On April 3rd, a grand jury indicted Endrina Bracho (33) of St. Charles in St. Louis County Circuit Court alleging Involuntarily Manslaughter (Felony), two counts Assault (Felony), two counts Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Felony), No Valid License, and No Insurance. The charges arose after the defendant allegedly drove the wrong way on a street, striking two vehicles, killing a child, and seriously injuring two other adults and two other children. Bond was set at $500,000, cash only.
On August 14th, Bradley Smith (23) of Bethany pleaded guilty in Harrison County Associate Circuit Court to Violation of Protection Order. He was sentenced to two years probation and ordered to pay $300 in costs to the Law Enforcement Restitution Fund.
On August 16th, the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Department reported that a 2003 Dodge Ram driven by Marshall Ruckman (20) of Denver was northbound on Highway P33 near Diagonal when he went off the east side into a ditch, struck an embankment, went airborne, and overturned. Ruckman was not injured. He was arrested and charged with DWI, Failure to Maintain Control, and Minor in Possession. Bond was set at $1,000, cash only.
On August 20th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that a 2004 Mazda Tribute driven by Michael Behrens (50) of Mount Moriah (MO) was westbound on Route N two miles east of Blythedale at around 2:36 pm. The vehicle crossed the center line, overcorrected, and struck an embankment. Behrens was not injured, but two occupants, Elizabeth Behrens (22) of Mount Moriah and a 17 year teen of Mount Moriah sustained minor injuries.
On August 20th, the Eastern Missouri US Prosecutor’s Office reported that Christopher Spencer (46) pleaded guilty to charges that he used his brother’s ID to obtain Medicaid reimbursement for which he was not entitled. The defendant allegedly continued to use his brother’s Electronic Verification records and faulty timesheets for three years and eight months after his brother had stopped providing care in 2018. He was sentenced to 6 months in prison and 6 months of house arrest and ordered to pay $56,173 to the Missouri Medicaid Program.
On August 20th, Harrison County Prosecutor Alex Van Zandt filed charges against Melsy Lopezposadas (40) of Kansas City alleging Speeding (111 mph).
On August 20th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Hayden Emery (24) of Maryville alleging that she misused 911.
On August 20th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Michael Coffelt (42) of Maryville alleging DWI and Failure to Signal.
On August 20th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Taylor Coffelt (25) of Ravenwood alleging DWI, Careless & Imprudent Driving (Accident), and No Seat Belt.
On August 20th, KQ2 reported that two people were charged with Animal Abuse after they allegedly threw a dog off a bridge back in June. Arnold Thomas was charged in Andrew County with a felony while Shelton Monico of Lawson was charged with a misdemeanor.
On August 21st, Harrison County Prosecutor Alex Van Zandt filed charges against Treigh Fehring (26) of Bethany alleging Resisting Arrest. Bond was set at $2,000, cash only.
On August 21st, the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested Jose Cruz Lopez (31) of Albany in Gentry County on a charge of DWI.
On August 21st, Worth County Prosecutor Janet Wake Larison filed charges against Zachary Ellis (40) of Grant City alleging Driving While Revoked (4th Offense, Felony).
On August 22nd, Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft refused to sign off on an emergency rule banning the sale of hemp-THC products in the state. Governor Mike Parson had signed an executive order to remove all hemp-derived THC edibles and beverages from store shelves and threatened penalties to any establishment with a Missouri liquor license or that sells food products from selling them. Ashcroft refused to sign off on it, stating that the rules did not meet the state law’s requirements. The rule must now go through a public comment process and the normal six month rulemaking procedure. The Missouri Independent reported that Hemp industry leaders had called Parson’s order an overreach.
In response, Governor Parson fired off an angry letter to Ashcroft, accusing him of retaliating because Parson had endorsed Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe in the GOP Gubernatorial Primary, won by Kehoe. Parson said the emergency exists because of an increase in emergency room visits by children under the age of five suffering from cannabis poisoning since 2018.
Parson wrote, in part, “As best I can tell, you denied this emergency rulemaking because you believe hurt feelings are more important than protecting children. This is a personal matter for thousands of parents and grandparents across the state, and denying the rulemaking is your attempt at retribution for my endorsement of another candidate. Safety of kids is not a political issue. I am disgusted that you are making it one…These products could come from the Southern Border or adversarial countries like China, and there is no way of knowing what is in them…I fear how many children must consume these harmful products before you think an emergency exists.”
On August 22nd, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced the investigation of National Public Data, a company that allows its customers to search billions of Social Security records with instant results, alleging they failed to properly secure and safeguard Missourians personally identifiable information, resulting in a data breach. Information at risk includes Social Security numbers, current and past addresses, names, and other private records. As a result of this breach, a cybercriminal group allegedly stole the data of 2.9 billion people and put it up for sale for $3.5 million.
On August 22nd, Leander Gingerich (35) of Bethany pleaded guilty in Harrison County Circuit Court to a charge of Sexual Misconduct (Child Under 15). He was sentenced to three years in the Department of Corrections by Judge Steven Hudson, to be served concurrently with a sentence in Carroll County.
