a $1000 reward and Hot Springs Village has offered an additional $10,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the death of Dawna Natzke.

~WARNING SEXUALLY GRAPHIC~Fourth Man Pleads Guilty In Sex Slave Case Involving Mentally Challenged Woman:

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Michael A. Stokes (mug shot)

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A Lebanon man has pleaded guilty in federal court to his role in the sex trafficking of a young, mentally deficient woman.

Michael A. Stokes, 63, is among a group of six people who coerced the woman into being a sex slave for several years while she was tortured in a trailer in a wooded area in Lebanon.
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The abuse of the woman was uncovered after she was taken to a hosptial near death after being electrocuted during a torture session in February of 2009.

Some of the abuse took place inside this trailer

Stokes, also known as The Rodent, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple to his role in a conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion. Stokes’ guilty plea marks the fourth and final person in this case to be convicted under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act.

Stokes became familiar with the female victim (FV) in 2006 when he received pictures of her over the Internet, allegedly from her "master" Edward Bagley, in which she was naked with whip marks over her body. Stokes was told that the victim was a slave for “life” who was tortured for hours at a time and was required to do “everything and anything” she was told.

Edward Bagley (mug shot LCSO)

After a few weeks of chatting online, the plea agreement says, a co-conspirator brought the victim to Stokes’ house so she could do a “demo” for him. When they arrived at Stokes’ home, bringing a duffle bag of torture devices with them, FV was instructed to “put on a show for us.” FV was naked, wearing only dog collars and ankle collars with locks. Stokes was asked whether he wanted to have sex with her. Stokes said “yes” and he had sex with FV.

Stokes was stunned that “someone had that much control over someone” and “had never seen anything like it.”

Stokes began visiting the home where FV was being held. During his first visit, he was shown a photo of FV’s vaginal opening sewn shut and told this was done to demonstrate “what was expected of her.” FV was present for these statements and remained silent. FV never talked back or spoke up. FV never offered herself to Stokes and only acted on command.

It was obvious that FV was undereducated and had slower mental functioning. Stokes believed she had the educational level of a 13-year-old. FV did not have the normal skills of a 20-year-old woman.

Stokes visited the homne eight to 12 times. During these visits, he would receive sexual acts or be allowed to watch or participate in torturing FV. When he visited he brought steaks, hamburgers, jackets, personalized playing cards, lighters, cigarettes, and cash. Among other things, he witnessed FV being tortured with a crank phone, with electricity shot through devices clamped to her vaginal and anal openings.

Stokes began assisting in promoting FV at the strip clubs. Stokes took photos of FV around to the clubs to promote her there. Stokes gave $1,000 so that FV could be taken for a sexual bondage photo shoot in California for Taboo magazine. Stokes then took a copy of the magazine to promote her at the clubs. The photos in Taboo magazine were extremely mild and did not depict any of the cruel sessions Stokes had witnessed at the residence.

Issue of Taboo with victim

In 2009, Stokes was warned that there was an FBI investigation involving his conduct with FV. Stokes went on his computer and deleted hundreds of photos, his contacts with other females online, pictures of FV that he saved, and destroyed his copies of Taboo magazine and the sexual devices that he had acquired.

Under federal statutes, Stokes is subject to a sentence of up to five years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000 and an order of restitution.

Stokes is the fourth defendant in this human trafficking case to plead guilty.

Co-defendant Bradley Cook, also known as PutHer2GoodUse, 33, of Kirkwood, pleaded guilty on Dec. 20, 2011, for his role in a conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion.

Bradley Cook (mug shot)

From 2006 to 2009, Cook watched the victim being sexually abused and tortured in live online sessions and as depicted in photos and videos that he downloaded from the Internet. Cook admitted that he traveled to Lebanon on multiple occasions during that time to engage in sessions of sexual acts and torture with the victim. In exchange, Cook paid the victim for these sessions with such items as computer hard drives that contained images and videos of bondage, domination, sadism and masochism, which he had downloaded from the Internet.

Cook also admitted he was aware of other men who engaged in sexual acts and torture with the victim. He witnessed the victim being whipped and locked in a dog cage, as well as being tied up and shocked with multiple electrical devices. Cook described the abuse suffered by the victim as the most extreme he had ever seen.

