Murder Charges Filed In Death Of Baby In Barton County:

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David Rector has been charged with second-degree murder

A Barton County man is jailed in connection to the death of a four-month-old infant earlier this month.

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Authorities were initially called to an apartment in Lamar on February 17th because Kaiden Michael Parker Stevens was not breathing. The little boy died February 20 in a hospital in Kansas City.  However, since the injury to the child occurred in Barton County it is the responsibility of the county coroner to have an autopsy completed.
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Southwest Missouri Forensics in Springfield conducted the autopsy of the infant last week and preliminary autopsy results show Kaiden died from injuries consistent with shaken baby syndrome/blunt force trauma.

According to the probable cause statement, Jonathan David Rector, 27, told police that he was watching the little boy and fell down the stairs with him.  When he was about to be given a polygraph, he said he couldn't lie and that he had shaken the baby "in a fit of rage."  Rector told investigators the "rage was connected to the stress he was experiencing."
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 Rector is facing charges of second-degree murder.  His bond has been set at $500,000.
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UPDATE 12-5-12:

Rector pleaded guilty to amended charges of voluntary manslaughter in a plea deal. When he is sentenced early next year,  his sentence will be limited to 15 years in prison.

During a hearing Monday in Barton County court, Rector admitted he injured Kaiden Stevens by shaking him on Feb. 17 in what he called a fit of rage.

Attorney's Want Mental Evaluation For Volner, Murder Prelim Put On Hold:

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Terry Joe Volner is jailed in Wright County

The preliminary hearing for a man charged with murdering a little boy in Wright County last December has been put on hold as attorney's have asked the court for a mental evaluation for the man.

Prosecutors say Terry Joe "T.J." Volner, 23, slit four year-old Dusty Guenther's throat and then threw the little boy's body into a septic lagoon because he was jealous that the boy's mother had started dating someone else.

Earlier this month attorney's for Volner entered a not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect plea for their client.

Online court records say Judge Lynette Veenstra will rule on the motion on March 20th.  Volner's preliminary hearing has been rescheduled for May 29th in Wright County.

Defense Attorney's For Salazar Ask For Change Of Venue Two Weeks Before Murder Trial To Begin:

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Eddie Salazar's trial is scheduled to begin in two weeks

Attorney's for a Jasper County man charged with murdering his infant son are asking that his trial be moved to another county.

Prosecutors say Eddie Salazar Sr. threw his eight-month old son, Eddie Salazar Jr., into the Spring River in February of 2010 and then lied to authorities when he said masked intruders kidnapped the boy.

Salazar's trial is scheduled to begin on March 12th in Jasper County.

Judge Gayle Crane will rule on the motion March 5th.

UPDATE 03-05-12:

The motion for a change of venue was overruled.  The trial will begin on Monday in Jasper County.

Missing Man Found Murdered In Webster County:

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Billy Joe Harris was murdered January 15th

A missing persons investigation has now turned into a homicide investigation for authorities in Webster County.

Sheriff Roye Cole confirms that investigators were led last week to the body of twenty eight year-old Billy Joe Harris, who was found in a ravine near Rogersville.  Harris had been missing since January 15th. 

Cole says Harris was shot and killed in a dispute over a truck on the day he went missing.  On February 8th, the Springfield police department issued a news release asking for help locating Harris.

The sheriff says a Highway Patrol trooper attempted to pull over a female friend of Harris', Hannah Tilly, who was originally a suspect in the mans murder.  Tilley refused to stop and a brief pursuit ensued.  After Tilley was apprehended and arrested for outstanding warrants, she told authorities she had been a witness to a murder.

Tilley told investigators that she saw Dewayne Layton allegedly pick up a handgun and shoot Harris in the face in a bedroom of Layton's mobile home at 94 Corner Road in Rogersville. 

Tilley told investigators that Dewayne Layton, 43, Kevin Layton, 40, and their uncle, Alfred "Dino" Clevenger, 47, cover Harris' body with a blue tarp and load it onto a "homemade" stretcher and into the bed of  Kevin Layton's pickup truck.

Clevenger told detectives he and Dewayne Layton dumped Harris' body near a patch of cedar trees north of Rogersville and that he (Clevenger) put the revolver in a Christmas stocking and buried the alleged murder weapon at the base of a tree in Christian County.

According to the probable cause statement, the men returned to the trailer and removed the mattress that Harris fell onto, the carpet and padding from the bedroom and hallway, and the clothes they were wearing at the time of the murder and burned them.

