Sexual Assault

Man from Chula facing charges in Linn County after sexually assaulting daughter

A Chula man faces two felonies in Linn County after he allegedly sexually assaulted his daughter at their house in Brookfield sometime between January 2016 and December 2017. Thirty-seven-year-old Michael Lee Cooper has been charged with second-degree sexual abuse involving aggravated sexual offense and sexual misconduct involving a child under 15. A criminal summons was […]

Police or Law Enforcement General News Graphic

Audio: Missouri police chief says many rural law enforcement agencies lack resources, training and experience

A southwest Missouri police chief says many rural law enforcement agencies often don’t have the resources, training, and experience found in bigger cities. A statewide task force is working to improve services for Missouri’s sexual assault survivors and to better respond to these cases. During a virtual taskforce hearing, Bolivar Police Chief Mark Webb says […]

Crime Graphic

Governor Parson announces grants to 19 agencies to investigate and prosecute criminals who victimize children

Governor Mike Parson announced the state of Missouri has approved more than $1.8 million in grant assistance to 19 agencies across the state to investigate and prosecute crimes that victimized children. “Criminals who victimize children must be investigated, prosecuted, and brought to justice, no matter when they commit these heinous crimes,” Governor Parson said. “The […]

Allen Knoll, who was sent to Agape Boarding School in Missouri, testifies during a committee hearing on Feb-10-2021, about abuse he endured. (Photo by Tim Bommel - House Communications)

Prosecutor files felony charges against five Agape staffers accused of abuse

(Missouri Independent) – Cedar County Prosecuting Attorney Ty Gaither announced Tuesday that five staffers members of Agape Boarding School will be charged with a combined 13 counts of third-degree felony assault — a fraction of what Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt recommended. In March, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson directed the attorney general’s office to assist Gaither […]

Rape Kit or SAFE kit, sexual assault kit

Video/Audio: Missouri’s effort to get thousands of rape kits tested is making progress

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt gave an update on the SAFE Kit Initiative, reporting positive progress in clearing the backlog of untested sexual assault kits through the initiative. The Springfield Police Department also announced that they have completely cleared out their backlog, leaving zero untested sexual assault kits in their inventory. “As a husband, father, […]

Prison Sentence news graphic

Missouri trucker sentenced to 25 years in prison without parole, for transporting minors across state lines and sexually assaulting them

A Missouri, truck driver was sentenced in federal court for transporting two Missouri teenagers across state lines and sexually assaulting them. Cleveland Lee Crumsey, 38, of Republic Missouri, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to 25 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Crumsey to spend the rest of his […]

Child Porn

Former paraprofessional at Missouri high school sentenced to 22 years in prison for producing child pornography

 A former paraprofessional at Blue Springs High School was sentenced in federal court for producing and distributing child pornography. Steven B. Allen, 46, of Independence, Missouri, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to 22 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Allen to spend the rest of his life on […]