SPRINGFIELD – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced last week that a Springfield woman has pleaded guilty in federal court to her role in a fraudulent tax return preparation scheme that claimed nearly $340,000 in fraudulent income tax refunds.

Amanda Leigh Boyd, 33, of Springfield, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush on Thursday, Sept. 17, to three counts of making false claims.

Co-defendant Cherie Christine Dupuis, 43, of Springfield, pleaded guilty on July 21, 2015, to leading the fraudulent tax return preparation conspiracy. Dupuis admitted that she and co-conspirators defrauded the government by filing false claims for income tax refunds from February 2009 to March 2012. In the false and fraudulent federal income tax returns they prepared and filed, conspirators claimed refunds from the IRS totaling approximately $340,630, of which approximately $336,839 was false.   Over the course of the scheme, the total actual tax loss to the IRS was $284,169.

Dupuis admitted that she filed fraudulent federal income tax returns in her own name and for at least 19 other individuals. Dupuis would usually split the fraudulent refunds with her co-conspirators. The total amount of the false claims Dupuis personally prepared and/or filed was approximately $298,708, with approximately $256,281 being paid on these false claims and a loss to the government of approximately $213,711.

Boyd admitted that she aided and abetted Dupuis, and was aided and abetted by Dupuis, in the filing of false federal income tax returns with the IRS for the 2009, 2010 and 2011 tax years. Boyd claimed tax refunds to which she knew she was not entitled. Boyd provided her personal information to Dupuis, which Dupuis then used to file false income tax returns that falsely listed wages that had not been earned and federal income tax withholdings that had not been withheld. As a result, Boyd fraudulently received a total of $29,409 in fraudulent income tax refunds and she paid approximately half of that amount to Dupuis.

Boyd is the 10th  defendant to plead guilty to her role in the scheme. In addition to Dupuis, co-defendants Johnny L. Cooper, 28, and Jeannie Marie Rhodes, 34, both of Springfield; Heather Nicole Drennen, 32, of Cameron, Mo., formerly of Springfield; Shawna Marie Hughey, 37, of Joplin, Mo., formerly of Springfield; William J. Coonce, 29, of Otterville, Mo.; Jeannette R. Dunn, 48, of Huntsville, Ark., formerly of Springfield; Asia Michelle Couchman, 26, of Oak Grove, Mo.; and Delbert L. Allen, 37, of Pleasant Hope, Mo., formerly of Springfield, have also pleaded guilty.

Under federal statutes, Boyd is subject to a sentence of up to 15 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $750,000 and an order of restitution. 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 Steven M. Mohlhenrich. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.

Audit shows former clerk defrauded court and falsified records 

JEFFERSON CITY, MO (Dec. 16, 2015) –– Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway today released an audit of the City of Carl Junction Municipal Court, located in Jasper County. The audit has uncovered at least $65,373 in missing funds. The audit was requested by city officials after the municipal court judge found discrepancies in a case file and raised concerns regarding the conduct of the former court clerk. City officials continue to work with local law enforcement to pursue criminal prosecution related to the missing funds.

“The former court clerk took advantage of her position to defraud the people of Carl Junction, and when those in positions of public trust abuse their power, they must be held accountable,” Auditor Galloway said. “In addition to pursuing criminal charges, local leaders have also taken steps to address the underlying issues that allowed this fraud to go undetected, and my audit includes additional recommendations to prevent this kind of misconduct in the future.

The audit found at least $65,373 in payments to the court that were received by the former court clerk, but never deposited into court bank accounts. This includes more than $19,000 in cash bonds collected by the police department. Significant weaknesses in accounting procedures and inadequate oversight of court operations allowed this misconduct to go unnoticed for years. Inadequate record-keeping, files that appear to be intentionally disorganized, and discrepancies between documents found in the municipal court office and amounts recorded in the court’s system lead auditors to believe there is potentially another $30,000 missing.

Auditors also found issues with the municipal court’s electronic data security policies. The former court clerk and a city employee shared the same username and password to enter court receipts into the computer system. In addition, employees were not required to periodically change their passwords, a process that helps ensure passwords remain known only to the user.

The audit, which includes a performance rating of “poor,” is online http://app.auditor.mo.gov/AuditReports/CitzSummary.aspx?id=435

The City of Carl Junction Municipal Court is part of the 29^th Judicial Circuit.

During December Circuit Court Law Day, the following defendant was sentenced to the Mis­souri Department of Corrections:

Cassondra S. Lamb, 39, of Ava, received a seven-year sentence for Possession of Methamphetamine. Lamb will be eligible for parole after one year upon completion of the Long Term Drug Treatment Program offered by the Department of Corrections. This sentence will run concurrent with a case from Christian County where Lamb had previously pled guilty. The offense occurred in February of 2015 and was investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department.

