A $2 million dollar grant will be available to help victims of domestic violence in the Lake Area.

“These funds are key to Citizens Against Domestic Violence continuing the be able to operate in this community” says Sheree Keely, the Executive Director of CADV.

She tells KRMS News fundraising and donations alone cannot keep organizations focused on providing resources for victims of domestic violence going “I’ve provided one of the local offices with several packets, over 50, prior to the 4th of July holiday. Right after the Holiday, I got a call requesting more.”

Keely says those the packets given to law enforcement have information on how victims of domestic violence can get the help they need.

Governor Mike Parson announced the grant Tuesday, which includes another $2 million dollars for children who’ve been victims of sexual abuse and receive help from organizations like Kids Harbor in the Lake Area.

Photo by Colin Davis on Unsplash

The Lake Area Narcotics Enforcement Group is giving numbers for the second quarter of 2021.

The multi-jurisdictional agency reports 343 grams of meth was seized.

Close to 4-thousand grams of marijuana, 10 grams of Psilocybin mushrooms and 79 doses of fentanyl were also picked up during enforcement efforts.

Twenty-five search warrants were served and 56 people were arrested and charged with 129 drug-related charges.

***Additional Details:

LAKE AREA NARCOTICS ENFORCEMENT GROUP ANNOUNCES QUARTERLY AMOUNTS OF DRUG SEIZURES

The Lake Area Narcotics Enforcement Group (LANEG) is a multi-jurisdictional drug task force which serves Camden, Crawford, Gasconade, Laclede, and Maries Counties.  Additionally, the task force serves the cities of Lebanon, Bourbon, Camdenton, Cuba, Steelville, Owensville, Vienna, Hermann, and Belle.  The task force encompasses five counties with an approximate population of 142,000 residents.  LANEG employs five (5) Task Force Officers and is coordinated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, who supplies two (2) Troopers to the task force.  LANEG focuses its efforts on drug enforcement by conducting both covert and overt narcotics investigations in the counties and cities they serve.

The task force reported the following amounts of drug seizures as a result of its enforcement efforts in the previous quarter (April 1, 2021 – June 30, 2021):

Methamphetamine — 343 grams

Marijuana — 3,945 grams

THC Wax — 156 grams

Pseudoephedrine — 87 grams

Psilocybin Mushrooms — 10 grams

Prescription drugs/pills — 161 doses

Fentanyl — 79 doses

Firearms — 8

During the previous quarter (listed above), LANEG seized, one (1) marijuana grow with one hundred forty (140) plants, served twenty-five (25) search warrants, conducted ten (10) consent searches, and arrested fifty-six (56) individuals on one hundred twenty-nine (129) drug related charges.  In addition, LANEG made three (3) arrest for Possession of Stolen Property, two (2) arrest for Felon in Possession of a firearm, seven (7) warrant arrest, these non-drug related charges include but are not limited to the above fifty-six (56) individuals.

LANEG credits its success to local and surrounding law enforcement agencies’ and the public’s cooperation.  If you have any information regarding a possible methamphetamine laboratory, growing of marijuana, or other information about the distribution of narcotics, please contact your local law enforcement agency or you can call the following toll-free numbers to reach LANEG.  1-800-351-8477 (TIPS).  All callers have the option of remaining anonymous.

Funding for this project made available by the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG), which is administered by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance and the State of Missouri Department of Public Safety.

Governor Mike Parson wants to fight crimes committed against children while also helping out the victims of crime.

Starting August 1^st, the Crimes Against Children/Sex Crimes grant will open, and $2 million dollars will be available to investigate, prosecute and detect crimes against children.

On September 1^st, another $2 million dollars will be available in the Victims of Crime grant that will offer resources to victims of domestic violence and the agencies that serve them.

***Additional info:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 20, 2021

Governor Parson Announces $4 million in New Grant Programs to Combat Crimes Against Children and Provide Additional Support to Crime Victim Service Agencies

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – Governor Mike Parson today announced $4 million in new grant opportunities to combat crimes against children and to provide additional funding to agencies that provide services to crime victims.

“The last two years have created hardships and strained resources across the nation, but the reported rise in crimes affecting children and the difficulties experienced by agencies that provide vital services to crime victims is most concerning,” Governor Parson said. “These new grant programs will allow us to better investigate and prosecute criminals who victimize children and support domestic violence service agencies and child advocacy centers who serve our most vulnerable citizens and help bring criminals to justice.”

A total of $2 million in grant opportunities is being made available to assist local law enforcement and prosecutors to combat crimes against children, which rose in 2020 and 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. An additional $2 million in grant opportunities is being made available to support crime victim service agencies, which have reported increases in service referrals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The two competitive grants will utilize funds previously allocated to Missouri from the federal Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program (CESF). The U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance has approved the reallocation of CESF program funds to meet emergent needs that were not apparent when the CESF opportunity was originally made available. There is no local match required to access the funding. The grants will be administered by the Missouri Department of Public Safety.

The funding opportunity for the Crimes Against Children/Sex Crimes Grant is expected to open August 1, 2021. Projects may include hiring additional staff to investigate, prosecute, and detect crimes against children.

The funding opportunity for the Victims of Crime Grant is expected to open September 1, 2021. Projects may include providing resource assistance to domestic violence service agencies and child advocacy centers and aiding other entities serving victims from vulnerable populations adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Police in Lebanon continue to make arrests for stolen catalytic convertors.