Kevin Ray Layton has been charged with second-degree murder (mug shot LCSO)

Tilley told detectives she attempted to leave, but Kevin Layton allegedly pointed a shotgun at her and she feared for her life. "After several hours," Clevenger took Tilley to Springfield, according to court documents.
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Clevenger led cops to Harris' remains and the murder weapon on February 22nd, according to court records.
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Alfred Dino Clevenger has been charged with murder (mug shot GCSO)

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Kevin Ray Layton and Clevenger have been charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action.  Kevin Layton is also facing charges of felonious restraint for holding Tilley against her will and Clevenger is facing additional charges of tampering with evidence.

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Authorities need your help finding Dewayne Allen Layton (mug shot MDOC)

The alleged trigger man, Dewayne Allen Layton, Kevin's brother, has been on the run for about 3 weeks and is possibly headed to California. He is also facing second-degree murder charges and armed criminal action connected to Harris' death.

Harris was the father of an 11 year-old daughter and a 1 year-old son.

Sheriff Cole says Dewayne Layton is dangerous. If you have any information on his whereabouts you're asked to call the Webster County Sheriff's Office at 417-468-2222 or 9-1-1.

After Years Of Delays Trial To Begin In Rowan Ford Murder:

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Christopher l. "Chris" Collings (mug shot BCSO)

Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday in Platte County in the capital murder trial of  a man accused of raping and killing nine year-old Rowan Ford in November of 2007.  After the jury is selected, they will be sequestered and imported to Phelps County, where the trial was moved on a change of venue.

A mistrial was declared last May after attorney's on both sides could not agree on a jury in Phelps County after both sides had used mulitple strikes, leaving not enough potential jurors to meet legal requirmements.

many of those called saying they were familiar with the case due to widespread media coverage. 

Judge Mary Sheffield granted a motion that potential jurors should be picked from outside southwest Missouri.

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Chris Collings leaving court last year (courtesy Ozarksfirst.com)

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In December, Judge Sheffield agreed to take all the motions and everything having to do with the case off of online court records so potential jurors cannot access them.  However, there are hundreds of stories detailing the alleged crime online.  The security on online court records will be changed once a jury is selected and they are sequestered.

Barry County prosecutor Johnnie Cox says Christopher Leroy Collings, 35, kidnapped Rowan from her bedroom in Stella and took her to his trailer in Barry County where he and Rowan's stepfather, David Spears, raped and killed the child.


Rowan Ford was just 9 years-old when she was murdered

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Spears told investigators that when he left his home on November 3, 2007, the little girl was asleep in her bed. Spears' mother, who was "babysitting" the little girl, told authorities she didn't check on Rowan at all during the seven hours she was at the house.

David Spears (mug shot BCSO)

Several days after Rowan went missing her body was found in a sinkhole in rural McDonald County by a sheriff's deputy who followed a hunch on his way to work. Before the little girl's body was found, Spears tearfully appealed for the return of his stepdaughter to several news outlets.

In the probable cause statements filed against Spears and Collings, each of them claimed responsibility for Rowan Fords murder. One of them said that the little girl was killed inside of Collings trailer --the other said Ford was tied to a fence that held goats outside the trailer and murdered there.

Collings trailer where Rowan Ford was allegedly murdered

In the nearly four and a half years since Ford's murder there have been numerous motion hearings and changes of venue for each of the suspected killers.

Collings underwent a mental evaluation in 2010 and lawyers for both men say their clients rights were violated when private phone calls between them and their clients were taped while they were being held in the Barry County jail. Lawyers also wanted taped confessions from the men thrown out.

Cox says he it will take at least a week to seat a jury and believes the trial could take up to a month to complete.

Jury selection for Spears' trial is scheduled to be held in November with his case to be heard in Pulaski County.

~UPDATED~Defense Attorney Wants Change Of Venue For Republic Teen Charged With Murder:

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Gabriel Roche (mug shot GCSO)

A judge in Greene County will make a ruling next week on a change of venue motion made by defense attorney's for a teenager from Republic charged with murdering another teen on New Years Eve.

Attorney David Back is asking the court for a change of judge as well in the case against Gabriel Roche.

Roche, 18, is accused of allegedly slitting the throat of 17-year-old Weston North because he believed the young man was a "snitch" who was working for law enforcement, and he wanted his brother to see someone die and because he was a witness to a felony crime, according to the probable cause statement.  Authorities say North was not an informant.

Weston North (family photo)

Green County prosecutor Dan Patterson is opposing the change of venue motion, according to online court records.

Circuit Judge Dan Conklin will rule on the motion March 2.
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UPDATE 03-02-12:

A change of judge has been granted.  The ruling for the change of venue motion has been rescheduled for May 11th.
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UPDATE 02-28-13:

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

Douglas County Woman Withdraws Alford Plea In Assault Of Boyfriends 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 and entered an Alford plea to assaulting the toddler in December has withdrawn the plea after the judge in the case refused to accept the plea after learning the little boy may have permanent eye injuries connected to the assault.

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

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 initial reports were that his eyesight was not affected.