On August 22nd, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services reported the first case of West Nile Virus in the state this year. The individual was between 61 and 80 and living in Harrison County (IA). For the best protection against mosquitoes, which spread the virus, people should use an insect repellant with DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, Para-menthane-diol, 2undecanone, or IR3535.
On August 22nd, State Senator Mary Elizabeth Coleman, State Rep. Hannah Kelly, State Rep. Kelly Forck, and Margurite Forrest, the operator of a shelter for homeless pregnant women in St. Louis County filed a lawsuit to strike Amendment 3, the abortion rights amendment, off the Missouri ballot, They allege that it violates the Missouri Constitution by including more than one subject and fails to specify the laws and constitutional provisions that would be repealed if it is approved.
On August 23rd, the Missouri Independent reported that two administrative law judges, Ryan Asbridge and Gina Mitten, filed suit against Governor Mike Parson’s office, the Missouri Office of Administration Commissioner, Attorney General Andrew Bailey, and the Director of the Missouri Department of Industrial Relations. The suit alleges the Parson administration declared them at will employees and fired Mitten outright and withheld Asbridge’s pay while he was on active military duty. The plaintiffs contend the law requires that administrative law judges can only be discharged or removed after receiving three or more votes of no confidence two years in a row from a five member review committee that audits their performance. Administrative law judges are subject to retention votes every 12 years by the committee. Asbridge alleges that Missouri law requires the state to pay salaries of administrative law judges regardless of the hours they work, and there is no provision in state law to withhold his salary.
On August 23rd, the Missouri Independent reported that Missouri has seen one of the nation’s largest increases in calls to the revamped 988 suicide hotline. It was 136% higher in May 2024 than in May 2022. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please call the National Suicide Crisis Hotline at 988.
On August 23rd, the Country Club (MO) Police Department, located just north of St. Joseph, asked for assistance in locating a runaway teen, Ally Scott. She was reported as a runaway on December 21st and is believed to be in St. Joseph and has been seen in Savannah. If you have information on her whereabouts, contact them at (816) 325-3329.
On August 23rd, the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested Dennis Robertson (32) of Brimson (MO) in Harrison County on charges of Possession of Methamphetamine (Felony), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Speeding, and a motor carrier violation.
On August 23rd, Worth County Prosecutor Janet Wake Larison filed charges against Theresa Marcione (44) of Mount Ayr alleging Possession of Controlled Substance (Felony) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Felony). Bond was set at $20,000, cash only.
On August 24th, the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Department reported that a 16 year old driver was northbound on P27 at 11:35 am when they went off the southbound lane, overcorrected, struck a culvert, went airborne, and overturned, ejecting the driver. They were lifeflighted to Des Moines.
On August 25th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested Katelyn Kramer (25) of Conception Junction in Nodaway County on charges of DWI and an equipment violation.
On August 25th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested Jill Cameron (52) of Bethany in Harrison County on charges of Possession of Methamphetamine (Felony), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, No Taillight, No Seat Belt, and No Insurance. Charges were filed by Prosecutor Alex Van Zandt the following day.
On August 25th, Daviess County Prosecutor Andrea Beth Gibson filed charges against Micah Ray (30) of Gallatin alleging Rape (Felony). Bond was denied.
On August 26th, KSIB reported that Alberto Arronte (39) of Houston (TX) was arrested by the Creston Police Department after he allegedly went 80 mph within city limits and a police chase resulted. During the chase, the defendant allegedly struck a parked vehicle.
On August 26th, Gentry County Prosecutor Jessica Jones filed charges against James Wilper (43) of Bethany alleging Possession of Methamphetamine (Felony), No Plates, Failure to Drive on Right Half of Roadway, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond was set at $5,000, cash or corporate surety.
On August 26th, Gentry County Prosecutor Jessica Jones filed charges against Christopher Allen (39) of Bethany alleging Driving While Revoked (Felony). Bond was set at $2,500, cash or corporate surety.
On August 26th, Gentry County Prosecutor Jessica Jones filed charges against Donato Valeriano (31) of Grant City alleging Careless & Imprudent Driving (Accident), DWI, and No Valid License.
On August 26th, Gentry County Prosecutor Jessica Jones filed charges against Autumn Lowe (36) of Ridgeway alleging Unlawful Possession of a Firearm (Felony), Speeding (68 mph), Failure to Drive on Right Half of Roadway, No Insurance, and Resisting Arrest. Bond was set at $5,000, cash or corporate surety.
On August 26th, the Maryville Forum reported that Nicki Samson entered an Alford plea to charges that she stole $483,000 from NOCOMO Industries, for whom she served as General Manager. The defendant does not admit guilt, but accepts criminal punishment. She was sentenced to five years probation by Judge Corey Herron and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $23,019.85, the difference between the funds that were able to be retrieved by law enforcement plus accounting fees associated with the transactions.
On August 27th, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department arrested Vincent Estrada (42) of Bethany on a warrant from Pike County (IL). Bond was denied.
Charges listed are merely 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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