“As our Chief said a week ago, these thieves don’t care about the damage they cause the vehicle or how much it costs the hardworking citizens time and money to correct what they’ve done, but we are going to continue to aggressively pursue these criminals and take them to jail every chance we get” says Sergeant Kacie Springer with Lebanon P.D.

The arrest of 27-year-old Lucas Filson of Waynesville is the latest suspect for catalytic convertor theft in Lebanon, following another arrest last week “We actually had one on July 10th. Officers responded to the 1200 block of West Elm, for a report of suspicious activity. A Laclede County Deputy observed the suspicious activity at another Elm Street business and also contacted us.”

Sergeant Springer tells KRMS News property damage is on the rise in parts of Laclede County and she recommends making sure your parked car is a well-lit area overnight.

Springer says it can take less than 5 minutes for someone with experience to steal a catalytic convertor.

When it comes to making an arrest, suspects often have some kind of tool bag that ends up evidence.

*Additional Info:

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s releasing numbers from the 4^th of July weekend.

The numbers show a mixed bag of arrests, accidents and deaths around Missouri over the weekend.

Troopers report 312 crashes on Missouri roads, and those caused 124 injuries and seven deaths.

But a year ago over the Fourth of July, 15 people died on Missouri roads and more than 600 people were hurt in more than 13-hundred accidents.

On the water, there were 14 boating crashes over the Fourth of July reporting period, but this year that number was down to 12 crashes.

Nobody died in boating crashes on the water in 2020, but there was one death this year.

Two people did drown a year ago while nobody drowned in the Lake Area over this year’s holiday weekend.

More details:

EMPHASIS: MSHP Reports Seven Traffic Fatalities, One Boating Fatality, & No Drownings Over July Fourth Holiday Counting Period

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports the following 2021 July Fourth holiday statistics:

2021 July Fourth Holiday Traffic Statistics

Troopers worked 312 traffic crashes, which included 124 injuries and all seven fatalities. Troopers also made 144 DWI arrests and 81 drug arrests over the holiday weekend.

2021 July Fourth Holiday Boating Statistics

Troopers worked 12 boating crashes, which included four injuries and one fatality. Troopers made eight BWI arrests and 43 drug arrests. There were no drownings over the holiday weekend.

The 2021 July Fourth holiday counting period began at 6 p.m., Friday, July 2, and ended at 11:59 p.m., Monday, July 5, 2021.

[The 2020 July Fourth holiday counting period began at 6 p.m., Thursday, July 2, and ended at 11:59 p.m., Sunday, July 5, 2020. During the 2020 counting period, 15 people were killed and 671 injured statewide in Missouri over the holiday in 1,356 traffic crashes. Troopers arrested 145 people for driving while intoxicated last year. Over the 2020 July Fourth holiday, there were 14 boating crashes, which included seven injuries and zero fatalities. Two drowned during last year’s holiday. Troopers made seven boating while intoxicated arrests during the 2020 counting period.]

Traffic fatalities occurred in the Troop C, Weldon Spring, MO, Troop D, Springfield, MO, Troop F, Jefferson City, MO, and Troop G, Willow Springs, MO, areas. Troopers worked all seven traffic fatalities.

There was one traffic fatality on Friday, July 2, 2021, during the counting period. A 15-year-old female from Norwood, MO, died when the driver of the vehicle in which she was a passenger lost control and the vehicle traveled off the roadway and overturned. The female was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The crash occurred in Wright County on Owens Road north of Norwood, MO. Wright County Coroner Ben Hurtt pronounced the female dead at the scene of the crash. The driver and one other passenger were wearing seat belts; they sustained moderate injuries.

There was one boating fatality on July 3, 2021. The investigation is pending; thus, no further information is available.

Four people died in traffic crashes on July 3, 2021. Robert D. McDermid, 66, of Joplin, MO, died after another vehicle failed to yield and struck McDermid’s vehicle. McDermid was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The crash occurred in Jasper County on Missouri Highway 66 in Duquesne, MO. Dr. Jennifer Kolodchak pronounced McDermid deceased at Mercy Hospital. The driver of the other vehicle was not wearing a seat belt; he sustained moderate injuries.

Shane A. Donty, 46, of Hillsboro, MO, died after walking into the path of a vehicle on Missouri Highway 30 east of Northwest Boulevard in Jefferson County. North Jefferson County Ambulance paramedics pronounced Donty dead at the scene. The driver of the vehicle was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash; he was not injured.

Jeffery A. Smith, 35, of Stover, MO, died when a vehicle turned left in front of the motorcycle he was operating. Smith was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The crash occurred in Morgan County on Missouri Highway 52 west of Stevenson Lane. Deputy Coroner Katy Lutz pronounced Smith dead at the scene. The driver of the vehicle was not wearing a seat belt; he was not injured in the crash.

Anela Ratkusic, 42, of St. Louis, MO, died when another vehicle failed to yield and struck the vehicle in which she was a passenger. Ratkusic was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The crash occurred in St. Francois County on U.S. Highway 67 at Missouri Route Y. Dr. Buchanan pronounced Ratkusic dead at Parkland Health Center. The driver of the vehicle that struck Ratkusic’s vehicle was not wearing a seat belt; he sustained moderate injuries. The driver of the vehicle in which Ratkusic was a passenger was wearing a seat belt; he sustained moderate injuries. Three additional passengers in the vehicle with Ratkusic were wearing seat belts; they each sustained minor injuries in the crash. A passenger in the other vehicle was not wearing a seat belt; he sustained moderate injuries.