Residents may keep up to date with weekly information on the criminal justice system in Douglas County on Facebook at Douglas County Prosecuting Attorney.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Department hit the ground running to start the new year.

On Jan. 1, Sheriff Chris Degase and Deputy Taylor Wallace conducted a traffic stop on Highway K that resulted in arrrests.

Michael Royston, Seymour, was arrested on multiple warrants and cited for DWI.

Deputy Gabe Stroud also conducted a traffic stop just minutes into the New Year, as well, on County Road 509.  As a result of this traffic stop Anna Marie Davis, Mansfield, was arrested and cited for DWI.

Henry

On Jan. 1, Corporal Nathan Long and Deputy Wallace stopped a vehicle in the Signal parking lot with multiple people inside. Two of those individuals, Bradly J. (B.J.) Henry and Cassie Mincks, were arrested.  Both were still being held in the Douglas County Jail at last report.

Henry is charged with two felony counts for possession of controlled substance, Class D felony resisting/interfering with arrest for a felony, and misdemeanor unlawful use of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $20,000, 10 percent cash or surety bond.

Mincks

Mincks was arrested on a probation violation warrant with no bond set, plending a hearing.

On the evening of Jan. 2,  K-9 Yadi made a positive hit on a car located at Gentry Roadside Park north of Ava. As a result, Deputy Stroud and Deputy Wallace arrested two subjects out of Arkansas.

The subjects were found to be in possession of methamphetamine and a large quantity of drug paraphernalia.  Both subjects are currently being held in the Douglas County Jail.

Warrants were obtained for felony possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), misdemeanor possession of up to 35 grams marijuana, and misdemeanor unlawful use of drug paraphernalia for both subjects.

Ross

Rains

The two were identified as Stacy Ross and Ross Rains, both out of Arkansas, and both are being held on a $20,000, 10 percent cash or surety bond.

During the week of Jan. 4-10 the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department has answered 95 Calls for Service and has arrested 12 subjects. There are currently 19 subjects incarcerated in the Douglas County Jail and one being held out of county.

On Monday, Jan. 4, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department assisted with Active Shooter Training at Ava Victory Academy.  Instructors, school staff, and deputies all continue to strive to keep our children safe.

On Wednesday, Jan. 6, Sheriff Degase and Deputy Taylor Wallace attempted a check on a probation client, Jesse Jennings, 24, in the Z Highway area, that had failed to make contact with his officer.

Previous attempts had been made by Probation and Parole to contact Jennings, and each time Jennings fled to avoid speaking with them resulting in a probation violation to be issued for Jennings.

Upon arrival by Sheriff Degase and Deputy Wallace they attempted to make contact. Sheriff Degase and Deputy Wallace could hear someone inside attempting to hide and called for them to come outside. Sheriff Degase secured the back of the residence with Deputy Wallace securing the front, while again calling for Jennings to come outside the residence.

Jennings appeared in a window near the back along with a female subject and a small child. The female and small child were advised to immediately exit the front of the residence, which they did.

After a short time Jennings also made his way out the front of the residence where he was placed under arrest.  Jennings is currently in the Douglas County Jail on a probation violation warrant and  charges are pending for possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) which was found on Jennings and inside the residence.

On Friday, Jan. 8, Sheriff Degase, Deputy Gabe Stroud, and K9 Yadi visited the Ava Elementary 3rd grade classes.

The 3rd grade classes had been reading about different kinds of helping animals, especially police dogs. They were able to give the 3rd graders a first-hand account of what Yadi does and his specific jobs at the Sheriff’s Department and helping other agencies.  Thank you to the 3rd grade teachers, students, and Ava Elementary administration for the opportunity for Yadi to come in and help with a little classroom learning.

Telephone scams, such as the IRS scam seem to be cropping up again.  We have several phone calls here at the office and a recent news story aired on television regarding this scam.

As always, do not give out any personal information over the phone. The IRS will not contact you by phone.  It will normally be by mail or via your tax preparer.

If you do have a warrant we will not contact you by phone, and most likely no other agency will either. These are generally scare tactics to get you to provide them with information that they can use in an attempt to get your money.

Any information given to these people can help  assist them in accessing a great deal of personal information that can cause you a great deal of problems in the future. If they leave a message on your phone, do not call back. Sometimes this can result in your phone line being charged without your knowledge. There are a few steps that you can take in order to keep yourself from being taken advantage of:

• Never give out personal information over the phone.

• If you make a mistake and give the caller information that you believe to be in any way compromising, call your bank and advise them to watch for any suspicious activity on your account.

