(Missouri Independent) – Despite dozens of students coming forward sharing allegations of abuse they suffered at Christian reform schools across Missouri, the state Department of Social Services said Monday that they have no oversight over such facilities. That’s because they’re unlicensed — and allowed to be under a Missouri law that exempts facilities operated by religious organizations. […]
The Life Options Green Hills Pregnancy and Health Center in Trenton has received a $2,500 donation from America’s Farmers Grow Communities sponsored by the Bayer Fund. The donation will be used to start the center’s sexually transmitted infection and disease testing program. Part of the mission of Life Options is to promote sexual health within […]
A Polo man charged in Daviess County with promotion and possession of child pornography was sentenced on November 4th. Jay Curtis Guhlke, who pleaded guilty in September, was sentenced to 10 years in the Department of Corrections on promoting child pornography, first degree, and 10 years on possession of child pornography, second or subsequent offense, […]
A Newburgh, New York, man pleaded guilty in federal court to attempting to produce child pornography after soliciting sexually explicit photos and videos of two 8-year-old twin sisters in Missouri. Charles Junious Adams, 38, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr., to one count of attempting to produce child pornography. The father […]
(Missouri Independent) – Missouri Democrats had another disappointing night in legislative elections Tuesday, losing in two state Senate districts crucial to their hopes of cracking the Republican supermajority in the upper chamber. Republicans held a key Senate seat by re-electing Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden of Columbia in the 19th District in central Missouri. As […]
Of the 20 residences checked by Trenton Police on Halloween night, Chief Rex Ross reports four violations were identified in regards to the Halloween restrictions for sexual offenders as outlined by city ordinance and a state statute. Chief Ross said incident reports are being prepared on these violations and will be forwarded to the prosecutor. […]
A change of venue has been granted for a Kirksville woman charged with murder—first degree after a child death investigation in May. Online court information shows 28-year-old Makuya Stephanie Kambamba’s case was transferred from Sullivan County to Harrison County. A plea or trial setting is scheduled for November 19th. Kambamba has also been charged with […]
The Trenton Police Department advises that they will be conducting compliance checks for registered sexual offenders in regards to Halloween restrictions defined by City Ordinance 215.1550 and State Statute 589.426. Sexual Offenders must follow these restrictions on Halloween: Avoid all Halloween-related contact with children; Remain inside his or her residence between the hours of 5:00 […]
A Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court for video recording his sexual abuse of a 15-year-old victim. Daren Watts, 28, of Springfield, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 20 years in federal prison without parole. Watts will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison […]
A Gallatin teen has been charged in Daviess County with the felonies of statutory sodomy or attempted sodomy, deviate sexual intercourse, with a person less than 12 years of age, and child molestation, second degree. Online court information shows 17-year-old Joshua Reuben Schmidt’s bond is $5,000 cash only with supervision by Supervision Services. He is […]
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced earlier today a new, first of its kind initiative to combat instances of human trafficking by targeting illicit massage businesses across the state. The Hope Initiative targets illicit massage businesses that may be engaging in human trafficking and advertising on illicit websites while posing as a legitimate business. The initiative’s […]
The Trenton R-9 Board of Education on Tuesday evening, October 13th approved, on a split vote of six to one, a school calendar update involving converting student days to all staff workdays. Board Member Corey Leeper was the only opposing vote. Students will not be in class on October 26th and December 7th, but staff […]
A Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court for illegally possessing firearms, including purchasing firearms advertised on the internet, and of stalking two female victims associated with massage parlors in Kansas. “This armed and dangerous criminal, with a history of stalking and violence toward women, will spend the rest of his life in prison,” said […]
Authorities report a Trenton man is being held in jail without bond regarding allegations of sexual contact with an underage person. The charge is listed as sexual abuse in the first degree. Thirty-six-year-old Juan Gallegos was arrested Thursday and is to appear next Tuesday in the Associate Division of Grundy County Circuit Court. Gallegos, according […]
A Missouri, man who worked as a teacher in China has pleaded guilty in federal court to sexually exploiting one of his former students by attempting to blackmail her into sending him pornographic images. Curtis J. Baldwin, 47, of Springfield, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge David P. Rush on Monday, Oct. 5, to […]
Bookworms and literature buffs in Missouri are celebrating freedom of choice, of reading materials, and denouncing attacks on what they say is their First Amendment right to read. Banned Books Week, which spotlights attempts to censor books, recently took place. Banned Books Week brings to light more than 600 books, films, and other literary materials […]
A Unionville man has been charged in Putnam County with three felony counts of statutory sodomy or attempted sodomy—deviate sexual intercourse—person less than 12 years of age and four felony counts of child molestation—second degree—child less than 12 years of age. Ralph Saavedra’s bond was set at $50,000 cash only. A probable cause statement from […]
A felony charge of statutory rape or attempted rape—first degree—person less than 14 years of age has been filed in Livingston County against an 18-year-old stemming from an alleged incident in August. Online court information indicates a criminal summons was issued for Xander Wayne Mitchell, and he is scheduled for an initial appearance on October […]
A Brookfield man has been charged in Linn County with 33 counts of felony possession of child pornography—first offense. Forty-four-year-old James Dean Jackson also faces two felony counts of sexual exploitation of a minor child and one count of possession of child pornography—second and subsequent offense or possession of more than 20 pictures, one film, […]
An El Dorado Springs, Missouri, woman and a North Plainfield, New Jersey, man were sentenced in federal court for producing child pornography. Amanda Errin Hunt, 41, and Daniel Thomas Baggott, 38, each were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 18 years and four months in federal prison without parole. The court also […]