In a binding plea agreement, the government and Cook jointly recommend to the court a set sentence of 20 years in federal prison without parole. Cook must also pay restitution to the victim. In addition to the sentence of imprisonment, the court may impose a term of supervised release up to life. Cook must also forfeit to the government the computer media he used to commit the offense.

Co-defendant Dennis Henry, 51, of Wheatland, formerly the postmaster of Nevada, Mo., pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion. Henry also pleaded guilty to transporting the victim across state lines for sexual activity.

Dennis Henry (mug shot)

Henry admitted he engaged in sex with the victim, and participated in torture sessions with FV that would last for hours. Henry saw pictures of FV's vagina sewn shut, which he was told was a form of punishment. Henry also admitted that he visited FV at a strip club in Lebanon where she was forced to work.

Under federal statutes, Henry is subject to a sentence of up to 15 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $500,000 and an order of restitution.

Co-defendant James Noel, 45, of Springfield, also pleaded guilty to participating in the conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion. Noel admitted he was one of the customers who sexually abused and tortured FV. Noel watched the victim being tortured and sometimes operated torture devices himself beginning in 2006, when she was approximately 20 years old. For example, Noel knew that FV hated being electrocuted with a crank phone (which was wired inside FV's vaginal and anal openings and to her toes), which he described as extremely painful, but he used it on her anyway.

James Noel (mug shot SCCO)

Under federal statutes, Noel is subject to a sentence of up to five years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000 and an order of restitution.

The trials for Edward Bagley and his wife, Marilyn, who is also  facing charges connected to this case, is scheduled to begin on February 13, 2012.

This case was investigated by the FBI in conjunction with the Human Trafficking Rescue Project.

Councilman Nick Ibarra Resigns Following Holiday Arrest:

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Nick Ibarra (mug shot GCSO)

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Springfield Zone 1 Councilman Nick Ibarra has resigned from city council effective immediately after being charged last weekend with felony unlawful use of a weapon.

Ibarra, 32, who was elected to a four year term in 2009, represented northwest Springfield.

Ibarra was arrested and charged following a domestic disturbance at his home late Sunday (01-01-12) afternoon in which he allegedly pointed a loaded handgun at himself and at his wife....threatening to kill himself and his wife.

In Ibarra's resignation letter to Mayor Jim O'Neal he writes,  "I have come to the recognition that I am in no position to further procrastinate dealing with the issues of my personal life that are at the forefront, as well as with issues as an individual that I have merely tried to band-aid for many years now.  I want to address these issues; I need to address these issues; and I plan to address these issues.  At this time, to best serve the constituents, I believe it is necessary that I remove myself from my current duties and allow the council to find someone that is currently more capable than I am to fulfill the position of Zone 1 Councilman."  

According to court records, he had been drinking before his latest brush with the law. Alcohol was also allegedly involved in a "road rage" incident on Thanksgiving day in which two men were injured. That incident is still under investigation by the Missouri Highway Patrol.

It appears that current city council members will likely ask constituents in Zone 1 interested in serving the remainder of the two years left in Ibarra's term to submit applications and then interview those interested and vote amongst themselves to appoint one of the applicants.

Mountain Home Woman Pleads Guilty To Douglas County Roadside Park Murder:

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April Quick (mug shot DCSO)

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A woman from Mountain Home, Arkansas has pleaded guilty to amended charges of second-degree murder for the ambush murder of her children's father.


Douglas County Prosecutor Roger Wall says April D. Quick, 33, and a friend of hers, Aimee L. Herring, shot and stabbed forty-two year-old Phillip Taylor to death at a roadside park between Ava and Mansfield on September 10, 2010, because "he had written a letter to April and demanded to see his children.  He thought he was going to see his children when they murdered him."

Per the plea agreement, Quick also pleaded guilty to armed criminal action. Quick was originally charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and robbery.  As part of the plea agreement, the robbery charge was dismissed.


Herring, 30, also of Mountain Home, pleaded guilty last year to amended charges of second-degree murder and armed criminal action for her part in Taylor's murder and was sentenced to fifteen years behind bars.
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Aimee Herring (mug shot MDOC)

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Quick is scheduled to be sentenced on April 3rd in Douglas County.

City ~UPDATED~Councilman Nick Ibarra In Greene County Jail, Now Charged With Felony:

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Councilman Nick Ibarra is jailed tonight (mug shot GCSO)

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Springfield City Councilman Nicholas "Nick" Ibarra is in the Greene County jail on a 24 hour investigative hold after police were called to Ibarra's residence about 4 p.m. today (1-1-12) in response to a domestic disturbance.