Monitor your monthly bank statement and any online banking activity. Also monitor your credit report. Look for accounts opened in your name that were not authorized by you, or any other strange activity that you’re not familiar with or aware of.

If you notice anything strange or that does not match up with your information immediately call the reporting agency and file a dispute which will be investigated. If you receive information that indeed someone has fraudulently used your information or accessed your account bring your paperwork and any statements that you may have to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office where we will do our part to help your resolve this situation.

• Call 1-866-No Call or 1-(866-662-2551) to register your phone, cell phones included, on the Missouri No Call List established through the Missouri Attorney General’s Office.

• If you are already registered and get a call like this, take down the number that is calling (if you have caller ID or off of your answering machine) and call 1-866-buzzoff or 1-(866-289-9633). This number will take you to the Missouri Attorney General’s Office who will be able to log the information and get that number on the No Call List.

• If the number persistently calls your residence you can block the number. On a land line phone you can block up to 12 numbers, including not available or not provided numbers. This can be done by dialing *60 on your phone and following the instructions.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact the office at 417-683-1020.

Sheriff Chris Degase

During the January Circuit Court Law Day, two defendants were sentenced to the Missouri Department of Corrections, according to information released this week by the office of Prosecuting Attorney Chris Wade.

Cory Turney, 22, of Mansfield, received a three-year sentence for possession of methamphetamine after his probation was revoked by the court. Turney admitted to violating his probation by not reporting to his probation officer as directed.

The offense occurred in March of 2013 and was investigated by the Ava Police Department.

Cassie Mincks, 27, of Mansfield, was ordered by the court to serve a 120 day shock incarceration based on violation reports from Probation and Parole. Mincks is on probation for tampering with a motor vehicle, 1st degree.

Once the incarceration is completed, Mincks will continue on supervised probation.

You can keep up to date with weekly information on the criminal justice system in Douglas County on Facebook at Douglas County Prosecuting Attorney.

An Ozark County man has been arrested for making a bomb threat at an Ava business.

Charged with the Class D felony of making a false bomb threat is Anthoni P. Rutherford, 26, of Thornfield.

Ava Police Chief Reggie Johnson said the police department received a call Monday afternoon of a possible bomb at Ava Drug Store on West Washington Avenue.

Officers spoke with the manager of the store who said employees had found a note that said,  “bomb BOOM BOOM.”

“With the help of the store’s good surveillance camera system we were able to identify that there was not a bomb in the store,” Johnson said. By reviewing the surveillance video, officers were able to watch the suspect come into the building and leave the building, and watched him place the note under the back door.

The suspect was identified and later arrested in Ozark County by the Ozark County Sheriff’s Department.

Ava Police Cpl. Tim Stuart filed the probable cause affidavit with the Douglas County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and obtained the warrant for Rutherford’s arrest.

The suspect was transported back to the Ava Police Department and is now being held in the Douglas County Jail on $10,000 bond.

Rutherford is also charged with Class D felony damage to jail/jail property.

“I want to thank all the employees of Ava Drug for helping to identify the suspect, (Ozark County) Sheriff Darrin Reed and his staff for apprehending the suspect, the Missouri State Highway Patrol for transporting the suspect to the Police Department, and Sheriff (Chris) Degase for allowing us to house the suspect in his facilities,” said Ava Police Chief Reggie Johnson.

Classes in all buildings at the Seymour R-2 School District were dismissed just after noon Tuesday after a written bomb threat was found inside one of the buildings there.

Cpl. Stuart said Wednesday he does not believe there is any connection between the incident here and the one in Seymour.

A man was also arrested in West Plains last week after making a bomb threat at the Walmart store there.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that an Independence, Mo., dentist who formerly practiced at clinics in Springfield, Mo., and Mountain Grove, Mo., pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a conspiracy to collect more than $167,000 in fraudulent Medi­caid payments for child patients of the clinics.

James R. Dye, 66, of Independ­ence, waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to a federal information that charges him with health care fraud.

In his plea, Dye admitted to con­spiring with two others, who oper­ated clinics under the name All About Smiles and contracted with Dye to work at the All About Smiles dental clinics in Springfield and Mountain Grove. All About Smiles, which has now closed all of its clinics, also paid for the services of three other dentists; they are neither charged nor identified in court doc­uments.

By pleading guilty today, Dye admitted that he and his co-conspirators purchased orthodontic appliances, known as Ortho-Tain, for approximately $50 each. The Ortho-Tain device, which Dye pre­scribed to child patients, was an orthodontic appliance designed to straighten teeth without braces. However, Dye and his co-conspirators billed each appliance to Medicaid as a speech aid prosthesis for approximately $695 (the maxi­mum allowed).

