A St. Louis, Missouri, man who shot a law enforcement officer before shooting himself pleaded guilty in federal court to drug trafficking and illegally discharging a firearm in Joplin, Missouri. E.F. Fitchpatrick, Jr., 46, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of […]
Category: State News
Missouri man to spend 13 years in prison for distributing meth
A Webb City, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Newton County, Missouri. Aaron S. Sutten, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 13 years and four months in federal prison without parole. On Oct. 16, 2019, Sutten pleaded guilty to […]
Missouri woman receives prison sentence for selling meth in exchange for SNAP benefits
A Milo, Missouri, woman has been sentenced in federal court for her role in a conspiracy to sell methamphetamine in exchange for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (commonly known as “food stamps”). Melanie A. Person, 54, was sentenced by M. Douglas Harpool on Wednesday, June 10, to six years in federal prison without parole. […]
Missouri works to avoid K-12 funding decline from coronavirus inflicted attendance drop
Some health experts predict a spike in coronavirus cases this fall – putting Missouri K-12 public schools in a potential funding dilemma. Missouri’s foundation formula – the system used to determine how much state aid to give to schools – is based on a combination of components, including student attendance figures and academic achievement. During […]
Missouri motorcycle helmet legislation still under review
Missouri’s governor is still reviewing legislation that would allow some motorcyclists to ride without a helmet. The provision is included in a large transportation bill that is now on Governor Mike Parson’s desk. Parson’s spokeswoman, Kelli Jones, told Missourinet on Wednesday that the large bill is still under review. Current Missouri law requires every person operating […]
Jury trials in Missouri to allow for safe distancing and other COVID-19 health concerns
The Missouri Supreme Court is changing trial court proceedings to include safe distancing and more allowances for COVID-19 health concerns. The order issued this week says “The resumption of jury proceedings too early would not only risk the health of the participants, but it could also undermine public confidence in the courts and damage the integrity of […]
Missouri man who pointed pistol at police officer during foot chase sentenced to 9 years in prison
A Springfield, Missouri, man who pointed a loaded pistol at police officers during a car and foot chase was sentenced in federal court for illegally possessing a firearm. Matthew D. Billingslea, 31, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to nine years in federal prison without parole. On Sept. 11, 2019, Billingslea pleaded […]
Missouri man sentenced to 20 years in prison for distributing heroin that caused fatal overdose
An Oak Grove, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court for distributing the heroin that resulted in the overdose death of an Arizona man visiting his family in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Joshua Austin Leroux, 35, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to 20 years in federal prison without parole. On Nov. 13, […]
California woman sentenced to 27 years in prison for her role in meth conspiracy
A Pomona, California, woman was sentenced in federal court for leading a conspiracy to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine in Jasper County, Missouri. Melissa R. Kivett, 42, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 27 years in federal prison without parole. On Oct. 9, 2019, Kivett pleaded guilty to participating in a […]
Missouri State Highway Patrol to graduate 21 troopers
The superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Colonel Eric Olson has announced that 21 troopers will graduate from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy on Friday, June 26, 2020. The ceremony is by invitation only due to the coronavirus guidelines but will be available to the public and the media via Facebook live. The ceremony […]
COVID-19 pandemic making 2020 Census difficult
A spokesperson for the 2020 Census says the COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult to share information about the Census. Some residents have said they never received a form for the Census. Anyone who needs to receive a form to complete the Census is asked to call 1-844-330-2020. As of the afternoon of Tuesday, June […]
Missouri Congressman introduces legislation intended to prevent police brutality
Missouri Congressman Lacy Clay and a chorus of other lawmakers have introduced sweeping legislation designed to crack down on police brutality problems. Clay, along with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Congressional Black Caucus, want to reign in on police using deadly force and want to require an independent prosecutor for all police killings. Clay, […]
Missouri Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer: “Defunding police departments not the way to go”
Since the death of George Floyd of Minnesota, some elected officials are being asked whether to defund police departments. Most Minneapolis City Council members say they support dismantling their police department and putting the funding toward affordable housing and battling opioid and mental health problems. East-central Missouri Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer tells Missourinet affiliate KWIX in […]
Missouri man pleads guilty for role in large-scale methamphetamine conspiracy, faces 15 years in prison
A Springfield, Missouri, man pleaded guilty in federal court to his role in a large-scale methamphetamine conspiracy that involved multi-pound shipments of methamphetamine transported from Arizona to Missouri. Gregory L. Hopper, 35, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possessing […]
Missouri sex offender on supervised release sentenced to 10 years in prison for possessing child porn
A Springfield, Missouri, man with a prior conviction for transporting child pornography was sentenced in federal court for another child pornography offense. David Todd Beresky, 43, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Beresky to a lifetime of supervised release following […]
Missouri’s medical marijuana program publishes first annual report
The Department of Health and Senior Services announces the release of its Missouri Medical Marijuana Regulatory Program’s annual report to the Governor. DHSS is required to annually submit a report to the Governor regarding the efficient discharge of its responsibilities under Article XIV Section 1 of the Missouri Constitution. Reported activities are based on the […]
Texas man indicted for investment fraud scheme
A Houston, Texas, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for an investment fraud scheme. Duc Nguyen, also known as “Doug,” 56, was charged in a 12-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury on May 27, 2020. According to the federal indictment, Nguyen proposed an opportunity for high net worth individuals to […]
Missouri man sentenced to 12 years in prison for illegal firearms and methamphetamine trafficking
A Springfield, Missouri, man has been sentenced in federal court for methamphetamine trafficking and illegally possessing firearms. Tyler J. Brown, 29, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool on Wednesday, June 3, to 12 years in federal prison without parole. On Sept. 11, 2019, Brown pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine with the intent […]
Kansas man arrested for attacking officers during protest at Country Club Plaza charged with illegal firearm
A Kansas City, Kansas, man who initially was arrested after throwing water bottles at police officers during protests at the Country Club Plaza was charged in federal court with illegally possessing a firearm. “Hijacking a peaceful protest by attacking police officers engaged in their duty to protect the public carries significant consequences in this district,” […]
Missouri man sentenced to 14 years in prison for role in methamphetamine conspiracy
An Independence, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Daniel W. Pendergrass, 42, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 14 years and one month in federal prison without parole. On June 12, 2019, Pendergrass pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to […]