Two people died in traffic crashes on July 4, 2021. Storm J. Cooper, 29, of Tampa, FL, died when the vehicle in which he was a passenger failed to stop at a stop sign and was struck by another vehicle. Cooper was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The crash occurred in Greene County on Missouri Highway 266 west of Springfield MO. Medical Examiner Joshua Moore pronounced Cooper dead at the scene. The driver of the vehicle in which Cooper was a passenger was wearing a seat belt; she sustained moderate injuries. The driver of the second vehicle in the crash was wearing a seat belt; he was not injured.

Dorcey R. Folsom, 39, of Buffalo, MO, died after being struck by a vehicle. Folsom was running toward the vehicle at the time of the crash. The crash occurred in Dallas County on Missouri Highway 32 east of Buffalo, MO. Dallas County Coroner Matt Wisdom pronounced Folsom dead at the scene. The driver of the vehicle was wearing a seat belt and was not injured.

Three people from Sedalia are facing charges in what the U-S Department of Justice is calling a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

In a release, the D-O-J says police took close to 30 guns out of a home during the investigation.

23-year-old James Johnson, 36-year-old Amber Lawson and 36-year-old Eric Janes were each indicted in Jeff City by a federal grand jury Wednesday afternoon.

Johnson is facing an additional charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking conspiracy.

Numerous Missouri law enforcement agencies took part in the search warrant June 15^th, including the Sheriff’s Office in Morgan and Pettis County, the Sedalia Police Department and the Mid-Missouri Drug Task Force.

Additional info:

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Three Sedalia, Missouri, residents were indicted by a federal grand jury today for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine after law enforcement officers seized 28 firearms from a residence during the investigation.

James Jacob Johnson, 23, Amber Marie Lawson, 36, and Eric Ryan Janes, 36, were charged in a five-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City, Mo.

Today’s indictment alleges that Johnson, Lawson, and Janes participated in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Pettis County, Mo., from April 1 to June 15, 2021.

In addition to the conspiracy, Johnson is charged with possessing firearms in furtherance of the drug-trafficking conspiracy. Law enforcement officers seized 28 firearms from Johnson’s residence while executing a search warrant on June 15, 2021.

Johnson is also charged with one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and one count of possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute. According to the indictment, those firearms included two AK 47s, a Glock 9mm pistol, a .38-caliber revolver, a Ruger 57, a Tauron PR 24/7 Pro, a Glock 20, a Smith & Wesson MIP 20, a Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380, a Ruger EC9S, a Ruger 89, a Rossi 357, a 44 magnum Ruger, a Springfield Armory Saint .223-caliber rifle, a Chrome Palmetto AR .223, a Keltec Sun 2000 9mm, a Savage 300, a Gold 9mm AR, a Marlin 17, an MCK Roni with Glock 17, a Digmonn 200 blackout, a Smith & Wesson, a Black Dawn 300 blackout, a Typhoon F-12 Gold 12 gauge, a Zastava Arms, an M&P Bodyguard 38 special, and a Smith &Wesson M&P 9C.

Lawson and Janes also are each charged with one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.

This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather D. Richenberger. It was investigated by the Pettis County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Sedalia, Mo., Police Department, the Morgan County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, and the DEA’s Mid Missouri Drug Task Force.

A Missouri Death Row inmate now has an execution date.

Ernest Lee Johnson’s been on death row since 1994, convicted of killing three employees at a Casey’s convenience store in Columbia.

But the Missouri Supreme Court has now set an execution date of October 5^th and 6 pm in Bonne Terre.

Johnson’s attorneys have argued that death by lethal injection would cause extreme pain due to his epilepsy.

But U-S Supreme Court refused to hear his appeal to be executed by firing squad instead.

Court records show the victims, Mary Bratcher, Mable Scruggs and Fred Jones were each killed with a hammer as Johnson robbed the store for drug money

A four-day manhunt for a fugitive is over, and he was found in the Ozarks.

Police in Sedalia say 44-year-old Jason Laird ran away during work release near the Missouri State Fairgrounds last Tuesday.

But then the Ozark County Sheriff’s Office says it got a tip on the pickup truck believed to have been stolen by Laird and they later found him in the woods.

Two other women were arrested over the course of the investigation.
Laird had been serving seven years in the Tipton Correctional Center for burglary, stealing, and other charges – and now there could be others to come.

A Missouri man accused of posing as a teenage boy online to produce child porn is facing charges in Iowa.

The U-S Attorney’s Office is southern Iowa says 44-year-old Chad Craghead of Fulton was creating false identities to get nude images of two minors who are cousins.

In a release, the DOJ says Craghead is a teacher and a coach and he was arrested in Muscatine, Iowa.

Court documents show Craghead had contacted other minors across the country, some as young as 13, in getting more nude pictures.

If convicted, Craghead faces a minimum 15 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years.

Photo by Bill Oxford on Unsplash

The state of Missouri will be adding 53 more public defenders if Governor Mike Parson makes no changes to the upcoming budget for the state’s Public Defender System.

Executive Director Mary Fox tells Missourinet it’s the largest staffing increase for her office since the late 1980s.

Fox also says there were 1-thousand cases on a waiting list for public defender services at the end of May, but when she started with the Public Defender System in January 2020, there were 58-hundred cases on that waiting list.

The 53 new public defenders are expected to reduce the 12-to-15-percent turnover rate now seen in Missouri.

The Missouri Legislature passed the fiscal plan for the new public defenders.