Over a nearly five-year period, from Oct. 6, 2010, to Aug. 19, 2015, Dye and his co-conspirators sub­mitted 241 claims, for which they received reimbursement of $675 to $695 per claim, for a total of $167,090. Dye was the performing provider on 218 claims totaling $151,105. The other dentists were responsible for the remaining amounts.

The Ortho-Tain orthodontic appli­ance is not a speech aid prosthesis, according to today’s plea agreement, and therefore should have been pre-certified by Medicaid and billed using a different orthodontic code. (A speech aid prosthesis was a max­illofacial prosthetic used to replace a missing part of a patient’s palate, or hole in the roof of the mouth, such as with a patient having a cleft pal­ate.  Medicaid did not require pro­viders to obtain prior authorization for speech aid prostheses provided to eligible beneficiaries.)

Dye knew his patients did not qualify for and thus had not received prior authorization for orthodontic treatment, so he knew the Ortho-Tain products were not being billed and paid as orthodontic devices. Had officials administering Medicaid known the conspirators submitted claims for payment for orthodontic appliances that were represented to be speech aid prostheses, Medicaid would not have paid the conspira­tors’ claims.

Dye admitted that he and his co-conspirators knew Medicaid did not cover orthodontic services unless the Medicaid program’s requirements were met and they received pre-certification, which required review by a dentist/orthodontist employed by Medicaid. For that reason, the conspirators decided to bill the Ortho-Tain appliances as speech aid prostheses in order to bypass the pre-certification requirement.

The vast majority of the ortho­dontic appliances that Dye and co-conspirators billed as speech aid prostheses were Ortho-Tain ortho­dontic appliances, but they also billed other orthodontic appliances, such as retainers, as speech aid prostheses.

Under federal statutes, Dye is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole. Dye must forfeit $167,090, which was derived from the pro­ceeds of the health care fraud scheme, to the government. 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. Attorneys Steven M. Mohlhenrich and Cindi Woolery. It was investigated by the U.S. De­partment of Health and Human Ser­vices – Office of the Inspector Gen­eral, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Missouri Attorney Gen­eral’s Office and IRS-Criminal In­vestigation.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating a man who fled from them on Tuesday of this week.

Officers were attempting to serve a warrant on Daniel R. Lakey, 31, in the Dogwood area west of Ava when he escaped out a window and fled.

Lakey has a capias no-bond warrant out of Douglas County for possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine).

A female was arrested at the same residence and is currently being held on a 24-hour hold pending a warrant.

If you see Lakey or know of his whereabouts please contact the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department.

On Feb. 17, the Ava Police Department received information from Ozark County Sheriff Darrin Reed regarding possible drug activity at an Ava residence.

Sheriff Reed said a male subject was arrested in Ozark County for drug activity, and information received by the officers indicated a possible tie to Ava.

Ava Police Chief Reggie Johnson, Sgt. Tim Stuart and Cpl. David Overcast went to the residence in the 600 block of SW 7th Street in Ava’s Sundown Ridge subdivision and spoke with a female at that residence. Sgt. Stuart explained why they were there and the officers were given permission to go inside and search the house for any illegal drugs or illegal weapons.

Cpl. Overcast applied for a warrant for the illegal drugs and weapons that were found in the residence.

On Monday, Feb. 29, Ava Police received an arrest warrant for Edward M. Morin-Ginn, of Ava, for felony possession of a firearm, felony possession of a controlled substance, and misdemeanor possession of marijuana.

Morin-Ginn was arrested at his residence and is being held in the Douglas County Jail in lieu of $15,000 10 percent cash or surety bond.

Amanda Marie Chavarria was also arrested on an Ozark County warrant for felony possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute. Chavarria posted a $1,500 cash bond.

Morin-Ginn is charged with Class  C felony unlawful possession of a firearm, Class C felony possession of a controlled substance except 35 grams or less of marijuana, and Class A misdemeanor possession of up to 35 grams or less of marijuana.

Chavarria is charged with felony distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce or attempt to possess with intent to distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce marijuana.

“I want to thank Sheriff Reed for the drug tip, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and all of my staff for all their hard work on this case,” Chief Johnson said. “This is how crimes get solved; by sharing information,” he added.

Chief Johnson reminds the public, if you need to report a crime please call 417-683-2900. “Remember, you can remain anonymous,” he added.

During the past month, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department has made numerous arrests on charges including drugs and stealing.

On Wednesday, Feb. 10, Christopher Engelhardt, 33, was arrested as a result of an investigation by Sgt. Vernon Johnson regarding stealing of propane tanks.