Karson's mother, Ashley Scribner, says she believes a jury will give Tyra a longer prison sentence than the 90 days she was expected to receive today for assaulting her baby. Tyra maintains she had nothing to do with the baby's injuries.

Douglas County prosecutor Roger Wall says Judge Don Henry has recused himself from the case citing that he now knows too much about the case to be impartial.  A new trial date will be set when a new judge is appointed to the case, according to Wall.

Friends of baby Karson's mom started a justice for Karson facebook page.

****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.

Noel Man Found Not Guilty In 2009 Slaying Of Son-In-Law:

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James Patterson was found not guilty of murdering his son-in-law

A jury in McDonald County has acquitted a man from Noel who was charged with murdering his son-in-law two years ago on a street in Noel.

Duane Cooper, attorney for James Patterson, 51, convinced the jury that his client was defending himself, his wife and his daughter when he shot 32 year-old Marty Reece five times on Sept. 7, 2009.  Patterson was also found not guilty of armed criminal action.

On Labor Day of 2007, Reece and James Patterson had been drinking and golfing together then they went to a bar and shot pool.

It was established during the trial that Reece, whose blood alcohol content was two times the legal limit at autopsy, was considerably more intoxicated than Patterson.

Reece called his estranged wife,  Jindy Patterson-Reece, and asked her to drive him home.

The Paterson's told a Noel deputy marshal that they received a call from their daughter that night telling them "If you can hear me, I need you to come right now."  Kimberly Patterson told the deputy marshal that she told her husband to take the gun with them as they were leaving.

Jindy Patterson was assaulted inside the vehicle in which she’d picked her husband up. He was still in that vehicle when his in-laws pulled up in their vehicle.

James Patterson told the deputy marshal that Reece "sucker punched" him as he got out of his vehicle. As the men were fighting, Jindy Patterson tried to intervene and the three of them ended up in a ditch.

Kimberly Patterson retrieved the gun from the car and hit Reece in the head with it three times before pointing it at his hip and attempted to shoot him. The gun didn’t fire, and the Patterson's told the investigator that at that point, Reece looked at his mother-in-law and said: “Pistol whip me, b----?” and reached for the weapon.

At that point James Patterson took control of the weapon and shot Reece five times.
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40th Circuit Court Judge Tim Perigo had earlier dismissed charges of attempted murder against Kimberly Patterson, 47, for insufficient evidence.

Manslaughter Trial To Begin This Afternoon For Man Accused Of Gunning Son-In-Law Down On Street In Noel:

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James Patterson (mug shot MCDSO)

Jury selection gets underway this afternoon for a man from McDonald County charged with second-degree murder for allegedly gunning down his son-in-law on a street in Noel in 2009.

Prosecutors allege that James Patterson, 51, Noel, shot Marty Reece, 32, during an argument on Alexander Street not far from Reece's home. Patterson told cops that he was defending himself, his wife and their daughter, Jindy Patterson-Reece.

At Patterson's preliminary hearing the chief deputy marshal of Noel, Michael Miller, testified that Patterson told him he and Reece spent the day of September 7, 2009, golfing and playing pool.

Later that evening, Jindy Patterson called her parents for help saying, "If you can hear me, I need you to come right now." Kim Patterson allegedly told her husband that they should take a gun with them for protection.

When the Patterson's got to Hwy 90 and Alexander Street James Patterson approached the car that Reece and his daughter were in. According to Jindy Reece, her husband sucker punched her father and the two began fist fighting.

At some point during the melee Kim Patterson began hitting Marty Reece over the head with the butt of the gun. Not long after that James Patterson allegedly took the gun from his wife, chambered a round and began shooting. Five rounds were recovered from the body of Marty Reece.

When authorities arrived at the crime scene, they found the Patterson's standing near their vehicle, and their daughter cradling her husband's lifeless body in a nearby ditch.

According to online court records Jindy Patterson-Reece filed for divorce from her husband in February of 2009 and had an active order of protection against Reece at the time of his death.

Lawrence County Sheriff's Office On Cutting Edge Of Technology For Booking Offenders:

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Lawrence County Sheriff Brad DeLay

The Lawrence County Sheriff's Office has gone hi-tech when it comes to booking inmates into the couty jail

It is now using the Biometric inmate booking system. The newest phase includes being able to submit photos for facial recognition.  Online forensic science courses teach similar methods of identification and it is likely more training in this area will be required in the future.

Over the last couple of years, the Sheriff's Office has been upgrading technology that will allow quicker processing of inmates as well as speedier identification of crime suspects. The first phase was adding "Live Scan" technology which took digital fingerprints that were submitted to local, state, and national databases allowing the Sheriff's Office to quickly identify unknown persons.

