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Crime Animal abuse charges filed after April raid in Millersville (05/23/12) Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle on Tuesday filed criminal charges against the woman who owned a Millersville-area home where multiple state and local agencies seized numerous animals in late April. Paulette Maria Tidwell is charged with five counts of misdemeanor animal abuse. She is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges June 4, according to online court records... Yard sale signs illegally cluttering public right of way, Cape police say (05/23/12) Ty Metzger admits it -- it's not the crime of the century. But the Cape Girardeau police officer says that doesn't mean signs placed in publicly owned rights of way aren't a problem. And during the summer, when dozens of yard sales dot the city every weekend, the problem only gets worse. Add to that the fact that it's an election year with plenty of local candidates, and Metzger said the signs are getting out of control... Cape man jailed after altercation with officer (05/23/12) A Cape Girardeau man was in jail Tuesday on multiple charges, including assault on a law enforcement officer, after an incident early Tuesday morning. About 1:15 a.m., Christopher G. Davie, 1300 Victoria Leroy Drive, wrecked a vehicle in the 100 block of Broadway and the vehicle came to rest against some steps, said Cape Girardeau Police Department spokesman Darin Hickey. ... Cape Girardeau police report 5/23/12 (05/23/12) The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWIs... Jackson police and fire report 5/23/12 (05/23/12) The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Assault Firefighters responded to the following call Friday:... Several homes vandalized in north Cape (05/23/12) Residents of an affluent neighborhood in north Cape Girardeau were shocked Tuesday when they woke to find several homes in the neighborhood had been victims of vandalism and burglaries. Dawn Sample and her family were jolted out of bed about 4:30 a.m. when a vandal threw a sprinkler head through the glass door on their Sussex Drive home, she said... Cape Girardeau County coroner says Friday deaths a murder-suicide (05/23/12) Cape Girardeau County Coroner John Clifton on Tuesday officially deemed the incident that left two Arizona men dead and shocked a quiet Cape Girardeau neighborhood Friday a murder-suicide. Police responded to a home at 1129 Landgraf Drive shortly after 3 a.m. and found the bodies of Richard M. Carrube, 23, of Mesa, Ariz., and Joshua Adams, 31, of Youngtown, Ariz., lying in the driveway. Clifton identified the men, who were co-workers, later that day... Trial date set for former Bollinger County deputy in dog shooting (05/23/12) A trial date has been set in the misdemeanor animal abuse case for Kelley Barks, 36, of Marble Hill, Mo., a former Bollinger County Sheriff's Department deputy who shot a small dog during a domestic dispute call in February 2011 and left the department soon after. ... Poplar Bluff police use truck to arrest burglary suspects (05/22/12) POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A traffic stop on a would-be burglar's truck led local officers to then use the truck to arrest three other teenage suspects waiting for a ride following a suspected early morning burglary. At about 1:30 a.m. Monday, Poplar Bluff police officers were dispatched to the south-side Sinclair because of a burglary alarm, said Detective J. R. Keirsey... Study finds 2,000 exonerated after false convictions (05/22/12) WASHINGTON -- More than 2,000 people who were falsely convicted of serious crimes have been exonerated in the United States in the past 23 years, according to a new archive compiled at two universities. There is no official record-keeping system for exonerations of convicted criminals in the country, so academics set one up. ... Cape Girardeau police report 5/22/12 (05/22/12) The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests... Jackson police and fire report 5/22/12 (05/22/12) The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWIs... Two Southeast Missouri men plead guilty to federal drug charges (05/22/12) Two men indicted on federal drug charges in August pleaded guilty in a federal court Monday afternoon. Lamar Anthony White, 48, of Kennett, Mo., pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of crack cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine... Chaffee City Council OKs prescription requirement for pseudoephedrine (05/22/12) CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Chaffee will join numerous other Southeast Missouri cities in requiring a prescription for medicines containing ingredients used to manufacture methamphetamine when a new ordinance takes effect June 1. Woman found guilty of child endangerment (05/21/12) BENTON, Mo. --A woman has been found guilty of causing second- and third-degree burns to her young stepson by submerging him in hot water. Laura Hernandez, 25, was convicted of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child after a two-day jury trial, which ended Tuesday. Scott County Circuit Judge David Dolan set sentencing for June 