Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Area Courthouse, Police, and Crime Reports for January 21st, 2026

On January 13th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Earl Quan Washington IV (25) of Maryville alleging Child Abuse (Felony). Bond was set at $5,000 with the defendant to be released on his own recognizance. Defendant may have no contact with the victims.

On January 13th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Lincoln LaFave (22) of St. Joseph alleging Property Damage and Trespassing.

On January 13th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Landon Parman (19) of Maryville alleging two counts Delivery of Controlled Substance (Felony) and Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Felony). Bond was set at $10,000, cash or corporate surety.

On January 14th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Zachary Sherlock (49) of Clearmont alleging    Distribution of Controlled Substance Within 1,000 Feet of Public Park (Felony), Possession of Controlled Substance (Felony), two counts Unlawful Possession of Firearm (Felony), two counts Possession of Controlled Substance and Weapon (Felony), and Driving While Revoked (Felony). Bond was set at $100,000, cash or corporate surety.

On January 14th, a judge issued an injunction against the Creston school district prohibiting them from terminating Melisa Crook, a teacher who had posted a Facebook comment regarding the late Charlie Kirk during her own time and not speaking as a representative of a school. Ms. Crook allegedly posted regarding Mr. Kirk following his assassination, “He is a terrible human being — terrible. I do not wish death on anyone, but him not being here is a blessing.“ She subsequently posted an apology for the remarks. Creston Superintendent Deron Stender immediately placed her on administrative leave and later sent her a Notice Recommendation to Terminate. Crook sued the district, alleging that they violated her free speech rights and requested a temporary restraining order, which the judge granted. However, the court denied a motion to reinstate her while the case proceeded, stating that the purpose of a preliminary injunction was to preserve the status quo while litigation proceeds. The school contends that the district subsequently received over 100 emails and over 140 calls about the comment in question and that they had to have more law enforcement presence. (WHO-13)

On January 15th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that a 34-year-old Pattonsburg woman was southbound on I-35 in Clinton County at around 4:55 am when she struck a deer and was taken to Liberty Hospital with injuries.

On January 15th, Daviess County Prosecutor Andrea Beth Gibson filed charges against Rodger Gardner (42) of Des Moines alleging Resisting Arrest (Felony). Bond was denied.

On January 15th, Daviess County Prosecutor Andrea Beth Gibson filed charges against Zachary Brannen (40) of Coffey alleging Domestic Assault. Bond was denied.

On January 15th, Daviess County Prosecutor Andrea Beth Gibson filed charges against Cody Tucker (32) of Princeton alleging Non-Support (Felony).  The amount alleged owed totaled $6,676.62 as of January 7th.

On January 16th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Andrew Provencio (43) of Maryville alleging Stalking (Felony) and Harassment (Felony). Bond was denied.

On January 16th, Daviess County Prosecutor Andrea Beth Gibson filed charges against Kacey Purdun (36) of Hobson (MT) alleging Possession of Controlled Substance (Felony) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. This is in addition to charges she picked up previously. Bond was denied.

On January 17th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that a 22-year-old man from Gretna (NE) was injured after he failed to negotiate a curve on 136 in Burlington Junction at 2:30 am, struck a tree, and then struck a home. He received serious injuries and was taken to Clarinda Medical Center.

On January 17th, KMA reported that a garage fire spread to a residential structure owned by Mike and Amber Butt in Clarinda at around 2:35 pm. The fire was spread by high winds. The house was a total loss. There were no injuries; they were able to escape the structure safely. The Clarinda School District is accepting donations at the school to support the family, including monetary donations, gift cards, and daily essentials.

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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