The second phase was the addition of "Iris Scan" technology. This technology allows the photographing of the iris of inmates which was then placed into the same data base that even more accurately than fingerprinting allowed for the identification of inmates and suspects.

Shortly after that, collection of DNA from inmates on certain offenses began.

The newest phase is that photos of inmates are being collected by a camera to be used in facial recognition technology. Photos are now taken and submitted to a database in Jefferson City which can be used to recognize people by facial features.

The newest upgrade is apparent on the Sheriff's Office website by the new format that photos are appearing. These photos are now all uniform and for a specific purpose.

In a news release Sheriff Brad DeLay said, "It is the hope that with this technology, crimes can be more readily and quickly solved."

Branson Man Sentenced To Prison For Assaulting Infant:

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Justin Scott Russell was charged as a prior and persistent offender

A man from Branson has been sentenced to ten years in prison for abusing his infant last summer.

Prosecutor's say Justin Scott Russell, 33, pleaded guilty in December to covering the infant's face with a pillow and then tossing the baby six feet onto a couch for crying on August 1, 2011.

Russell's mother and the baby's grandmother witnessed the assault and called authorities after she left her son's house because she feared for her and the baby's safety.

When questioned at the scene, Russell denied any abuse toward the baby. At the time of his plea, however, Russell did tell the court that he was sorry for his actions toward his child.

Russell, who pleaded guilty to domestic assault and assault in January of 2011, was charged as a prior and persistent offender.

Funeral Services Announced For Toddler Murdered In Morgan County:

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Blake Litton was murder 10 days before his fourth birthday

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Funeral arrangements have been set for a toddler from Stover who was allegedly murdered by his mother's boyfriend.

Blake Evann Litton will be remembered at a visitation from 4 - 6 p.m. Tuesday at Campbell-Lewis funeral home in Sweet Springs.  Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Thomas Joseph "T.J." Presley, 21, and Blake's mother, Jamie Miller Litton, 25, are each charged with second-degree murder for the little boy's death.  Litton also faces two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

Court documents say Presley beat the little boy with his hands and feet because he "pooped" his pants and he "lost it."  Those same court documents allege that the couple hatched a scheme to say the little boy had been fatally injured in a bogus hit-and-run accident.

Both Presley and Litton are being held on a $100,000 cash only bond in the Morgan County jail.

Tragic Shooting In West Plains Kills Teen:

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Authorities in Howell County are investigating a tragic shooting that has left a teenager dead.

West Plains police say 14 year-old Jason Gregory Spurling was shot by a 15 year-old friend at 1760 state Highway BB when a handgun accidentally discharged about 6:30 p.m. Friday (02-18-12), hitting Spurling in the chest.

Spurling was transported to Ozark Medical Center and pronounced dead at 7:25 p.m.

No charges have been filed against the 15 year-old, whose name has not been released, at this time and the incident has been turned over to juvenile authorities.

Southwest Missouri Forensics will perform an autopsy on Spurling on Tuesday in Springfield.

Man Shot In Powersite Home Invasion Burglary Pleads Guilty:

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Danny Waggoner will be sentenced in April

A man from Harrison, Arkansas who was shot by a homeowner during a home invasion burglary in Powersite last June has pleaded guilty.

Danny Paul Waggoner, 24, pleaded guilty Thursday (02-16-12) to first-degree burglary, first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle, and armed criminal action.

Peggy Melton shot through a door, hitting Waggoner in the chest, after she came home and found him in her house on June 22.

Waggoner fled to a stolen truck driven by Courtney Gail Simpson.  The pair were arrested later and Waggoner was transported to a Springfield hospital for treatment.

Waggoner, who was not under police guard while he was hospitalized, walked away from the hospital eight days later and wasn't seen again until he was arrested three months later on DWI charges in Yankton, South Dakota. He has also pleaded guilty to the charges in South Dakota. 

As part of the plea deal in South Dakota Waggoner agreed to waive extradition back to Missouri to face charges here.

Courtney Simpson was given 120 days shock time and five years probation

Simpson, 22,  was sentenced last month to 120 days shock time in the Taney County jail after pleading guilty to burglary and tampering with a motor vehicle. She was also place on five years supervised probation.

When Waggoner is sentenced on April 19 he faces five to fifteen years in prison for burglary, up to seven years for tampering and three to thirty years for armed criminal action.

~UPDATED - DEVELOPING~Man Who Staged Alleged Hit And Run Of Toddler Facing Murder Charges, Mother Also Charged With Murder (PC Attached):

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Thomas Joseph Presley is facing murder charges

A man from Morgan County is facing murder charges for allegedly beating his girlfriend's three year-son old to death.

Authorities say Thomas "T.J." Joseph Presley, 21, initially called them about 5:10 a.m. today (02-16-12) to report that little Blake Litton had been run over by a hit-and run driver on Hwy 135 near Buttons Road in Stover. 