The next state budget for Missouri begins July 1^st.

The Camden County prosecutor wants to move the trial of a man facing first-degree murder charges, among others, to another part of Missouri.

That decision comes after a mistrial on Tuesday because of concerns the jury may have been tainted during the selection process.

“It’s become apparent to everyone that with the media coverage and the publicity of this case, we’re going to have to move it outside the circuit…to give the defendant a chance at a fair trial” says Prosecutor Caleb Cunningham.

He tells KRMS News he’s thinking of moving the trial somewhere in the northern part of Missouri “geographically I will say we are looking someplace FAR away, hours away, northern Missouri maybe…places away from media markets that have covered this case heavily.”

It’s the ninth time the trial has been delayed and it was already moved from Camden County to Laclede County “we’ve spent hundreds and hundreds of hours getting this trial ready…and now we’re going to have to start that jury selection process all over again.”

Steven Endsley is the man accused in the murders of 27-year-old Danielle Smith and her mother, 61-year-old Theresa Jackson.

Prosecutors also say Endsley set the mobile home the two women were living in on fire with the bodies still inside.

Endlsey is due back in court July 6^th and if convicted he’ll spend the rest of his life in prison.

A murder case involving a Camden County man is being delayed yet again.

Steven Endsley is accused of killing 27-year-old Danielle Smith and her mother, 61-year-old Theresa Jackson, almost five years ago.

“The prosecuting advocate called me and said…I’m sorry, there was a mistrial. Somebody spoke up during jury selection and tainted the whole entire jury” says Danielle’s sister, Heather Smith.

She tells our news partner, KY 3 TV, that she believes her sister’s life was taken, because she was gay “27-years-old….she didn’t even get a chance, she was trying so hard to make a life for herself and when she finally started to get somewhere….he took it. He took it, everything…from her and from us.”

Endsley was charged with two counts of first-degree murder back in 2016 and his trial was set to begin Monday.

It was changed from Camden County to Laclede County, but now prosecutors say they will have to find another venue further away from the area.

Heather Smith says it’s extremely frustrating and upsetting, but she’s happy that they’re doing things the proper way “knowing that they’re trying to do it the right way is a bit more comforting, but it’s still frustrating regardless.”

A new date for the trial has been set for July 6^th but the new venue has not yet been selected and further changes could come as a result of it.

Police need your help in finding a missing Crawford County man.

The Sheriff’s office says 20-year-old Albert Barton was last seen on June 6 by family members.

He is described as a 5’7″ white man with brown hair and blue eyes.

An investigation is underway in his disappearance, and deputies say his disappearance is suspicious in nature.

They are looking for two persons of interest in the case as well, 20-year-old Beau Dyer and 50-year-old Eric Ray.

Authorities believe the two may be driving a black 2010 Ford Escape.

Additional Details:

A former certified public accountant from Lebanon is headed to federal prison.

47 year old Douglas Richardson was found guilty of running a Ponzi scheme that ran for a decade.

He was convicted of defrauding dozens of people from across the country for $12 million dollars.

Richardson was ordered to pay more than $8.8 million dollars to his victims and he’ll spend 188 months in prison with no parole.

Here’s the details directly from the Press Release:

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A former certified public accountant in Lebanon, Missouri, was sentenced in federal court today for engaging in a $12 million scheme to defraud dozens of victims across the United States.

Douglas A. Richardson, 47, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 188 months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Richardson to pay $8,832,830 in restitution to his victims.

On Nov. 7, 2019, Richardson was found guilty at trial of all 10 counts of a federal indictment that included six counts of wire fraud and four counts of money laundering.

Richardson, a certified public accountant until his license was revoked, engaged in a decade-long Ponzi scheme. The government presented evidence at today’s sentencing hearing that Richardson defrauded numerous victims across the United States out of a total of approximately $12 million. As a part of this scheme, Richardson knowingly fleeced several elderly victims out of most, if not all, of their retirement savings.

Richardson used the proceeds of the scheme to support a lavish lifestyle that included a $1 million home, regular family vacations to Disney World, and such purchases as a 2016 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray valued at over $102,000, two motorhomes (one of which was valued at $325,000), a Dodge Challenger Hellcat, three Harley Davidson motorcycles, a Jeep Wrangler, and a 2015 Chevrolet Suburban valued at over $50,000.

Richardson owned his own company, Douglas A. Richardson, CPA, LLC. He was the former chief financial officer, treasurer, and CPA of Smart Prong Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, from December 2013 to June 2016. Smart Prong developed technology and manufactured devices for charging cell phones.

Richardson engaged in a scheme to defraud Smart Prong and several of the clients of his CPA firm from February 2014 to October 2016. Richardson transferred at least $4.4 million from Smart Prong bank accounts into his personal and business bank accounts. Richardson also solicited loans from several clients and induced them to make investments. Richardson made representations to these clients that he knew were false, in that he told them their loans and investments would be used for a certain purpose. In reality, Richardson used at least part of the money for his personal benefit, and to pay other individuals (including prior investors and others to whom he owed money).

For example, Richardson solicited one of his clients to participate in a promissory note program through which the client could earn money from interest on loans he and Richardson would enter into for the purpose of investments. Richardson claimed the loans would be used to provide funding for a real estate deal and an automobile dealership. The client loaned Richardson $365,000 from his business, which Richardson used to repay $230,000 to another individual for unrelated loans, to pay $72,704 to pay off the Chevrolet Corvette, and to issue a $7,500 check to himself.