Several tips were received by the sheriff’s department regarding Engelhardt selling several items on Facebook, two of which were 500 gallon propane tanks.

A warrant was obtained for failure to obey judge’s order from a previous warrant for burglary and the new theft/stealing charge.  Engelhardt was arrested at his residence on Feb. 10, along with Tiffany Engelhardt who was also arrested on another warrant for failing to obey a judge’s order which has no bond pending hearing.

Bond for Christopher Engelhardt was set at $20,000.

On Thursday, Feb. 11, an arrest was made as a result of a check on suspicious activity at Gentry Roadside Park on North 5 Highway made on Jan. 30 by Deputy Gabe Stroud.

During that check, Michael Moore, 62, was approached while in his vehicle with a very strong smell of marijuana coming from it.  Moore admitted to smoking marijuana and handed Deputy Stroud a burnt marijuana cigarette.

A search of Moore’s vehicle revealed over 100 grams of marijuana, baggies with a white substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine, and additional marijuana and a marijuana pipe. Moore was arrested on Feb. 11 and posted $15,000 bond with a bondsman.

Late on Monday, Feb. 15, a search warrant was served at a residence in northern Douglas County based on information that there was methamphetamine in a residence. As a result of the search warrant, methamphetamine was discovered.

Two subjects were arrested. Della Lansdown, 29, was cited for possession of marijuana and released, and Joseph Bell, 36, was arrested on a 24-hour investigational hold while a warrant was obtained.

On Tuesday, Feb. 16, a warrant was issued for Bell for possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) felony Class C, and misdemeanor unlawful use of drug paraphernalia with a $20,000, 10% cash or surety bond which he posted later that day.

On Tuesday, Feb. 16, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department received a tip from an individual that stated there was a subject with a felony warrant and stolen vehicles at a residence near the Douglas/Webster County line.

Deputy Chris Page and Deputy Gabe Stroud attempted to make contact with an individual regarding an outstanding warrant in the Northwood Subdivision located before Z Highway near the Webster County line.

Upon arriving at the residence in plain sight was an older Mercedes car and an older RV. The 1973 Mercedes Benz passenger vehicle, showed registration out of Seymour; however, when the vehicle was run by its VIN it showed being entered as a stolen vehicle out of Dade County.

Also found at this residence was an RV that was also reported as stolen out of Dade County.  Attempts were made to contact subjects inside the residence who would not answer.  At that time entrance was made into the residence where Shawn Lowe-Dillard, 49, was found hiding in a closet.

Lowe-Dillard had an active warrant out of Dade County for four felony Class C counts of stealing a motor vehicle with nationwide extradition with a $5,000 cash only bond, and was extradited by Dade County on Wednesday, Feb. 17.

Also on Tuesday, Feb. 16, Deputy Stroud made a traffic stop on CR 403. Deputy Stroud and K9 Yadi performed an open air search around the vehicle and Yadi indicated a positive hit. During the search of the vehicle a pink backpack was located in the back of the vehicle containing a syringe, spoon, and glass smoking pipe commonly used in the consumption of methamphetamine.

All items field tested positive for meth.   Deputy Stroud then arrested  the female, Jessica Fardo-Puchta, 33, of Ava.

Fardo-Puchta was transported to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office where she was booked and held on a 24-hour investigational hold. A warrant was obtained  for Fardo-Puchta on Wednesday, Feb. 17, for Class C felony possession of controlled substance (meth), misdemeanor Class A possession of marijuana, and misdemeanor Class A unlawful use of drug paraphernalia with a $15,000, 10% cash or surety bond and is currently detained in the Douglas County Jail.

On Wednesday, Feb. 17, Deputy Taylor Wallace made a traffic stop near Country Club Estates with a vehicle.  Inside the vehicle scales and spoons used in the distribution of use of methamphetamine were seized.

Billie Bea, 25, and Ryan Swearengin, 25, were arrested and brought to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department for booking.  While processing the individuals it was discovered that both subjects were hiding methamphetamine and hydrocodone pills inside their lower body cavities.

The next morning information was taken to the Douglas County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and warrants were issued for both subjects.

Both were booked on various drug charges, including attempting to distribute in the county jail.

Bond for Bea was set at $20,000 and Swearengin’s bond was set at $15,000, both cash only.

During the week of February 24 to March 1, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department has answered 119 Calls for Service and has arrested 14 subjects.  There are currently 20 subjects incarcerated in the Douglas County Jail and one being held out of county.