The Associated Press is now reporting that the mother, Jamie Miller Litton, 25, has been arrested as well.
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Inconsistencies in Presley's statements, coupled with the violent trauma to the little boy's head and torso, led to couples arrest.

Presley told Highway Patrol troopers they had stopped for a bathroom break and Blake darted into the road, where he was struck by a hit-and-run driver.

Troopers became suspicious as there were no skid marks in the road and the boy's injuries were not consistent with a hit-and-run.
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Sheriff Jim Petty says investigators determined that Presley had been to Wal-Mart with a three year-old little Faith and Blake about 1 a.m and took food to the children's mother at work.  Then sometime between 2 and 3 a.m., "The little boy misbehaved and messed in his pants and he (Presley) lost it, I guess."
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Blake Litton was beaten to death

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According to the probable cause statement, Presley told detectives he became enraged at little Blake about 2:30 a.m. and beat him with the heel of his hand and stomped on him saying, "I really beat him bad this time."  Presley said he blacked out as he beat the boy, who would have turned 4 in ten days.

Presley said he put Blake to bed and about thirty minutes later he heard a thud in the kitchen and discovered the toddler unresponsive on the floor.  Presley told cops he thought the little boy was paralyzed and knew he was "injured very badly and appeared to be gasping for breath as his eyes were rolled back in his head."

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Jamie Ann Miller Litton has been charged with murder for her toddler's death

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The sheriff says sometime between 3 and 5 a.m. Presley put the girl and the fatally injured little boy in the car and drove to Golden Age Living Center, where their mother worked.  It is there that the couple allegedly "hatched a scheme to keep the boyfriend out of jail," according the the sheriff.

According to court documents, Presley told Jamie Litton in text messages BEFORE he arrived at her place of employment that he "lost it" and beat the boy so badly he thought he was paralyzed.  He told Litton he "thought he over did it."

Litton told her supervisor that she needed to leave to take her son to the hospital and she was told she could not leave.  A co-worker corroborated Litton's claim, according to court documents.

Litton told Presley he needed to take the child to the emergency room for treatment but he said, he "couldn't because he would go to prison for the rest of his life"  When Presley showed up at her workplace Litton told investigators her little boy had a "weak pulse."   She said, "he (Presley) was crying - I was crying," but little Blake "looked peaceful in his booster seat."
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Baby Blake Litton

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Presley told investigators that as he drove Blake toward Sedalia for medical treatment he "realized he was deceased" and called 9-1-1.

At 5:15 a.m. Litton clocked out of work after telling co-workers Blake had been hit by a car.  She walked home then rode to the staged hit-and-run...never informing anyone the truth of what happened to her little boy.

The cause of Blake's death was a lacerated liver and a ruptured blood vessel in his brain.  He had bruises covering the majority of his little body.

After law enforcers told the couple they could leave with the little girl they went to a neighbors house and Litton left her little girl with Presley to go visit her mother.

Petty said, "Upon further investigation it was determined that Thomas Presley staged the hit and run to cover up an assault on the juvenile that took place at his residence at 105 Oak Park Lane in the city of Stover. "

Sheriff Petty says, "At the very least this involves a cover up that resulted in the death of a toddler that never should have happened.  I have a three year-old grandson....this has been a really hard day." 
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Presley told investigators he believed Jamie Litton was cheating on him and they were having relationship problems.

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The little girl, Faith Emma Litton, who has been placed in protective custody, had a broken wrist and bruises on her head, buttocks, legs, torso and arms when she was examined by doctors.  Doctors say she was missing a patch of hair that had started to grow back above a bruise on her head.  Her liver enzymes were elevated, "which can be an indication of blunt injury to the liver."

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Blake and his sister Faith

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When she was interviewed about what happened to her brother she said T.J. punched Blake in the mouth because he "pooped."  She said she witnessed Presley put her brother in the bathtub and " hit him with the bathtub a lot" and that Blake kept popping more while that was happening.

Presley, is facing a second-degree murder charge and is being held in the Morgan County Jail on $100,000 cash only bond.   Jamie Miller Litton has been charged with second-degree murder and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Her bond is also set at $100,000 cash only.

~UPDATED~Woman Who Had Recently Given Birth Found Dead In Hosptial Waiting Room:

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Stephanie Maylee was found dead in hospital waiting room

Authorities in Rolla are investigating the death of a woman found in a hospitality/waiting room at Phelps County Regional Medical Center.

Stephanie Maylee, 25,  of Rolla, who had given birth to a baby boy by Cesarean Section on Friday, was found dead about 10 a.m. Monday (02-13-12.)
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Maylee, who had been discharged from the hospital, was staying in the hospitality room to be near her little boy, Blake, who was still hospitalized.