28... Jackson man faces fourth DWI charge (05/22/12) A 47-year-old Jackson man was charged with driving while intoxicated for the fourth time after he struck a stop sign with his pickup Saturday, according to a probable-cause statement. Authorities booked Ronald Ray Parker into the Cape Girardeau County Jail on a charge of DWI-persistent offender, online court records show... Mo. lawmakers OK broadening 'move over' law (05/22/12) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Gov. Jay Nixon is studying legislation expanding Missouri's "move over" law to include stopped Transportation Department vehicles with flashing amber or white lights. Missouri's existing law only requires drivers to move over for emergency vehicles... Cape Girardeau police report 5/20/12 (05/21/12) The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests The Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWIs... Cape man hospitalized after being stabbed (05/21/12) One man was hospitalized Sunday with multiple stab wounds after an incident in south Cape Girardeau early Sunday afternoon. About 1 p.m., police responded to a report of a stabbing in the 600 block of South Henderson Avenue where they found a 20-year-old man lying in the street with wounds to his back and a leg, officials said... Two Sikeston residents facing drug charges (05/21/12) SIKESTON, Mo. -- Two Sikeston residents were arrested following an investigation into suspected drug activity. Nyisha R. Owens, 29, and Darenick O. Washington, 22, were charged Friday with felony possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia... Unlocked homes and cars hit by thieves in Jackson (05/21/12) Jackson residents who left their cars and homes unlocked were robbed May 14, and the chief of police is encouraging people to properly secure their property. Chief James Humphreys said there was a string of "opportunist crimes" in the Indian Hills and Warren Place neighborhoods. Small valuables were removed from several cars, and two homes believed to have been unlocked, as there were no signs of forced entry... Police: Charleston man dies of gunshot wound (05/20/12) CHARLESTON, Mo. -- A 34-year-old man is dead after a shooting in Charleston on Friday. At 3:30 p.m. the Charleston Department of Public Safety received a report of gunshots in the area of Vine and Finney streets. Officers arrived at the scene to find George O. Moore Jr. of Charleston on the ground with an apparent gunshot wound, according to a news release from the department. He was pronounced dead at the scene... Clay Waller to make court appearance on murder charge June 4 (05/20/12) Clay Waller will make his initial court appearance next month on charges that he murdered his wife and tampered with evidence. Waller is set to appear in a Jackson courtroom on June 4. At this initial appearance, the court will establish whether Waller has counsel or needs a public defender... Koster urges Supreme Court to set execution dates for Bucklew, others (05/20/12) Russell Bucklew has sat on death row for 15 years awaiting his sentence for what local law enforcement officials describe as one of the worst Cape Girardeau County crimes of the past few decades. Now, if Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster gets his way, Bucklew's wait is about to end... Dallas-based Atmos Energy warns of utility scam (05/20/12) DALLAS (AP) - A natural gas company serving a dozen states has warned customers that President Barack Obama will not be paying their bills. Dallas-based Atmos Energy says the scheme falsely claims Obama is providing credits or directly paying utility bills... Two Arizona men dead after apparent murder-suicide in Cape Girardeau (05/20/12) Numerous residents of Cape Girardeau's Landgraf Drive awoke early Friday morning to the sound of gunshots when an apparent murder-suicide left two men dead. Several units from the Cape Girardeau Police Department responded to a residence at 1129 Landgraf Drive shortly after 3 a.m. Friday and found the two men lying in the driveway of the home, both dead from gunshot wounds... Cape Girardeau County sheriff's employees honored (05/20/12) The Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department honored four employees Friday during the annual presentation of the Timothy J. Ruopp Award and the Copeland Excellence Awards. Sheriff John Jordan presided over the ceremony, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of National Law Enforcement Week... Officer injured after interrupting theft (05/18/12) NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- A Butler County sheriff's deputy patrolling in Neelyville interrupted a would-be fuel thief, who allegedly resisted arrest, injuring both himself and the deputy. Cpl. Brandon Lowe was on patrol when he saw a passenger car sitting on the parking lot of the closed JB's Store, at the intersection of Highway 67 and Highway 142, and two subjects standing next to the fuel pumps, explained Lt. Brian Evans... Two men charged for leaving child in car while drinking in bar (05/18/12) PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Authorities have charged two men with first-degree endangering the welfare of a child after they allegedly