On the evening of Monday, Feb. 29, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding several subjects being at a residence uninvited and a female firing a gun in the area of A Highway and CR410. Deputy Taylor Wallace and Sheriff Degase responded to the area.  While in the area Deputy Wallace and Sheriff Degase made contact with a female subject on foot. After further investigation and returning to the initial residence Deputy Wallace made contact with a male subject on foot near the Frye Church. The male subject was found to have methamphetamine, marijuana, and paraphernalia on his person and was booked on a 24-hour hold pending a warrant.

Later that afternoon the Douglas County Prosecuting Attorney issued a warrant for Colin Lane, 22, for felony and misdemeanor possession with intent to distribute. Bond was set at $20,000.

Lane is currently incarcerated in the Douglas County Jail.

On March 1, Sheriff Degase and Deputies responded to 181 Highway in Douglas County just south of Cabool for a male subject armed with a rifle and threatening to commit suicide. A dispatcher at Texas County 911 and Sheriff Degase convinced the man, later identified as Israel Speake, to agree to meet Sheriff Degase in the yard to talk. At that time Speake, 43 was taken into custody by Sheriff Degase without incident. Speake was arrested on multiple Cabool PD warrants including: felony Class D DWI, misdemeanor driving while revoked/suspended, misdemeanor Class B fail to register motor vehicle, and misdemeanor fail to maintain financial responsibility.

Speak was transported to the Texas County Sheriff’s Department where he is currently incarcerated.

Sheriff Chris Degase

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a former Branson, Mo., EMT was sentenced in federal court today for producing child pornography.

Nicholas James Dickerson, 31, of Branson, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 21 years and 10 months in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Dickerson to supervised release for the rest of his life following incarceration.

Dickerson, who pleaded guilty on Feb. 26, 2015, was employed by the Western Taney County Fire Protection District as an EMT less than 18 months and was a volunteer firefighter for about eight months. Dickerson was residing in living quarters at a Branson fire station at the time of the offense.

According to court documents, Dickerson sold his iPhone to a Nixa, Mo., business on Feb. 9, 2015. After the transaction was complete, an employee of the business noticed that the “deleted pictures folder” was still present on the screen. The employee saw an image of child pornography and alerted the store owner, who contacted law enforcement.

Investigators identified the nine-year-old victim in the photo, which was taken on Feb. 7, 2015. Dickerson told investigators that he took the photo while sexually abusing the child victim in his living quarters at the fire station, and that he sexually abused the victim on multiple occasions. Dickerson also told investigators he had shown pornography to the child victim on multiple occasions.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by the FBI.

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 information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc

For information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Department arrested 11 people at residences in Ava on Wednesday, March 23, and Sunday, March 27, with another arrest on Monday bringing the total to an even dozen.

A search warrant was served at a residence at 511 NW 12th Ave., across from Dollar General  in Ava on Wednesday, March 23. As a result the following were arrested:

Ashton Brown, 22; Dianne Barnes, 36; Roger Steward, 55; and David Babish, 32.

All four were charged with possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine; and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.

Bond on each of these charges was set at $1,500 cash only.

Brown has two additional warrants for probation violations with no bond as a result of the above charges.

Another search warrant was served on March 23 at a residence at 9847 East Highway 14 resulting in the arrest of Justin Stanton, 36; and Kelly Turner-Denbow, 31.

Stanton was arrested on a probation and parole violation, with no bond.

Turner-Denbow was issued misdemeanor citations for possession of marijuana and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.

On Sunday, March 27, at approximately 9 p.m., the Sheriff’s Office obtained a warrant for illegal drug use and possession of methamphetamine at a residence at 306 NW 4th Street, just north of the Ava Post Office, after receiving a complaint of a strong odor of what was believed to be marijuana.

Officers said there were three small children present while the illegal drugs were being consumed, resulting in a toxic environment inside the home. The search warrant resulted in the arrest and charges against five people after methamphetamine and parapher-nalia were found in the home.

Charged there were Franklin C. Johnson, 29; Steven L. Johnson, 31; Matthew Lane, 40; Tiffany Satterfield, 32; and Farrah Dalton, no age given.

All five individuals at that residence were charged similarly with possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine; and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child involving drugs.

Bond for Franklin Johnson, Steven Johnson, Lane and Satterfield was set at $5,000 each, cash only.

Dalton secured an attorney and entered into an agreement to be released into the custody of Court Probationary Services.

On March 28, at approximately 1:30 p.m. the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant at a residence on A Highway where James Simonsen, 38, of Ava, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, a Class C felony. His bond was set at $1,500 cash only.

SPRINGFIELD – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that an Ava, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to producing child pornography.

Brett Corcoran, 26, of Ava, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to the charge contained in a Sept. 30, 2015, federal indictment. Corcoran has been in federal custody since his arrest.