An autopsy was scheduled to be performed today.  A forensic pathologist, who has not been consulted in this case, says a pulmonary embolism or Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) are possible causes in Maylee's death.

Police are not releasing further details, but they are asking anyone with any information about Maylee to call Rolla Police Detective Robert Jones at (573) 308-1213.
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UPDATE 02-15-12:

Preliminary autopsy results show that Maylee's death was caused by "an apparent self induced prescription medication overdose,"  according to a news release from the Rolla police department.
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Authorities are now saying that Maylee was staying in a "private" hospitality room at the hospital.

Bail Bondsman Found Guilty Of Producing Kiddie Porn:

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Joseph Vanhorn faces a minimum of 15 years behind bars

A bail bondsman from Kansas City was found guilty today (02-13-12) of using a tween to produce kiddie porn at a trailer in McDonald County in 2009.

Federal prosecutors say Joseph Vanhorn, 70, owner of Victory Bail Bonds, gave the 12 year-old pot and alcohol on several occasions and took sexually explicit pictures of the young girl at his trailer in Noel from August to December of 2009.

Investigators also found additional child pornography on Vanhorn' home computer when he was arrested.

Vanhorn is  facing a minimum of 15 years in prison without parole and a fine of up to $250,000 when he is sentenced.

Jackie Johns' Scholorship Offers Hope For Students In Nixa:

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Becky Sawyer, Nixa Education Foundation president, Jeannie Johns (Jackie’s sister), and Kristy (Keltner) Horton, original scholarship board member, receiving check from Nixa Public Schools board treasurer & executive director of finance, Brenda Rantz.

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A quarter century has passed since Jackie Johns was murdered and a little over a year has passed since Gerald Carnahan, the man who was always the chief suspect in her murder, was found guilty.  Today, there is hope for students in Nixa who want to further their education thanks to a scholarship set up in Jackie's memory.
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According to a news release from Nixa Public Schools, "In June of 1985, a few days before the funeral of Jackie Johns, a reward fund started with a mere $500 for information leading to the person responsible for her death.  In just a few days that $500 grew to an amazing $11,800. Originally set up for six months, the reward fund was extended another six months. 
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One year later, in July of 1986, no one had stepped forward to claim the reward and the local banker and Christian County Sheriff, Dwight McNeil, suggested that since no one had claimed the money it should become a scholarship fund. A letter was sent out to the 265 people who had contributed to the reward fund to see if they wanted their money back, but all agreed that the money should be put into the a scholarship in memory of Jackie Johns. The first Jackie Johns Scholarship in the amount of $300 was awarded to Paul Cox by the directors of fund: Marilyn Richmond, Kristy Keltner, and Barbara Kreider.

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Jackie Johns was 20 years-old when she was murdered

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In 1987, the Scholarship Fund was turned over to Nixa Public Schools. Since that time, $16,690 has been awarded in scholarships to 29 Nixa students who planned to further their education at a 4-year college, a 2-year junior college, school of cosmetology, vocation-technical school, or other business or career training school.

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The principal of the funds were not allowed to be used for any purpose for a period of 25 years, only the interest was used for scholarship purposes. Since 25 years have now passed, it was the desire of one of the original board of directors, Kristy (Keltner) Horton, that the funds be transferred to the Nixa Education Foundation.

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On January 23, 2012 the Nixa Education Foundation was presented a check in the amount of $13,442.83 officially turning over the Jackie Johns Scholarship Fund to their care. Anyone interested in donating to the NEF Jackie Johns Scholarship Fund may do so at www.nixaeducationfoundation.net.

Walnut Shade Man Sentenced To 14 Years For Sex Offenses Involving Children:

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Ricky Don Ralston (mug shot TCSO)

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A  man from Walnut Shade has been sentenced to fourteen years in prison for sex offenses involving his former live-in girlfriend's children.

A jury found Ricky Don Ralston, 44, guilty of statutory sodomy, statutory rape and sexual misconduct by indecent exposure in December.

Taney County Prosecutor Jeff Merrell says the jury deliberated about forty five minutes before finding Ralston guilty of supplying the 15-year-old daughter with drugs and alcohol and having sex with her on multiple occasions from December of 2009 thru August of 2009.   The jury also found him guilty of exposing his genitals to his girlfriend’s young son for the purpose of harassing and humiliating the then 13-year-old boy.

"A child abuse hotline call prompted an investigation that led to an investigation into the sexual abuse allegations. The indecent exposure charge was the result of a disclosure from the 13 year old son of Ralston’s girlfriend that Ralston had exposed himself to the boy, then made fun of the boy and called him names for having looked at Ralston’s genitals," said Merrell.

Judge Mark Orr sentenced Ralston to consecutive (one after the other) sentences of six years for statutory rape, six years for statutory sodomy second, and two years for sexual misconduct with a child by indecent exposure.