left a 2-year-old girl in a car while they were in a Perryville bar Wednesday night. Witnesses told investigators Joshua Jason Loucks, 18, of Frohna, Mo., and James Harrison Waller, 26, of Perryville, left the child in a green Mazda passenger car about 10:30 p.m. ... Krajcir pleads guilty to Kentucky charges (05/17/12) PADUCAH, Ky. -- Timothy Wayne Krajcir, the 67-year-old convicted murderer who in 2008 confessed to killing five women in Cape Girardeau, pleaded guilty to four charges in a Kentucky courtroom Wednesday and had 65 years added to the 15 life sentences he was already serving in Illinois... Police seek man who reportedly burned car (05/18/12) Cape Girardeau police were searching Thursday for the man who set fire to an acquaintance's vehicle after they'd been involved in an altercation. The victim and the unidentified neighbor had fought about midnight Wednesday and gone their separate ways, police said. ... Man confronts juveniles breaking into car outside Cape home (05/18/12) No one was injured when a man confronted two juveniles breaking into his ex-wife's car on Good Hope Street late Saturday evening. The unidentified man was returning his daughter to his ex-wife's home in the 1900 block of Good Hope about 10 p.m., and saw two boys breaking into the car, police said. He confronted them and found that one had a fake gun in one hand. The boy did not point the "replica revolver" at the victim, said Cape Girardeau Sgt. Jason Selzer... Cape Girardeau police report 5/17/12 (05/17/12) The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests... Jackson police and fire report 5/17/12 (05/17/12) The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Burglary Jackson Firefighters responded to the following call Tuesday:... Woman charged with killing in Washington has murder charge dropped, will testify against co-defendant (05/17/12) BELLINGHAM, Wash. -- One of two people facing murder charges in the death of a Cape Girardeau native pleaded guilty Wednesday to the felony of rendering criminal assistance and will testify against her co-defendant, Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney David McEachran said... SEMO releases penalties for participants in hazing incident (05/17/12) Southeast Missouri State University has punished eight members of the football team involved in an April 13 hazing incident. According to a university news release, the students will receive a range of penalties after going through the university's judicial review process. ... Alto Pass men indicted on drug charges (05/17/12) Union County, Ill., State's Attorney Tyler R. Edmonds announced yesterday that the Union County Grand Jury has returned indictments against two Alto Pass, Ill., men. John A. Gleghorn, 55, and Billy J. Finney, 36, both of 3200 Bald Knob Road, are each charged with one count of unlawful participation in methamphetamine production and one count of possession of methamphetamine. ... Federal officials recognize drug task force for success of sting (05/17/12) A program designed to assist federal, state and local law-enforcement agencies' efforts to disrupt drug trafficking on Wednesday recognized a multijurisdictional effort that resulted in 14 federal indictments against Southeast Missouri and northeast Arkansas residents... Cape Girardeau man arrested on arson charge (05/17/12) Police arrested a 31-year-old Cape Girardeau man on an arson charge in connection with a fire that burned a shed late Friday evening. David L. McClain was walking with friends along an alley behind 320 N. Middle St. about 11:50 p.m., when he allegedly stopped and used a lighter and a can of hair spray to set a detached garage on fire, said Cape Girardeau Police Sgt. Jason Selzer. No one was injured in the incident. No motive for the fire had been determined Tuesday... Wife of accused East Prairie, Mo. pastor now faces charges (05/17/12) EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. (AP) -- The wife of a southeast Missouri pastor who is accused of sexually assaulting three children is now facing a criminal charge, too. KFVS-TV reports that 36-year-old Beth Lynnette Allen of East Prairie is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Authorities say she knew that her husband, Kenneth Neal Allen, inappropriately touched a child, but failed to report it... First preliminary hearing in 1999 Qulin, Mo., murder case put on hold (05/16/12) POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Testimony began Monday afternoon in the case of a Qulin, Mo., woman accused of conspiring with other family members to kill her stepmother, whose remains were found scattered in a secluded area near Qulin more than 12 years ago... Prosecutors seek murder charge against man involved in fatal crash near Advance (05/16/12) Prosecutors have applied for a second-degree murder charge and an arrest warrant for a Marble Hill, Mo., man who was driving a vehicle involved in a fatal crash earlier this month. Prosecutors filed the warrant Thursday for Donald R. Smith, 35, according to online court records, a week after a fatal May 3 crash in Stoddard County... Cape Girardeau police report 5/15/12 (05/15/12) The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Theft... Jackson