A Missouri man who worked as a teacher in China was sentenced in federal court for sexually exploiting one of his former students by attempting to blackmail her into sending him pornographic images. Curtis J. Baldwin, 48, Springfield, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to 41 years and eight months in federal […]
Tag: documents
Trenton City Council refers dog breed ban to Trenton Administrative Committee, approve hiring of two police officers
After hearing a request from economic developer Scott Sharp of the North Missouri Development Alliance, the Trenton City Council Monday night authorized Sharp to offer parcels of the city-owned Industrial Park land for potential business and industrial development prospects. The council referred a request to the Administrative Committee on whether to repeal Trenton’s breed-specific dog […]
Princeton man arrested on warrant for violation of probation
The Grundy County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of a Princeton man on a capias warrant for a probation violation on September 9th and on an additional charge on September 10th. Forty-nine-year-old James Leroy Houk allegedly violated his probation on original felony charges of possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. […]
Trenton authorities report the arrest of two on failure to appear in court
The Grundy County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest on September 8, 2021, of two individuals who failed to appear in court. Fifty-three-year-old Barbara Lois Strout of Eldon was arrested in Miller County. She allegedly failed to appear on felony charges of possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Strout’s bond is […]
Judge orders no change – for now – in Missouri’s prisoner health care contractor
(Missouri Independent) – Work to bring a new contractor for prisoner health care services online in Missouri can continue, but the actual transition from Corizon, the current provider, won’t occur until at least early November, Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green ordered Tuesday. Green issued a temporary restraining order blocking the state from canceling its […]
Man pleads guilty to the sexual abuse of a two-year-old and a seven-year-old child in order to produce child pornography
A man pleaded guilty to two counts of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography in connection with his sexual abuse of two minor children. According to court documents, Brian Anthony Gilbert, 33, of District Heights, Maryland, uploaded and advertised at least two video files of child pornography depicting an […]
New York man sentenced to 13 years in prison for sending child pornography to a man in Liberty, Missouri
A New York man was sentenced in federal court for sending images and videos of child pornography to a Liberty, Missouri man who in turn used them to harass the child victim. Joseph J. Balio, 36, of Utica, N.Y., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to 13 years and nine months in federal […]
Missouri woman pleads guilty to sex trafficking a child, faces 15 years in prison
A Missouri woman pleaded guilty in federal court to her role in the sex trafficking of a child. Danna Marie Rodriguez, 36, of Springfield, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to one count of the sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of the sex trafficking of a minor. By […]
November trial set for lawsuit challenging $1.4 billion Missouri prison health care contract
(Missouri Independent) – A trial will be held in early November to determine whether a subsidiary of St. Louis-based Centene will take over the contract for prison health care in the Missouri Department of Corrections. In a hearing Thursday, Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green set Nov. 3 as the first day in the trial where current […]
Roadblocks facing Kevin Strickland’s innocence claim is nothing new for Missouri
(Missouri Independent) – Kevin Strickland was hopeful Thursday was going to be his first step towards freedom after 40 years in prison. A new law that went into effect on Aug. 28 gave Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker a legal avenue to free Strickland, who she says is innocent and wrongly incarcerated. But opposition […]
Governor Parson grants 12 pardons and one commutation
Governor Mike Parson has granted 12 pardons and approved one commutation pursuant to Article IV, Section 7 of the Constitution of the State of Missouri. Official documents have been filed with the appropriate government agencies and are being sent to the individuals. Pardons: Jeffery Haigwood Jesse Bilderback Charles Bolar Stacy White Adam Smith Frederick Moore […]
Missouri Attorney General sends letter to KC Mayor and Jackson County executive providing “legal direction” on mask mandates
While litigation over the mask mandates continues, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt sent a letter to Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and Jackson County Executive Frank White noting the exceptions to the City and County’s mask mandates and providing “legal direction” to the public on these important exceptions, specifically for those with disabilities or those […]
Missouri man sentenced to 15 years in prison without parole for meth trafficking and illegal firearm
A Missouri man was sentenced in federal court for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and illegally possessing a firearm. Maxwell L. Fleming, 25, of Springfield, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 15 years in federal prison without parole. On April 7, 2021, Fleming pleaded guilty to one count […]
Missouri man pleads guilty to shooting female Z-Trip driver 26 times during robbery
A man pleaded guilty in federal court to the armed robbery of a female Z-Trip driver whom he shot approximately 26 times with a rifle from the back seat. Derron D. Nevels, 20, of Kansas City, Missouri, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to one count of robbery and one count of […]
Mexican national sentenced to 15 years in prison without parole for drug trafficking and illegal firearms
A Mexican national was sentenced in federal court today for illegally selling more than a dozen firearms and a large amount of methamphetamine and heroin to undercover federal agents. Heladio Lezama-Palma, 36, a citizen of Mexico who was residing in Kansas City, Missouri, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 15 years […]
Restaurant owner and managers in Missouri among 19 charged in RICO Indictment
The owner of dozens of Mexican restaurants in several states, along with the company’s president, CFO, controller, and sales manager are among 19 defendants charged in a federal racketeering conspiracy to hire undocumented workers. Also among those charged are eight current or former managers of restaurants located in Butler, Springfield, Lebanon, West Plains, Willow Springs, […]
Missouri Secretary of State announces divisions of his office participate in Missouri Bicentennial Time Capsule project
Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft is pleased to announce that several divisions of his office participated in the Missouri Bicentennial Time Capsule project. Created by the Missouri Bicentennial Commission, the capsule will hold items contributed by organizations, institutions, and businesses, as well as local and state government agencies, for a period of 25 years before […]
Chillicothe City Council to hold special meeting
The Chillicothe City Council will hold a special closed meeting on Thursday, August 26, 2021, to consider confidential or privileged communications, real estate, and documents related to a negotiated contract. The meeting will be held in the Chillicothe Municipal Utilities meeting room at 1:30 in the afternoon.
Iowa woman sentenced to 304 months in prison for hate crimes; Attempted to kill two children because of their race
An Iowa woman was sentenced on two hate crimes charges for attempting to kill two minor victims because of their race and national origin. Nicole Poole Franklin, 42, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 304 months in federal prison on each count, with the sentences to run concurrently to each other […]