June Jury Trial Set For Andy Williams Former Bookkeeper:

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Dawn Cleveringa is accused of stealing from Andy Williams (mug shot BPD)

A jury trial is scheduled for June for a former bookkeeper for Andy Williams who is accused of embezzling money from the singer.

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Prosecutors say Dawn Cleveringa, who worked at Moon River Enterprises for 14 years, stole at least $25,000 when she wrote checks to herself and forged the singers signature while she was employed by the entertainer.  Attorney's for Williams say the amount is closer to $1 Million.  She is also facing forgery charges in the case.

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Cleveringa's trial is scheduled to begin on June 25th.

Stone County Man Pleads Guilty To Incest, Sentenced To Prison:

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James Owens was sentenced to four years in prison

A Stone County man who was initially charged with the forcible rape of his adult daughter last summer has pleaded guilty to an amended sex charge.

Stone County prosecutor Matt Selby says 49 year old James Owens of Galena waived formal arraignment earlier this week and pled guilty to amended charges of incest and was sentenced to the maximum sentence of four years in prison.

Former City Councilman Charged In Thanksgiving "Road Rage" Incident:

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Former Springfield city councilman Nicholas Ibarra was charged today (02-09-12) in a case related to a road rage incident last Thanksgiving.

Prosecutor's charged Ibarra with three counts of felony assault and one count of felony tampering with evidence.

The probable cause statement says Ibarra was driving a vehicle near center city and was stopped at several green lights.  One of the victims told investigators that he honked his horn and Ibarra followed him to a house and identified himself as a city council member.

After words were exchanged several people told Ibarra they were calling police and he said "to do it."  He responded he would also call cops.  When one of  them men reached in Ibarra's vehicle to grab the keys out of the ignition and a beer bottle allegedly in the console of the car, Ibarra threw his vehicle in reverse, dragging two men who sustained injuries.

The investigating officer says Ibarra, who resigned from his City Council seat several weeks ago, attempted to hide a near empty bottle of vodka in the sleeve of his sweatshirt as his vehicle was being searched. 

Last month prosecutors charged Ibarra with unlawful use of a weapon following a New Year's day incident in which he threatened to kill himself and his wife.

Prosecutors want the court to order Ibarra to stay away from alcohol and wear an alcohol detection bracelet.  They are also asking for a $5,000 bond.

~UPDATED~International Fugitive "Fast" Eddie Maher's 19 Year Run Ends In Christian County:

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Fast Eddie Maher was apprehended in Christian County

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An international fugitive who has been on the run for nearly twenty years has been arrested in Christian County.

Edward John "Fast Eddie" Maher, a former security guard accused of stealing a security van in 1993 in Felixstowe, England., on January 22, 1993.  It is alleged he stole 50 bags filled with coins and 10- and 20-pound notes - about $1.5 Million.
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Edward John Maher's most recent mug shot (GCSO)

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Ozark Police Chief Lyle Hodges says Maher, 56, was apprehended about 11 a.m. today (02-08-12) following a tip on February 6th to an Ozark police officer and that he was living in the area for the last few years under the assumed name of his brother Michael "Mike" Maher and working for Suddenlink cable company.

"I am very proud of patrol officer David Overcast and Detective Kevin Boyce who took a tip and developed it leading to the arrest of international fugitive Eddie Maher.  It feels great that our guys got someone that everyone had given up on finding," said Hodges.

The FBI says Maher is being held on immigration charges while they confirm with Interpol whether or not Maher has outstanding warrants from the United Kingdom.

According an article in the Ipswich Star, a newspaper based in the U. K., Maher stole the money from Lloyds Bank in Felixstowe when another security guard went inside to make a delivery. Maher, a former fireman and expert locksmith, was known to have gambling debts, the paper said.

Maher was able to escape because it took 45 minutes for cops to locate the armored van, which was equipped with a tracking device.  He transferred the stolen loot to a stolen Toyota Previa with fake license plates and later switched cars again, before boarding a plane for the United States.
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Lee King (courtesy KSPR)

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Authorities tracking Maher discovered that Maher’s girlfriend Debbie and their son Lee, then aged four, were in a hotel in Boston at the time of the heist.  Lee was found to also be living in Ozark and using the last name of King.  He was told he was two years older than he actually is and had no knowledge of his father's criminal past.

Maher's wife, "Sarah" and a younger son live in Ozark.
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UPDATE 02-09-12:

Maher has now been charged in federal court with illegally possessing firearms. 

According to a news release from Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, "Maher told federal agents that he began working in the United States in 1998 and had been using the identity of his brother, Michael Maher, who lives in England.  Police officers seized the firearms from Maher's residence and from a storage facility in Ozark.  Under federal law, it is unlawful for an illegal alien to possess any firearms or ammunition."