police and fire report 5/15/12 (05/15/12) The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Summons... Summons issued in Millersville animal abuse case (05/15/12) The Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney's Office issued a court summons to a Millersville-area woman Thursday to respond to a search warrant that alleged she neglected or abused numerous animals. On April 30, officials served the warrant on property Paulette Maria Tidwell and her husband owned at 1421 Cape Girardeau County Road 354... Arrest made in Cape Xbox theft (05/15/12) A day after a Cape Girardeau man was robbed at gunpoint for an Xbox game console, police made an arrest in the incident. Police arrested Brian Damar Cayce, 19, on Thursday and charged him with first-degree robbery in the Wednesday incident. Shortly after noon, Cayce met the victim in the 1100 block of Cousin Street to buy an Xbox game console, police said. ... Two in Charleston hospitalized after Monday shooting (05/15/12) CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Two men were hospitalized with gunshot wounds after an incident in Charleston late Monday morning. City police responding to reports of gunfire near the intersection of Vine and Lee streets about 10:30 a.m. found Eric Dowell, 31, and Dwight Robinson, 56, both suffering from gunshot wounds, police said. Both were taken to a hospital for treatment... Cape Girardeau police report 5/14/12 (05/14/12) The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWI... Jackson police and fire report 5/14/12 (05/14/12) The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests Firefighters responded to the following call Saturday:... One jailed in Dexter meth lab seizure (05/14/12) DEXTER, Mo. -- An area man is behind bars following the discovery of a meth lab last week. According to Stoddard County Sheriff Carl Hefner, the meth lab was seized Thursday after an ongoing investigation. Sheriff's deputies, along with an officer from the Dexter Police Department, searched a residence on Market Street in Dexter and found a working methamphetamine lab... Two arrested on drug charges in Perryville (05/13/12) PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Ongoing undercover drug investigations in Perry County prompted the arrests of two more people Friday. Katherine A. Reed, 33, and Steven R. Reed Sr., 31, both of Perryville, were taken into custody and face felony drug charges, according to a news release from the Perry County Sheriff's Department. ... Pastor still jailed on sodomy, child pornography charges (05/13/12) CHARLESTON, Mo. -- An East Prairie, Mo., church pastor remains in jail following charges of sodomy and for possessing child pornography. Kenneth N. Allen, 36, pastor of Grace Apostolic Church in East Prairie, is charged with three felony counts of first-degree statutory sodomy of deviate sexual intercourse with a person less than 14 years old and one felony count of possession of child pornography, according to Missouri Case.net... Cape Girardeau police report 5/13/12 (05/13/12) The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWI The Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department released the following. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWI... Dexter man placed on probation in police assault case (05/13/12) BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A Dexter, Mo., man was placed on probation Thursday in connection with a September assault of a Dexter police officer. Terry W. Mace, 45, was sentenced to four years in the Missouri Department of Corrections by Associate Circuit Judge Joe Satterfield, who then suspended the execution of that sentence, and placed Mace on five years' supervised probation, according to entries in Casenet, Missouri's online court reporting system... SE Missouri pastor accused of molesting children (05/11/12) EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. -- Prosecutors have charged the pastor of an East Prairie church with sexually assaulting three young children, and authorities say further charges are likely. Chaffee man facing marijuana, other charges (05/11/12) CHAFFEE, Mo. -- A Chaffee man is in the Scott County Jail on child endangerment and drug-related charges, according to Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter. Kevin D. White, 39, is charged with three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He remains in custody on a $50,000 bond... Anniversary of Jacque Waller disappearance approaches (05/11/12) As friends prepare tributes to Jacque Sue Waller, who went missing June 1 last year, prosecutors are trying to return her estranged husband James Clay Waller to Cape Girardeau County to face a murder charge. And Clay Waller continues the appeal of a five-year sentence for making an Internet threat against Jacque Waller's sister... Cape Girardeau police report 5/10/12 (05/10/12) The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests... Man may face drug charge after meth found on back of motorcycle (05/10/12) POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A Poplar Bluff man may face drug-related and traffic offenses after allegedly fleeing from officers