Evidence at today’s sentencing hearing revealed an even larger fraud scheme that involved more victims over a longer period of time.

Richardson began his fraud scheme after his excavation company failed. In an attempt to recoup his money from the failed business and support his lavish lifestyle, he began the Ponzi scheme whereby he “borrowed” money under the guise of investments from individuals to pay back other individuals, while also taking a cut from the loan and/or investment proceeds for himself. Over the course of the next decade, Richardson executed his scheme, moving money from one creditor to the next, all the while misrepresenting what the loan/investment proceeds would be used for and taking some of the proceeds for himself, unbeknownst to his lenders.

The government also presented evidence at today’s sentencing hearing that Richardson continued his fraud scheme even Richardson defrauded one victim out of approximately $97,650 while awaiting sentencing. Richardson obtained $800 from a victim’s bank account during his jury trial without the victim’s knowledge and consent.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey Clark and Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the FBI, and the Missouri Securities Division.

An investigation’s underway in Jeff City after an officer-involved shooting.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says police pulled over a Chevy SUV Monday because of expired tags.

But investigators say 32-year-old Clay Willingham of Moberly pulled a rifle as officers walked up to the SUV.

Police say they ordered Willingham to drop the rifle, but he failed to do so.

Investigators say officers opened fire and Willingham was shot and killed.

At the request of the Jefferson City Police Department, the Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control is now handling the investigation.

We’ll pass along more details on the story when they’re available.

Sheriff Tony Helms

The Camden County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation of a shooting death at a popular Lake Area pool bar over Memorial Day weekend.

As of right now, investigators are combing through numerous leads after 27-year old Vonza Watson of Jeff City was shot and killed at Lazy Gators Saturday night.

“There are some out there from different agencies and now we’re brining it all together, and we’ve found out now there are a few more people we need to interview. And again, we’re looking at a lot of videos” says Sheriff Tony Helms.

He tells KRMS News he’d like to get more video from anybody who was at Lazy Gators Saturday night.

Three people were taken into custody after the shooting, but Sheriff Helms says two have been released “we have developed a few more leads, and right now we’re running those downs. Specifically we’re trying to locate a person of interest…when they left, where they left and where they went to.”

The Sheriff’s Office confirms 29-year-old Chad Brewer is now facing drug charges after investigators say they found baggies of what later tested positive for cocaine.

Sheriff Helms says more charges could be coming, and we’ll pass along details on that when possible on News / Talk KRMS.

The Missouri Supreme Court is rejecting a Laclede County death row inmate’s appeal.

According to the Associated Press, Lebanon resident Jesse Driskill was arguing that he received “ineffective counsel” and that “prosecutors withheld important evidence” during his trial.

Driskill was sentenced to death in the killing of 82-year-old Johnnie Wilson and 76-year-old Coleen Wilson at their Lebanon Home on the 59^th wedding anniversary.

It happened after they confronted Driskill during a burglary of their home on July 26^th, 2010.

Driskill appealed several issues with his defense attorneys, including examples that his attorney failed to call witnesses on contamination of DNA evidence or submitting information on his mental health state.

The court ruled the findings were not “clearly erroneous” and upheld the detail of post-conviction relief for Driskill.

North of the Lake Area, a Columbia police officer is pleading guilty in connection to the death a child.

Andrea Heese entered her plea Tuesday morning.

She’s accused of running over a four-year-old at a local high school when she drove her squad car onto a side walk.

Heese is pleading guilty to careless and imprudent driving, but she was initially charged with involuntary manslaughter.

Heese could be facing up to a year in jail.

With a busy weekend ahead for the Lake Area, MoDOT’s teaming up with local law enforcement for the annual ‘Click It or Ticket’ campaign.

“Click it or Ticket is something we do every year, and really it’s just something we do to raise awareness about the importance of wearing your seatbelt” says John Nelson with MoDOT.

He tells KRMS News that if everyone driving in Missouri would buckle up every time they get into a car, around 240 lives would be saved each year “after all these years it remains the number 1 thing anyone can do to increase their odds of surviving a crash.”

Nelson also says there’s another campaign happening called ‘Show Me Zero,’ which targets distracted driving, impaired driving and speeding.

***Additional Info***

Buckle Up – Every Trip, Every Time

Click It or Ticket reminds everyone to buckle up.

JEFFERSON CITY – Longer days and warmer weather mean summer fun is almost here. As you gear up for a weekend excursion, or maybe even a road trip with family and friends, make sure everyone in the vehicle is buckled up for every trip.

The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety is joining with state and local law enforcement May 24 – June 6 in the national “Click It or Ticket” enforcement campaign to highlight the importance of buckling up. Along with wearing a seat belt, they want to remind motorists to slow down, put the phone down and never drive impaired.

“The simplest action that can save lives on Missouri roadways is an increase in seat belt use,” said Jon Nelson, chair to the executive committee. “If we all made it a point to buckle up every time we get in a vehicle, an estimated 240 lives could be saved each year in our state. There are simply too many risks to not do so. We never know when we might encounter another driver who is traveling too fast, distracted, or impaired.”

For 2020, preliminary data indicates 428 individuals killed in Missouri traffic crashes were not wearing their seat belt. It is the highest number of unbuckled fatalities in Missouri during the last 5 years and an 18% increase from the year before. Seat belt use in Missouri has consistently risen over the last two decades, but in 2020, that momentum was stopped.

