Gavel and Law book news graphic

Brookfield man who led authorities on multi-county pursuit bound over to Division One of Linn County court

A felon who reportedly led law enforcement on a multi-county pursuit starting in Linn County and ending at Marshall in February appeared in the Associate Division of Linn County Circuit Court on Thursday. Matthew Guilford of Brookfield has been charged with felony first degree trafficking drugs or attempt—over statutory amount and possession of a controlled […]

Frederick Joseph Lutz arrest

Retired priest charged with sex-related crimes in southeast Missouri

A retired Roman Catholic priest from southern Missouri is now charged with four sex-related felonies in southeast Missouri’s Stoddard County, involving alleged sexual abuse of minors. Missourinet’s Cape Girardeau television partner KFVS reports 76-year-old Frederick Joseph Lutz was arrested Wednesday morning in Springfield, where he now lives. Stoddard County Prosecutor Russell Oliver has charged Lutz […]

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

Mexican national pleads guilty to illegally entering the United States eight times

A Mexican national pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday to illegally entering the United States for the eighth time. Jesus Vargas-Melendez, 40, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Maughmer to unlawfully reentering the United States after having been previously deported. By pleading guilty, Vargas-Melendez admitted that he illegally entered the United States […]

USDA resumes signups for Conservation Reserve Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced this week that it will resume signups for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) under both general and continuous enrollment beginning Monday, Dec. 9. Established in 1985, CRP is considered one of the nation’s most successful private lands conservation programs. The general signup is the first held since 2016 […]

Child Sex Crimes news graphic

Missouri sex offender pleads guilty to child pornography

 A Springfield, Missouri, man with a prior conviction for transporting child pornography pleaded guilty in federal court to another child pornography offense. David Todd Beresky, 42, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to possessing child pornography. Beresky remains in federal custody. At the time of the offense, Beresky was on supervised […]

Child Sex Crimes news graphic

Chillicothe Police Department begins investigation into sexual misconduct, enticement of a minor

The Chillicothe Police Department began an investigation Tuesday on sexual misconduct, statutory rape, sodomy, and enticement of a minor. Police Chief Jon Maples reports Chillicothe School staff contacted officers in reference to an allegation by a juvenile female in reference to the enticement of a minor while at home. Officers of the police department, Livingston […]