Springfield police Lt. Roger Moore says at the conclusion of the investigation Ibarra was arrested on probable cause of felony unlawful use of a weapon.

On Thanksgiving Ibarra was the center of an investigation involving an alleged drunk driving and road rage incident in which two men were injured.  The Missouri Highway Patrol is investigating the incident and no charges have been filed related to that case.

UPDATE 01-02-12:

Greene County Prosecutor Dan Patterson charged Ibarra today (01-02-12) with felony unlawful use of a weapon.

According to court documents, Ibarra allegedly threatened to kill himself and his wife with a handgun yesterday afternoon (01-01-12) before police were called.   " KMI (Ibarra's wife) told Ibarra that she was going to leave and he retrieved a handgun from the living room coffee table.  Ibarra inserted the magazine in the handgun and pulled the slide back, cycling a round into the gun's chamber.  KMI asked Ibarra if he was going to shoot her and he stated, No, I'm going to kill myself.  Ibarra raised the gun barrel up to his temple, then placed the barrel in his mouth. "

As KMI was retrieving personal items from the laundry room, "Ibarra pointed the gun at her, then back at him.  KMI told Ibarra she would call 911 if he didn't put the gun away and he stated, Then you are going to die."

Court documents say that as Ibarra's wife tried to persuade him to put the gun away he said, "One of us is going to die today; I need to contemplate who it is going to be." Ibarra then demanded his wife give him her cell phone but she refused.

It is alleged that Ibarra then gave his wife to the count of three to turn over her phone or, "he would shoot her in the foot."  As the count wound down, "Ibarra approached his wife in the bathroom and pointed the gun at her feet."

Ibarra then "exited the bathroom, unloaded the gun and put it on a nightstand. KMI got the gun, walked back into the bathroom, shut the door, and called 911."

When officers responded to the 911 call they found a Glock model 19 handgun on the bathroom floor and an unfired 9mm Luger bullet on the floor to the left of the front door and a second unfired bullet under the Christmas tree in the living room.

KMI showed one of the responding officer's a text message she had received earlier from Ibarra that said, "I never thght I would be in a world where I seriously contmlate making 10 bullets 8. But I also never thght u would do this either."

When the officers spoke to Ibarra, "he said he was in an argument with KMI and denied having or pointing the gun at her. Ibarra was arrested and taken to jail.

After being read his Miranda rights Ibarra allegedly, "admitted to having the firearm but denied pointing or threatening KMI with it."  Ibarra said he was "mad and admitted sending KMI the text message."

His bond has been set at $25,000 and the decision on whether Ibarra, who was elected to a four year term in 2009, remains on city council at this point lies with Ibarra himself.

The moral turpitude clause in the city charter would only apply in the case of a conviction and it can sometime take up to two years for a case like this to make its way through the court system.
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The charging document filed with the probable cause statement asked for the following stipulations:

“Defendant threatened wife with shooting prior to incident via text then threatened to kill himself or her in person while displaying a loaded handgun and pointing gun at himself and her.

“Defendant had been drinking and has a recent history of unpredictable and dangerous behavior while drinking. Defendant presents a threat to himself, to the victim and to members of the community.

“Defendant committed this offense knowing he is currently under investigation for a road rage type incident by the Springfield Police Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol.”

In addition to standard bond conditions, if freed Ibarra will be:

• Prohibited from possessing any firearms or living in a resident where firearms are present;

• Prohibited from possessing or consuming alochol or being on the premises anywhere alcohol is the primary item for sale;

• Required to wear an alcohol monitoring ankle bracelet;

• Prohibited from contacting his wife.

Arrest Made In Weekend Murder Of Republic Teen/Including PC:

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Gabriel Roche is charged with first-degree murder (mug shot GCSO)

An eighteen year-old man is facing first-degree murder charges in connection to the weekend death of another teen from Republic.

Gabriel Luke Roche was booked into the Greene County jail about 10 hours after a passerby called authorities about 7:30 a.m. Saturday (12-31) after discovering the body of 17 year-old Weston Tyler North lying in a ditch in the area of FR 178, east of Hwy. ZZ.  North had been stabbed multiple times and his throat was slit, according to court records.

The area where North's body was found is southeast of Republic High School and northeast of Wilson's Creek National Battlefield.