“Last year was challenging in many ways, and that was certainly true on our roadways,” said Nelson. “We’re hopeful this campaign will remind all Missourians there are simple things we can all do to save lives. Seat belt use is at the top of the list.”

Missouri’s new strategic highway safety plan, Show-Me Zero, Driving Missouri Toward Safer Roads, identifies four key focus areas to help reduce traffic deaths, including the importance of seat belts, car seats, and motorcycle helmets. Other focus areas in the plan include distracted driving, speeding and impaired driving. For more information on the Show-Me Zero plan, and to check out the Coalition’s new video promoting the plan, visit www.savemolives.com.

It’s a major breakthrough for the Pulaski County Sheriff’s office as a “Jane Doe” case that has been under investigation since 1981 has finally been solved.

Officials say that body has been identified as Karen Kay Knippers, a victim of an apparent homicide.

Deputies say they found the Knippers body at a low water crossing in May of 1981, but were unable to identify the body and thus she was buried with the name “Jane Doe.”

Detectives say they were able to enter her DNA information into a national database for missing and unidentified persons.

In order to get the DNA, the Sheriff’s office had to exhume the body and send the samples to the University of Texas center for Human Identification and Forensic Anthropology.

In 2016 the school released their findings and in 2019, the data was submitted to the DNA Doe Project in California, where they were able to trace it back to Knipper’s brother, who’s DNA was an exact match.

***Full Details From Sheriff’s Office***

Pulaski County Jane Doe identified after 40 years, to the day.

Pulaski County Missouri – The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office and the DNA Doe Project announce the identity of a woman whose body was discovered on 25 May 1981 at a low water crossing near Dixon, MO. the victim of an apparent homicide.

After authorities were unable to identify the woman or any details involving her death she was buried in the Waynesville Cemetery in a grave marked “Jane Doe.”

In 2012, Lt. Dottie Taylor, Missouri Highway Patrol, Troop I, entered Jane Doe’s profile in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. Detective DJ Renno of the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office became interested in the case and requested approval to relook at the case. Approval was given by Sheriff JB King in 2012 to reopen the case. Sheriff Ronald Long and current Sheriff Jimmy Bench continued the investigation throughout the years searching for answers.

In 2015 Detective Renno, and Pulaski County Coroner Mikel Hartness with the concurrence of Sheriff Ron Long obtained a court order for the exhumation of Jane Doe’s remains to obtain DNA for use in identification.

The exhumation was conducted on 25 May 2015 with the help and assistance of numerous individuals and organizations including members of the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office, Coroner Mikel Hartness, Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Hillman, members of Waynesville City Hall, Waynesville Fire Department, Dan Cordry excavation service, Mr. Mark Beary (Anthropologist), members of the Waynesville Memorial Chapel, and police departments within the county.

In June 2015 the remains were transported to the University of North Texas, Center for Human Identification, Fort Worth TX. for DNA and Forensic Anthropology testing.

In January 2016 An Anthropology report was received on the remains.

In March 2016 a report was received that the extraction and development of DNA was successful.

In May 2016 Jane Doe’s remains were sent to the University of South Florida for forensic Imaging and Isotope analysis.

In January 2017 a report identifying the results from Isotope testing was received.

In April 2019 Jane Doe’s remains were submitted to the DNA Doe Project, in Sebastopol CA. The DNA Doe Project is a volunteer organization using Genetic Genealogy to identify relatives through DNA research.

December 2019 The DNA Doe Project provided a possible name of Jane Doe and the Name of a possible relative (candidate).

In January 2020 – Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office located a candidate (possible relative) in Alexandria VA. The candidate informed Detective Renno that he did have a sister that the family had lost contact with in the early 1980’s. The candidate (possible relative) agreed to provide a DNA sample for comparison / confirmation. The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office in coordination with the regional managers of the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NaMUS) and the Alexandria VA, Detective unit to obtain a DNA sample. The DNA sample was obtained and submitted to NaMUS at the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification for the development and comparison of DNA.

In May 2021 – The genetic data obtained from Pulaski County Jane Doe and the candidate were entered into the Unidentified Human remains and relatives of Missing Persons indices of the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) and association between these samples were noted to be 19.4 million times more likely to be the biological sibling (Pulaski County (Dixon) Jane Doe) and of the candidate (possible relative) as opposed to originate from an unrelated individual.

Bottom Line: We now know the name of Pulaski County (Dixon) Jane Doe is
Karen Kay Knippers.

A recent survey by Safewise.com is ranking the safest cities in Missouri.

In the Lake Area, Eldon was the safest falling in at 68th on their list….while places like Camdenton came in at 95th and Osage Beach was last at 108th.

Andrew Hull with Safewise.com tells KRMS News how they came up with the ranking for Osage Beach “The violent crime was 5.4 incidents per 1,00o residents in Osage Beach. The property crime rate was 61.5 incidents per 1,000 residents.”

Waynesville came in at 67th, Jefferson City was 69th, Lebanon was 93rd, St. Robert was 105th and Sedalia was 107th.

The safest city in the state was Clever, MO near Springfield while the worst was St. Louis.

You can see the full list here: https://www.safewise.com/blog/safest-cities-missouri/#list

A woman is dead in the northern Missouri town of Harris after she was attacked by a cow.

The Sullivan County Coroner says Jane Heisey and her husband were trying to put an ear tag on a calf.

But investigators say that’s when the mother cow knocked Heisey to the ground and stepped on her head.

Heisey was pronounced dead at the scene and there’s no word on the status of the cow.