According to the criminal complaint filed in federal court against Maher, Lee King was arrested on traffic warrants out of Ozark and jailed in Nixa.

When Maher went to bond his son out of jail he told an officer he wanted to file a complaint against his son's wife because she had allegedly stolen one of his guns.  After the report was made, a Nixa police officer told Maher that he knew he was wanted in England, but he could not arrest him.

King asked his dad about the allegation after they left the police station and he told officer's his father was, "irate" and said they would have to leave again. He also allegeldy "threatened to kill the person who tipped the police off about his identity."

While Maher's son was being interviewed by the FBI on February 7th - he [Maher] called and said the had to leave immediately.  King told his father "he could not go with him."  Shorty thereafter, Maher, who was under surveillance by the Ozark Police Department, was observed leaving his home with a woman and a juvenile male.

On February 8th, Lee King contacted the FBI and told them his father had checked into a hotel in Ozarks "because he was afraid police were coming to his house to arrest him."  Later Maher told his son that he had changed his mind and was going back home, "and if the police were going to arrest him, he would not resist."

Later on the 8th FBI agents and officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement made contact with Maher at his residence.  When agents asked him what his name was he responded "Michael Maher" and produced a Missouri drivers license.  Maher was taken into custody by ICE agents to determine his immigration status.

Maher's wife, who was also at the residence, identified herself as Deborah Ann Brett (she also uses the name Deborah King.) She told agents that her husband had used the aliases "Stephen King but primarily Michael Maher and the alias date of birth of 4-17-1951."  
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Brett told agents her husband had used his brother Michael Maher's identification to obtain work and other state identification.   Brett told investigators that Maher had obtained several firearms while he was on the lam and that she didn't want them and they were confiscated.

Maher admitted to obtaining several firearms while in the States but did not elaborate on how or where they were purchased. However, he did tell authorities he purchased the Moisan Nagant rifle at a sporting goods store.

When Maher was interviewed by authorities he waived his right to have a lawyer present while being questioned.  He acknowledged that his true name is Edward John Maher and his actual birth date is 6-2-1955.  He told agents that he began using his brother's alias when he began working in the United States in 1998 and that he was in the country illegally.
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Property records show someone using the name Michael Maher lived in New Hampshire, mainly in Concord, from 1997 until 2006. He was also connected with homes in Florida, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Maher told cops that he "obtained a Social Security number in the name of his brother and other false identification in the U. S. to conceal his true identity because he was wanted for a crime he committed in England."

Brett says if her husband is sent back to England then the family will go there too.
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COMPLETE NEWS RELEASE:

Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a fugitive from England who was arrested in Ozark, Mo., was charged in federal court today with illegally possessing firearms.

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Edward John Maher, also known as Michael Maher, 56, of Ozark, was charged with being an illegal alien in possession of firearms in a federal criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Springfield, Mo.

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Today’s criminal complaint alleges that Maher, an illegal alien, was in possession of a Hi-Point .45-caliber pistol, a Jennings .380 pistol, a Mauser 7.62x39 rifle, and a Mossberg .22-caliber rifle.

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According to an affidavit filed in support of today’s complaint, the Ozark Police Department received information on Monday, Feb. 6, 2012, regarding a fugitive from England who allegedly stole a large amount of cash while working as a security guard. Ozark police officers and FBI agents conducted surveillance of Maher until he was arrested on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012.

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Maher told federal agents that he began working in the United States in 1998 and has been using the identity of his brother, Michael Maher, who lives in England. Police officers seized the firearms from Maher’s residence and from a storage facility in Ozark. Under federal law, it is unlawful for an illegal alien to possess any firearms or ammunition.

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Phillips cautioned that the charge contained in this complaint is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

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This case is being prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. Oliver. It was investigated by the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service and the Ozark, Mo., Police Department.

Springfield Police Need Your Help In Locating Missing Man:

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Authorities need help locating Billy Joe Harris

Authorities in Springfield are asking for help from the public in locating a man who has been missing since January 15th.

According to a news release from police, Billy Joe Harris, 28, has not been seen by friends or relatives since Jan. 15. Harris' mother reported him missing Jan. 26th.

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Harris, who doesn't have a known address in Springfield or own a vehicle, often stays with friends in Springfield and the Rogersville area, police say.  Family members told police it is unusual for him to not have personal or phone contact with them for this long.

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Harris is a white male about 5' 10" and 160 pounds.  He has brown hair and brown/hazel eyes.  He has a tattoo of a star on his left shoulder and a tattoo of an of an A on his left arm.  Friends say Harris usually wears a ball cap.

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If you have any information about Harris or his whereabouts call the SPD at (417) 864-1810 or 9-1-1.