This week the Department of Justice announced the nationwide recovery or identification of 103 child victims and the arrest of 67 sex traffickers through the FBI-led Operation Independence Day. This initiative was a month-long coordinated law enforcement effort, focused on the recovery of child sex trafficking victims and providing them with the assistance they needed. […]
Troop B of the Highway Patrol in Macon is seeking individuals interested in attending the troop’s 15th Community Alliance Program beginning next month. The program, which presents an opportunity to citizens to gain insight and understanding of the training and duties of the Highway Patrol, will start at the Troop B Headquarters in Macon September […]
The widespread opioid epidemic is considered a public health crisis and for years has been an ongoing challenge in Missouri and across the nation. Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) continues to be innovative in its efforts to help people affected by this epidemic. “What we are dealing with in Missouri is an […]
Two men have been indicted by a federal grand jury for a conspiracy in which they fraudulently profited from hundreds of millions of dollars in federal government contracts they were not entitled to receive, which were set aside for small businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, and minorities. Patrick Michael Dingle, 48, of Parkville, […]
A Mexican national was sentenced in federal court for attempting to sell about 15 pounds of methamphetamine to an undercover law enforcement officer after illegally reentering the United States. Javier Corona-Verduzco, 36, of Montclair, Calif., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to 30 years in federal prison without parole. The court also […]
A Republic, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for the coercion and enticement of a minor. Clifford Benjamin Kinkade, 37, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 20 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Kinkade to 15 years of supervised release following incarceration and ordered him […]
Missouri U.S. Senator Roy Blunt says a committee he chairs has passed an emergency border funding bill. The 4.5 billion dollar bipartisan deal would shelter and care for kids crossing the southern border illegally and without their parents. Blunt says money to take care of the kids is expected to dry up by the end […]
Various weekend investigations involving drug allegations are in the news today from the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department. A search warrant obtained by Sheriff Cox was served Friday evening and resulted in the seizure of alleged methamphetamine and methamphetamine drug paraphernalia. Officers arrested 33-year-old Steven Burns of Chillicothe who was transferred to the Daviess-Dekalb County Regional […]
A Garden City, Missouri., woman and a Licking, Missouri, man pleaded guilty in federal court to their roles in a conspiracy to distribute at least 15 kilograms of methamphetamine. Lisa A. Fletcher, 51, and Ricky F. Hazen, 63, pleaded guilty in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to participating in a conspiracy […]
A Springfield, Missouri., man was sentenced in federal court for recording his sexual abuse of a child victim. George Ralph Pollock, 77, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 30 years in federal prison without parole. On April 3, 2018, Pollock pleaded guilty to the sexual exploitation of a child. Pollock admitted […]
A former Pineville, Mo., youth pastor was indicted by a federal grand jury for producing child pornography. Ryan Daniel Crawford, 32, currently a resident of Jacksonville, Arkansas, was charged with producing child pornography between November 29 and December 18, 2017. Crawford was formerly the associate pastor at First Baptist Church in Pineville. The charge contained […]
Branson’s duck boats are taking the season off. Alisa Nelson with Missourinet files this report. Ride The Ducks Branson boats are staying docked this tourist season. The company announced on its website that ongoing investigations into last summer’s fatal boat sinking has led to its decision not to offer the boat tours this […]
A former Lebanon, Missouri, teacher was sentenced in federal court for receiving and distributing child pornography over the Internet. Brandon Hileman, 26, of Lebanon, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to eight years in federal prison without parole. Hileman, formerly a math teacher at Joel E. Barber Junior High School in […]
Two Mexican nationals have pleaded guilty in federal court to illegally possessing firearms after police officers interrupted them shooting handguns in their backyard. Juan Carlos Cuevas-Alvarez, 33, a citizen of Mexico unlawfully residing in Kansas City, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner on Monday, March 11, 2019, to being an illegal […]
The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office has conducted multiple drug investigations this month. Those investigations included one near U. S. Highway 36 and LIV 255 last Thursday. Sheriff Steve Cox reports a free air search around a vehicle by Deputy Nicholas Leadbetter and K-9 Zaki and further investigation led to the seizure of a methamphetamine smoking […]
A former teacher in Cameron, Mo., has been indicted by a federal grand jury for using three minor victims to produce child pornography. William Derek Williams, 39, was charged in a four-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019. Williams formerly was a high school language […]
Three Cameron, Mo., residents are among five defendants who have pleaded guilty to their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Benjamin W. Clark, 26, of Cameron, pleaded guilty today before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Matt J. Whitworth to the charge contained in a Nov. 16, 2017, federal indictment. Clark is the fifth defendant to […]
Missourians are frequently subjected to aggressive collection efforts by air ambulance providers totaling tens of thousands of dollars in a practice called balance billing, according to a detailed report released today by the Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration (DIFP). To assess the scope of the problem, the DIFP initiated a data call for […]
Livingston County Sheriff Steve Cox reports a fugitive from Bedford taken into custody Wednesday morning escaped from a patrol vehicle while in restraints and fled on foot before being caught again and placed in additional restraints. Three deputies and two state troopers originally found 29-year-old Linn Hoskins III in the back of a stolen pickup […]
The Trenton Police Department and the Midland Empire Alcohol Task Force conducted alcohol retail outlet compliance checks in Trenton on Saturday, January 5th. According to Chief Rex Ross, the checks resulted in one under age purchase of an alcoholic beverage from a local business and a 32-year-old Blue Springs man cited for alleged supplying liquor […]