conducting a spot check Tuesday afternoon when they found a methamphetamine lab on his motorcycle. Poplar Bluff police officers were conducting a check for seat belts and liability insurance on South Fifth Street when a motorcycle, driven by Michael Hon, allegedly failed to stop and fled the scene... Two men face drug charges in Scott County (05/10/12) SIKESTON, Mo. -- According to Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter, two Sikeston-area men are in jail on methamphetamine-related charges. Donald W. Freeman, 39, and Dean S. Robinson, 46, have both been charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance and manufacturing a controlled substance. ... Trial set for man, woman accused in killing of Cape Girardeau native (05/10/12) BELLINGHAM, Wash. -- After several delays, the trials of a couple accused of murdering a Cape Girardeau native are set to begin May 21. Keayn Dunya and his girlfriend, Kara Buchanan, pleaded not guilty July 22 in a Whatcom County, Wash., courtroom in the July 3 shooting of Dunya's estranged wife, Kriston Peterman-Dunya, formerly of Cape Girardeau. ... Police seek man who stole Xbox at gunpoint in Cape (05/10/12) No one was injured when a man pulled a handgun on another man in south Cape Girardeau and stole a video game console from him early Wednesday afternoon. About 12:20 p.m., the suspect met with the victim in the 1100 block of Cousin Street in reference to buying the Xbox game console, police said. ... Hayti woman accused of burning child with iron (05/09/12) CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. -- A Hayti, Mo., woman is accused of burning her child with an iron. Angela Smith, 27, is to appear in court Thursday on charges of felony second-degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child. According to Pemiscot County Sheriff Tommy Greenwell, county deputies and officials from the Missouri Children's Division began an investigation in March following a report of a child being physically abused and believed to have been burned with an iron. ... Scooter stolen from outside Cape Girardeau home (05/09/12) The theft of a motor scooter from outside a home in the 100 block of South Lorimier Street left a Cape Girardeau resident puzzled. Police said the owner of the scooter told investigators she parked the vehicle about 11 p.m. Sunday. And even though she still had the key, about 11 a.m. Monday she noticed the scooter was gone, said Cape Girardeau police Sgt. Jason Selzer... Cape man arrested for assault after flagging down police (05/09/12) A 48-year-old Cape Girardeau man who flagged down police was later arrested for allegedly assaulting a man in his home and then struggling with police, said Cape Girardeau police Sgt. Jason Selzer. Lee Williams was being held Tuesday in the Cape Girardeau County Jail on $5,000 cash-only bond. He is charged with assault on a law enforcement officer, third-degree assault and first-degree trespassing, jail records said... Man charged with murder in Tallapoosa woman's shooting death (05/08/12) NEW MADRID, Mo. -- A New Madrid County man was to be arraigned Monday on murder charges. New Madrid County Sheriff Terry M. Stevens reported his officers were notified of the shooting at 9:20 p.m. Saturday. According to Stevens, Timothy Dewayne Richmond, 46, of Tallapoosa, Mo., had gone to his neighbor's house, asking them to call 911... Cape Girardeau police report 5/8/12 (05/08/12) The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests The Department of Public Safety released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWI... Troopers out in full force Memorial Day weekend (05/07/12) WELDON SPRING, Mo. (AP) -- Here's an early warning for those traveling in eastern Missouri over the Memorial Day weekend: Drive the speed limit, and drive courteously. Troop C of the Missouri State Highway Patrol says it will have troopers patrolling at approximate 20-mile intervals on May 25 and May 28, the Friday and Monday of the long weekend. The patrol's plans for Saturday and Sunday of that weekend were not disclosed... Morley man faces charges over Xanax pills (05/08/12) BENTON, Mo. -- A 35-year-old Morley, Mo., man remained in the Scott County Jail on Monday on a felony charge of illegal possession of a controlled substance after he dropped a package of pills in a business, Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter said in a news release... Cape police: Man robbed another for beer money (05/08/12) A Cape Girardeau man was charged with second-degree robbery after he threatened to strike another man with a pipe if the victim didn't give him beer money, said Cape Girardeau police Sgt. Jason Selzer. Investigators said Kerry Glen Maurer, 31, was in a friend's apartment in the 200 block of South Hanover Street about 8:20 p.m. ... Cape man accused of threatening bar employee with knife (05/08/12) A 23-year-old Cape Girardeau man was arrested on a charge of unlawful use of a weapon, a felony, after he allegedly threatened an employee of a downtown bar with a knife early Saturday morning, police said. About 12:40 a.m., an employee of Hot Shots Bar, 15 N. ... Charges amended for man accused in Cape County shooting (05/08/12) A