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

If you’re planning a protest anywhere in the Lake Area or Missouri, you may soon be facing a felony charge if you take that protest to the street or highway.

The Missouri House passed a bill that would make it a felony to repeatedly block traffic without permission.

One Republican State Senator says the idea is to keep protestors and drivers safe, but a Democrat State Representative says lawmakers need to address the root issues that encourage protestors to block traffic.

The legislation also requires full-sentences to be served for people convicted of attacking police, firefighters or other first responders.

There are now eight new names on the Missouri Law Enforcement Wall of Honor.

“This year we’re adding the names from last year, and seven historical names” says Mike O’Connell with the Missouri Department of Public Safety, “the founders of this decided we wanted to have a state memorial, to all of those who risk their lives on a daily basis…and ultimately suffered the ultimate consequences of their service.”

He tells KRMS News one of those names added to the wall Saturday was Lebanon police officer Kendle Blackburn, who died of COVID-19 in December.

The ceremony took place on the grounds of the state Capitol.

Missouri Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe and Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt were both speakers at the event.

***Press Release***

At annual ceremony, Missouri law enforcement community honors state’s officers who made ultimate sacrifice
Names of 8 officers who died in the line of duty in 2020 were added to Law Enforcement Memorial, along with 7 recently confirmed historical deaths

JEFFERSON CITY – Six Missouri law enforcement officers and two corrections officers who died in the line of duty in between in 2020 were honored today during Missouri’s annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service for those who have paid the ultimate price for their service protecting their fellow Missourians.

Officers, their families and friends from across the state gathered as the service returned to the Missouri Law Enforcement Memorial on the grounds to the state Capitol, after being held virtually last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In addition to the officers who died in 2020, the names of seven law enforcement officers whose historical line of duty deaths were recently confirmed were also added to the memorial’s Wall of Honor.

Missouri Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe and Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt each delivered remarks at the memorial service.

“The names on this wall were husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, aunts and uncles, and sons and daughters,” said Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe. “Today, we remember them. Today, we offer condolences for those for whom the grief of loss is still very raw and real. Today, we etch their names into this monument to ensure their sacrifice is never forgotten. Today, we see an earthly example of the promise of Scripture in the book of John, 15:13: ‘that no greater love hath any man than this, that he lay down his life for a friend.’”

“The brave men and women of law enforcement wake up each morning, put on their uniform, and say goodbye to their family and loved ones, not knowing if they’ll return at the end of the day,” From Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt said. “Law enforcement officers face unknown risks and danger every day, and sometimes, tragically, make the ultimate sacrifice in their commitment to keeping the communities they love safe. It’s imperative that we continue to honor and remember that sacrifice.”

Each year, the families of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty the previous year, and through the decades, participate in the ceremony by placing white carnations in a wreath in honor of Missouri’s fallen heroes.

On Friday, April 30, a candlelight vigil was held at the memorial in remembrance of all Missouri law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice. Governor Mike Parson ordered that the Capitol dome and Law Enforcement Memorial to be lighted blue on Friday night in honor of fallen law enforcement officers.

The following law enforcement officer’s names were added to the memorial wall this year:

Christopher Ryan Walsh
End of Watch: March 16, 2020
Rank: Officer
Department: Springfield Police Department
Cause: Gunshot
Age: 32
Years of Service: 3 years, 6 months

On March 16, 2020, Officer Christopher Walsh was shot and killed when he and another officer confronted an active shooter at a convenience store.

Andy Deric Clark
End of Watch: June 3, 2020
Rank: Sheriff
Department: DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office
Cause: Vehicle Crash
Age: 43
Years of Service: 22 years

Sheriff Andy Clark was killed in a vehicle crash near Osborn, Mo. while responding to assist a deputy in an emergency situation.

Tamarris L. Bohannon
End of Watch: Aug. 30, 2020
Rank: Officer
Department: St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department
Cause: Gunshot
Age: 29
Years of Service: 3 years, 6 months

Police Officer Tamarris Bohannon passed away on Aug. 30, 2020 after succumbing to a gunshot wound he suffered the night before when he and another officer were ambushed as they responded to a shooting call in the Tower Grove South neighborhood.

Rick A. Groves
End of Watch: Oct. 16, 2020
Rank: Assistant Chief
Department: Kennett Police Department
Cause: COVID-19
Age: 69
Years of Service: 38 years

Assistant Chief Rick Groves passed away after contracting COVID-19 as a result of his law enforcement service to the Kennett Police Department.

Richard Allen Wright
End of Watch: Nov. 19, 2020
Rank: Corrections Officer
Department: Missouri Department of Corrections
Cause: COVID-19
Age: 61
Years of Service: 15 years

Corrections Officer Richard Wright died on Nov. 19, 2020 after contracting COVID-19 as a result of his service as a corrections officer. He served at the Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Vandalia.

Dwight Eugene Willis
End of Watch: Nov. 22, 2020
Rank: Detention Officer
Department: Greene County Sheriff’s Office
Cause: COVID-19
Age: 56
Years of Service: 19 years

Detention Officer Dwight Willis passed away on Nov. 22, 2020 after contracting COVID-19 as a result of his service as a detention officer.

Herschel Turner Jr.
End of Watch: Dec. 5, 2020
Rank: Sergeant
Department: Moline Acres Police Department
Cause: Vehicle Crash
Age: 54
Years of Service: 22 Years

On Dec. 5, 2020, Sergeant Herschel Turner and a Bellefontaine Neighbors Police Department officer had stopped a stolen vehicle. Sergeant Turner was fatally struck by the vehicle of another officer arriving at the scene to provide assistance that swerved to avoid striking a vehicle and unintentionally struck Sergeant Turner.