By pleading guilty, Corcoran admitted that he used a minor victim to produce child pornography between Jan. 1 and May 13, 2015. According to court documents, Corcoran engaged in numerous text conversations with a 14-year-old victim. He sent pornographic images of himself to her, and solicited images from the child victim.

Under federal statutes, Corcoran is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of 30 years 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 James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the St. Mary’s County, Maryland, Sheriff’s 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.”

The following people were sentenced to the Department of Corrections at the Douglas County Circuit Court law day on May 3, according to the office of Douglas County Prosecuting Attorney Chris Wade.

William O. Hogue, 34, of Sparta, was sentenced to seven years for 2nd degree domestic assault and five years for felonious restraint. Hogue’s sentence will be consecutive to a sentence he is currently serving. The case was investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department.

Carlton Wake, 37, of Willow Springs, was sentenced to seven years for stealing. Wake received a suspended seven year sentence on Sept. 8, 2015, and violated his probation. This case was investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department.

Elias David, 20, of Thornfield, was sentenced to seven years for 2nd degree assault. David received a suspended seven year sentence on Oct. 8, 2013, and violated his probation. The case was investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department.

Ashton Brown, 22, of Gainesville, was sentenced to six years for forgery and possession of methamphetamine. She was on probation for events that occurred on April 23, 2014, and April 14, 2015. The cases were investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department.

Roger Steward, 55, of Ava, received three years for possession of methamphetamine. The case was investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department.

William Batterton, 39, of West Plains, received three years for stealing. The case was investigated by the Ava Police Department.

Britni Tyra Dixon, 27, of Ava, received three years for child abuse and three years for 2nd degree burglary. Dixon received a three year suspended sentence on Dec. 14, 2012, and violated her probation. Both cases were investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department.

Matt Lane, 40, of Ava, was sentenced to Long Term Drug Treatment through the Department of Corrections. This is a 12 – 24 month program. The case was investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department.

There were 75 felony cases on the docket for law day. You can follow the Douglas County Prosecutor on Facebook at Douglas County Prosecuting Attorney.

JEFFERSON CITY – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that the former vice president of a Pulaski County, Mo., bank was sentenced in federal court Tuesday for leading a $4.1 million conspiracy to defraud the Small Business Administration, as well as participating in a separate and unrelated $18.2 million scheme to defraud the federal government while he was awaiting sentencing for the earlier fraud scheme.
Richard Newman Delong, 51, of Newburg, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to three years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Delong to pay $4,222,916 in restitution: $1,193,893 to the Small Business Administration (SBA); $1,257,327 to Mid-America Bank and Trust Company; $1,674,696 to Chubb Insurance and $98,000 to Brookshire Concrete.
On Jan. 24, 2014, Delong pleaded guilty to his role in a conspiracy to defraud the SBA. While on bond for that offense, Delong pleaded guilty in a separate and unrelated case on Dec. 4, 2015, to possessing and uttering a forged security as part of another scheme to defraud the government. Delong has remained in federal custody since his bond was revoked in November 2014. Today’s sentencing includes a sentence of three years in federal prison for the SBA fraud and two years in federal prison for the FHA fraud, to be served concurrently.
SBA Fraud Scheme
Delong was employed by Mid-America Bank in Dixon, Mo., as an executive vice-president and chief lending officer. Delong led a conspiracy from Jan. 1, 2005, to Feb. 5, 2010, to defraud the SBA by obtaining loans from Mid-America Bank that were guaranteed by the SBA under federal loan programs designed to provide financial assistance to qualified small businesses.
A number of loans were fraudulently obtained by businesses that were ineligible to receive them by concealing past due loan payments of distressed borrowers; making loans to nominee borrowers; making false entries in bank records; structuring loans so as to avoid the scrutiny of the bank’s board of directors; concealing unbooked letters of credit; funneling SBA guaranteed loan proceeds to themselves and others; misapplying loan proceeds; preparing fraudulent SBA borrower applications; and paying and accepting bribe money to secure loans.
Delong approved a number of fraudulent loans and prepared the false paperwork that secured SBA guaranties for loans for several co-defendants who have all pleaded guilty and been sentenced. Participants in this scheme include two business consultants (George G. Spencer and Dennis K. Depriest); the former branch manager of the SBA office in Springfield, Mo. (Larry Steven Aduddle); several business owners (Gerald E. Harris, Michael Edward Clegg, Perris D. Rask, Keith David Miller, and Lindell L. Vawter); and nominee loan borrowers (Andrea M. Clegg, Daniel J. Metz, James David Boothe, Catherine S. Debar, Randall S. Rogers, James Stewart Dunlop, Jr., and Scott E. Alexander).
As a result of Delong’s fraud, at least seven fraudulently obtained SBA-guaranty loans defaulted. (Additional loans that received SBA guarantees have defaulted, but no claim to pay the guarantee has been made to date.) Losses attributable to the portions of the loans that were not guaranteed by the SBA were borne by Mid-America Bank. As a result of the scheme, Mid-America Bank charged off $2,939,161 related to the default of the fraudulent loans involved in the scheme. Chubb Insurance paid Mid-America Bank $1,675,000 upon a claim on a policy it maintained.
HUD / FHA Fraud Scheme
Delong and co-defendant James J. Laughlin, 74, of Waynesville, Mo., each pleaded guilty to their roles in an $18.2 million fraud scheme.
Laughlin, one of the operators of 4-J Apartments in Pulaski County, Mo., admitted that he provided false information to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) in order to obtain an $18,219,400  loan in 2012 for the operation and maintenance of 232 apartments and complexes in Pulaski County.
Laughlin involved DeLong, an employee of Brookshire Concrete while on bond awaiting his sentencing in the SBA fraud conspiracy, in the fraud scheme. Delong, who was fired by the company for his role in the scheme, worked with Laughlin to make it appear that Brookshire Concrete was renting apartments from 4-J. This would allow 4-J to artificially inflate its occupancy levels in order to qualify for the FHA loan.
Delong issued numerous checks that were made payable to 4J Apartments to give the appearance that rent was being paid by Brookshire Concrete; however, none of Brookshire’s employees ever lived in any of 4-J’s apartments.
These checks contained the forged signature of the company’s owner.
These cases were prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. Oliver and Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. They were investigated by the Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General, the FBI and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General.