Weston Tyler North (facebook)

According to the probable cause statement used as the basis for the charges, "Roche admitted to being with Michael Roche [his brother] as well as a third subject as they drove Weston North from the Wal-Mart in Republic, Missouri to the location where he was later found deceased. He stated he went there with the purpose to kill Weston North. He stated he wanted to kill North because he believed North was a “snitch”, informing Law Enforcement of criminal activity and he wanted his brother to see someone get killed.

Greene County Sgt. Curtis Hunt writes, "Gabriel Luke Roche detailed how he killed Weston North which matched the injuries found on North. He detailed how he first stabbed North with a knife in the chest through the sternum. After North ran from him and he chased after him he said he stabbed North in the back and side. He said North begged for his life and he then cut his throat. The injuries sustained by North were consistent with the injuries Gabriel stated he inflicted on him."

Sgt. J. Stanley interviewed Michael Roche who corroborated the Gabriel's statement, "stating his brother Gabriel stabbed North in the chest, chased after North who begged for his life, and cut his throat. Michael Roche indicated that he thought they were walking from the van to a location to look for some of Weston’s belongings but in hindsight should have realized what his brother Gabriel was going to do."

According to online court records,  a stepparent of Gabriel Roche filed for an order of protection against the teen in May and in August he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor theft and assault and was sentenced to two years unsupervised probation, with 180 days of jail time suspended.

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Gabriel Roche is being held without bond (because a motion to revoke his bond has been filed with the court,) in the Greene County jail.  A check of an online census of inmates currently incarcerated in the Greene County jail does not show Michael Roche in the jail at this time.  The third unidentified person, whom sources say is E. B., was held on a 24 hour investigative hold and released after charges weren't filed against her.
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Sheriff Jim Arnott says he is in the process of releasing additional information concerning North's murder and will get back to me shortly.
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Probable Cause Statement Against Gabriel Luke Roche:

Date: January 1, 2012 Case #: 1959911

I, Sgt. Curtis Hunt, knowing that false statements on this form are punishable by law, state that the facts contained herein are true.

• 1. I have probable cause to believe that on December 31, 2011, near 6121 W. Farm Road 178, Republic, Greene County, Missouri, Gabriel Luke Roche; DOB: 07/09/1993, SSN: committed one or more criminal offenses.

• 2. The facts supporting this belief are as follows:

On December 31, 2011 at about 0728 hours a motorist called Greene County Dispatch to report a male subject was observed lying in a ditch on Farm Road 178 near State Highway ZZ near Republic, Missouri a location in Greene County. The motorist believed the subject appeared to be deceased. Upon arrival of Greene County Deputies and First Responders the male subject was located and confirmed to be deceased.

Greene County Sheriffs Deputy Teeling was the first Law Enforcement Officer to arrive on the scene. He observed the deceased male subject with an apparent laceration to the subject’s throat.

The deceased male subject was later identified as Weston T. North (DOB: 10/13/1994) who lived in the city of Republic, Missouri. Dr. Anderson with the Greene County Medical Examiner’s Office determined the manner of death to Weston North was by homicide. The cause of death was from multiple stab wounds.

Detectives discovered Weston North associated with Gabriel Luke Roche and Michael Roche, Gabriel’s brother. North was last seen in the company of Michael Roche the previous evening. Greene County Sheriffs Deputies received information Gabriel and Michael were looking for someone to pick them up and were on foot in the Springfield area. They were located along with a third subject walking on foot at Lynn and Franklin, Springfield, Missouri.

Post Miranda warning Gabriel Luke Roche admitted to being with Michael Roche as well as a third subject as they drove Weston North from the Wal-Mart in Republic, Missouri to the location where he was later found deceased. He stated he went there with the purpose to kill Weston North. He stated he wanted to kill North because he believed North was a “snitch”, informing Law Enforcement of criminal activity and he wanted his brother to see someone get killed.

Gabriel Luke Roche detailed how he killed Weston North which matched the injuries found on North. He detailed how he first stabbed North with a knife in the chest through the sternum. After North ran from him and he chased after him he said he stabbed North in the back and side. He said North begged for his life and he then cut his throat. The injuries sustained by North were consistent with the injuries Gabriel stated he inflicted on him.



The above facts and information are true to the best of my information and belief.
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UPDATE 02-28-13:

Greene County Prosecutor Dan Patterson has filed paperwork announcing that he intends to seek the death penalty against Roche for Weston's murder.