Kendle Glen Blackburn
End of Watch: Dec. 28, 2020
Rank: Patrolman
Department: Lebanon Police Department
Cause: COVID-19
Age: 55
Years of Service: 21 Years

On Dec. 28, 2020, Lebanon Patrolman Kendle Blackburn died after contracting COVID-19 as a result of his law enforcement service.

Recently Confirmed Historical Line-of-Duty Deaths

Albert Kopf
End of Watch: Sept. 3, 1907
Rank: Marshal
Department: City of Pacific
Cause: Gunshot
Age: 32

City Marshal Albert Kopf, who had only been serving as acting city marshal for just 10 days, was fatally shot in the chest by a homeless man after responding to a call from a woman about a disturbance at the woman’s home. He managed to return fire and struck his assailant with one shot. Marshal Kopf succumbed to his wound three days later, on Sept. 3, 1907.

John W. Burns
End of Watch: April 21, 1922
Rank: Marshal
Department: City of Lathrop
Cause: Gunshot
Age: 55
Years of Service: 9 years

City Marshal John W. Burns was fatally shot on April 21, 1922 in a gun battle with five men who had attempted to rob him at gunpoint as he performed his duties.

William E. Griffin
End of Watch: June 10, 1923
Rank: Patrolman
Department: St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department
Cause: Gunshot
Age: 24
Years of Service: 4 years

Patrolman William E. Griffin was shot several times and killed on June 10, 1923 after responding to an armed robbery at the Telegraph Inn, which was located in St. Louis County.

David W. Waymire
End of Watch: March 13, 1927
Rank: Marshal
Department: City of Crane
Cause: Gunshot
Age: 62

Marshal David W. Waymire was shot as he attempted to arrest a man wanted for automobile theft two miles west of Crane. He died as a result of his wounds days later, on March 13, 1927.

S. Dent Owen
End of Watch: Jan. 3, 1929
Rank: Marshal
Department: Monroe City
Cause: Vehicle Accident
Age: 37

On Jan. 3, 1929, Marshal S. Dent Owen died from injuries he sustained in a head-on collision on Highway 36 while driving a vehicle that had been stolen and that he had recovered during an investigation.

James E. Tines
End of Watch: Sept. 9, 1933
Rank: Special Agent
Department: St. Louis – San Francisco Railway Police
Cause: Gunshot
Age: 50

On Sept. 9, 1933, Special Agent James E. Tines was fatally shot three times after being targeted by two armed robbers while he was on duty near Springfield.

Herman E. Weirich
End of Watch: Feb. 12, 1946
Rank: Marshal
Department: City of Sullivan
Cause: Car Accident
Age: 59
Years of Service: 20 years

On Feb. 12, 1946, City of Sullivan Marshal Herman E. Weirich died, four days after the vehicle he was traveling in while on duty was struck by a train.

A former Youth Director at Fort Leonard Wood is pleading guilty to sexually abusing four children over several years at the base.

The Army National Guard officer, 42-year-old David McKay of Waynesville, entered his plea before a US judge earlier this week.

He worked as the youth ministry director for the Religious Services office and officials say his victims ranged from 11 to 17 years old between 2010 and 2017.

The testimony submitted indicated the abuse took place at the base, as well as other locations in Pulaski County and on a Ski trip to Colorado.

Under federal statutes, McKay faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole, and up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole.

***Press Release***

Former Youth Director at Fort Leonard Wood Pleads Guilty to Child Sexual Abuse

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – An Army National Guard officer pleaded guilty in federal court today to sexually abusing four minors over several years while he was director of the youth ministry at Fort Leonard Wood U.S. Army Base.

David J. McKay, 42, of Waynesville, Missouri, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to one count of transporting a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity and four counts of sexually abusing a minor.

McKay, an Army National Guard Major Sergeant, was the youth ministry director for the Religious Services Office at Fort Leonard Wood. By pleading guilty today, McKay admitted that he sexually abused four victims, ranging in age from 11 to 17 years old, on dozens of occasions from 2010 to 2017.

According to today’s plea agreement, the sexual abuse occurred at Fort Leonard Wood and various other locations within Pulaski County, Mo. The victims also reported being abused during the youth group’s ski trips to Colorado and on camping trips at Fort Leonard Wood.

Under federal statutes, McKay is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by the FBI, the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command at the Fort Leonard Wood Army Base, the Pulaski County, Mo., Prosecutor’s Office, and the Waynesville, Mo., Police Department.

Project Safe Childhood

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”

A massive drug take-down has taken place in Benton and Morgan Counties.

According to the Benton County Sheriff’s office, 4 different organizations worked this multi-county take-down, which resulted in 9 arrests.

Officials say over 500 grams of Methamphetamine, 15 illegal firearms and numerous prescription narcotics were sized in the raids.

You can see the full arrest list below:

Police in Fulton are asking for your help in finding a woman missing since April 21^st.

Investigators say 25-year-old Tori Taylor borrowed a car from a friend who lives in Fulton, but she was supposed to return the car the next day and she has not done that.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says Taylor is not responding to phone calls or texts and she’s not active on social media.

Tori Taylor is a white female with brown hair and green eyes. She’s 5-2 and weighs around a hundred pounds.

***Additional Info***