During the week of July 13 – 26, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office answered 293 Calls for Service, arrested and booked 28 into the Douglas County Jail.  There are 29 housed in the Douglas County Jail and one currently held out of county.

Hart

On July 18 the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office made an arrest of a Joshua Hart, 34, of West Plains for felony Class B theft/stealing.  This was the result of an investigation of reports of burglary in the month of June in the Twin Bridges area. The pre-liminary estimated value of the thefts is around $14,000-plus.  Hart is currently incarcerated in the Douglas County Jail with a $25,000 cash or 10% surety bond.
On July 23, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding suspicious activity involving a 16-year-old female and a male subject. The father of the girl had attempted to pick her up from a relative’s house and she wasn’t there. When located by the father, the girl was with an older male and his wife.

Burdick

Further investigation led to the arrest of Terrence Burdick, 37, of Ava.  Burdick, a registered sex offender, was charged with felony Class C 2nd degree statutory rape, and is currently being held in the Douglas County Jail with a $20,000 cash only bond.

Bishop

On July 23, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office received a report from a mother regarding her juvenile son whom she could not locate.  Contact was made via text with the juvenile male by a sibling in which he stated he would be there soon.
Soon after that a report was received regarding a stolen 2000 model white Dodge Caravan that had been taken from a residence on north Highway 5 sometime during the night. A report was taken and the van was entered as stolen. A short time later the van was found abandoned in Wright County. The vehicle was released to the owner.
Upon further investigation and information received by Deputy Stacey Freeman, a suspect regarding the stolen vehicle was at a residence in Ava, and she arrested the male subject, Alex Bishop, 17.  A warrant was then obtained for Bishop for felony Class C tampering with a motor vehicle, 1st degree, with a $15,000, 10% cash or surety bond.
Bishop is currently incarcerated in the Douglas County Jail.
A second juvenile male subject has been referred to the juvenile courts for his involvement in the theft of the motor vehicle.
On July 25, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call of a shooting in the Ava High School parking lot. Upon arriving the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Ava Police Department by processing the crime scene and interviewing witnesses. At the conclusion of the joint investigation, it was determined a male subject shot another male subject before turning the weapon on himself and taking his own life. The male subject that was shot is expected to recover.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Department has received several calls regarding scam phone calls this week. The call appears to come from Ava R-1 Schools. When answered they ask about credit card debt and attempt to obtain credit card information from the answering party. Several have attempted to return the call which in fact is answered by Ava Schools.
If you happen to receive a call from Ava Schools, please answer as it could be legitimate or important.  However, if you answer and the party begins to ask information of you that is obviously not fitting of a school phone call, hang up and call 1-866-289-9633, Missouri Attorney General’s Office Buzz Off number, and give them the information regarding the phone call.
As always, never give out any kind of personal information over the phone.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office at 417-683-1020 or 417-683-1460.
Sheriff Chris Degase