Wednesday, March 23, 2022

Courthouse News for March 23rd, 2022

A bill in the Missouri House, House Bill 1705, would require individuals on probation or parole for first or second degree murder to register, similar to the state’s sex offender registry. Individuals on his registry would come off it when they complete their probation or parole. The bill is currently in committee.

On March 14th, Special Prosecutor Tara Cluck filed charges against Dorothy Dodge (41) of Grant City in Worth County alleging Non-Support (Felony).

On March 15th, multiple outlets reported that a Polo man, Lloyd Cruz Junior, was charged with Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building and Entering or Remaining in a Restricting building or Grounds. The charges arose in conjunction with the January 6th Capitol Riot.

On March 15th, the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Department reported that charges were filed against Kevin Ray (32) of Delphos alleging Possession, Receipt, Transportation, or Dominion and Control of Firearms, Offensive Weapons, and Ammunition by Felons and Others. This is in addition to other charges he is facing. Bond was set at $5,000, cash only.

On the evening of March 16th, parts of the City of Bethany were without power. The electric company was working on a power pole that was hit by a FedEx truck.

On March 16th, Harrison County Prosecutor Johnathan Meyer filed charges against Travis Gilliland (41) of Ridgeway alleging Murder (2nd Degree) and Armed Criminal Action (Felony). Bond was set at $250,000. Northwest Mo Info and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department report the charges arose in conjunction with the shooting death of Lynn Trammell (50) of Ridgeway.

Lanny Smith, of Gravity, was taken into custody on March 16, 2022 on an outstanding Taylor County warrant for disorderly conduct. Smith was being held at the Taylor County Jail on a $300 cash bond until seen before a Magistrate. 

On March 17th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested Jerry Thompson (36) of Mobile (AL) on an out of state warrant.

On March 17th, Christopher Cerda-Romo, 30, of Lenox, was arrested in the 400 block of West Platte Street following a traffic stop by the Taylor County Sheriff’s Department. Cerda-Romo was found to have a suspended license and taken into custody without incident.  Cerda-Romo was being held at the Taylor County Jail on a $491.25 cash bond until seen before a Magistrate. 

On March 17th, Harrison County Prosecutor Johnathan Meyer filed charges against Daniel Holmblad (53) of Faribault (MN) alleging DWI.

On March 17th, Harrison County Prosecutor Johnathan Meyer filed charges against Albert McAfee (69) of Gilman City alleging DWI (Felony) and Failure to Drive on Right Half of Roadway.

On March 17th, Harrison County Prosecutor Johnathan Meyer filed charges against Jastin Johns (19) of Bethany alleging Possession of Controlled Substance (Felony), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Minor in Possession.

On March 17th, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s Securities Division issued an order to show cause why restitution, civil penalties and other administrative relief should not be imposed against a company and four individuals that allegedly offered and sold at least $760,000 in unregistered homemade “silver and gold certificates.” Between April 2018 and August 2020, Robert Craig Bridgforth, through an entity he reportedly called Liberty Gold and Silver, allegedly offered and sold securities instruments to six investors in Missouri, including four elderly residents from Warrensburg, Independence and Oak Grove. The certificates were said to be collateralized by gold or silver.   Also named in the order, Ashley R. Wegener, Dustin Raysik and Bryan L. Cochran, all unregistered issuer agents, allegedly introduced the Missouri investors to Bridgforth and received commissions. Bridgforth purportedly drafted his own instruments that contained graphics and images that made false statements that the investments were secured by currency minted by the United States Treasury. In connection with offering the investments, Bridgforth is alleged to have made material misstatements and omissions, and engaged in a Ponzi-like scheme that violated multiple sections of the Missouri Securities Act. The Securities Division is seeking a Final Order from Missouri Securities Commissioner David M. Minnick for more than $4 million in civil penalties, more than $700,000 in restitution with interest and cost of the investigation.

On March 18th, the Union County (IA) Sheriff’s Department arrested Jack Snyder, formerly of Diagonal, on an active Ringgold County Warrant for two Controlled Substance Violations. Bond was set at $35,000, cash only.

On March 18th, Harrison County Prosecutor Johnathan Meyer filed charges against Samuel Davis (32) of Des Moines alleging Possession of Controlled Substance (Felony). Bond was set at $10,000, cash only.

On March 18, 2022, Deputies with the Taylor County Sheriff's Office took a report of a vehicle that had left the roadway and struck a power pole and continued on to collide with a residence on Jackson Street in Bedford.  Following a subsequent investigation, Hollie Peckham, 50, of Bedford, was taken into custody for operating while intoxicated.  Peckham was being held at the Taylor County Jail on a $1,000 cash bond until seen before a Magistrate. 

On March 21st at 12:18 pm, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that a 2001 Honda driven by Eric Swope (20) of St. Joseph was northbound on Route N one mile northeast of Bolckow in Nodaway County when he lost control, traveled off the east side, and into a ditch. Swope was ejected and received moderate injuries and was taken to Mosaic in St. Joseph. Subsequently, he was arrested on charges of Tampering with a Motor Vehicle, No Insurance, No Plates, and No Valid License.

On March 21st, KXCV, citing the Nodaway County Sheriff’s Department, reported that an inmate suffered a medical emergency and died at the Nodaway County Jail Saturday.

On March 21st, Harrison County Prosecutor Johnathan Meyer filed charges against Colter Loving (36) of Bethany alleging Harassment (Felony) and Domestic Assault (Felony). Bond was set at $20,000, cash only.

Charges listed are mere allegations. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty it is to determine guilt or innocence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.




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