Cape Girardeau man accused of assault and armed criminal action was arraigned Monday morning on amended charges connected to a 2011 shooting. Seth Summers, 32, has been held at the Cape Girardeau County Justice Center on a $200,000 cash bond since an Aug. 28 shooting that left a man with a gunshot wound to the head... Six arrested for property damage in Portageville (05/07/12) PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. -- Authorities have arrested six people in Pemiscot County for property damage following a report from a local farm operation. According to Pemiscot County Sheriff Tommy Greenwell, Pemiscot County deputies and Bootheel Drug Task Force agents arrested six people late Thursday afternoon for property damage... Cape Girardeau police report 5/7/12 (05/07/12) The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests... Jackson police report 5/7/12 (05/07/12) The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWI... Man sentenced in Malden home invasion incident (05/07/12) MALDEN, Mo. -- A man charged with first-degree burglary following a reported home invasion at the residence of a 70-year-old Malden man was recently convicted sentenced to 12 years in prison. Richard O. Jenkins, 38, of Campbell, Mo., was sentenced March 14 by Dunklin County Circuit Court Judge Stephen R. ... One dead in Catron shooting (05/06/12) CATRON, Mo. -- One is dead and another in custody following a shooting near Catron in Stoddard County early Saturday. Stoddard County Sheriff Carl Hefner said the shooting happened shortly after 5 a.m. Saturday. He confirmed that one person is dead and a "person of interest" was in custody but that no charges had been filed as of 10:30 a.m. Saturday... Campbell woman pleads guilty in nursing home fire (05/06/12) A Campbell woman charged with lighting an occupied nursing home bed on fire in November pleaded guilty Wednesday. Joyce Johnson, 59, was charged with first-degree elderly abuse and first-degree arson. She pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree elderly abuse... Dexter woman faces statutory rape charge (05/06/12) DEXTER, Mo. -- A Dexter woman faces a second-degree statutory rape charge after admittedly having sex with a 16-year-old boy. According to a probable-cause affidavit from Prosecuting Attorney Russ Oliver, the boy, shared information of the incident at school, stating he had had sex with Larissa Hurley, 37, in her backyard Tuesday morning before school. When school officials became aware of the claim, they contacted authorities... Missouri woman dead after crash near Advance; patrol suspects manslaughter (05/06/12) ADVANCE, Mo. -- One person is dead after a one-car crash Thursday night on a rural highway east of Advance. Amanda D, Allenbaugh, 28, of De Soto, Mo., was killed after the vehicle she was riding in ran off the roadway and overturned, striking several road signs and a utility pole at around 11:45 p.m. ... Mo. senator blocks prescription database (05/04/12) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- A Missouri senator who is a family physician vowed Thursday to try to block legislation authorizing a government database to track drug prescriptions unless it is put to a statewide vote. Sen. Rob Schaaf, R-St. Joseph, asserted that the prescription database -- which already is authorized in 48 states -- amounts to an infringement on individual liberties for which he is willing "to stand here as long as my legs hold up" on the Senate floor to prevent the measure from coming to a vote in the chamber. ... Jackson man charged with child endangerment after baby suffers broken clavicle (05/04/12) A Jackson man was being held in the Cape Girardeau County Jail on a charge of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child Thursday after police responded to a report of an injured infant being treated at Saint Francis Medical Center. Cat set on fire in Bootheel; reward offered (05/04/12) HAYTI, Mo. -- The Caruthersville Humane Society is offering a reward for information regarding a cat that was set on fire Wednesday night in or around the 200 block of East Jackson Street in Hayti, according to a news release from the humane society... Preliminary hearing for Cape man charged with perjury moved to June (05/03/12) The preliminary hearing for a Cape Girardeau man charged with perjury was rescheduled to June on Wednesday. Verdist Poindexter, 45, faces a perjury charge for allegedly failing to disclose he was biased against police when he was chosen as a juror in a felony drug trial, court records show. Poindexter was chosen as a juror in the January trial of Charles Anthony Robinson, who was accused of trafficking crack cocaine, court records show... Animal abuse case against former Bollinger County deputy moved to Cape County (05/03/12) MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- The misdemeanor animal abuse case for Kelley Barks, 36, of Marble Hill was moved to Cape Girardeau County on Wednesday on a motion for a change of venue, Barks' attorney said. Barks, formerly a deputy with the Bollinger County Sheriff's Department, shot a small dog during a domestic dispute call in February 2011 and left the sheriff's department soon after. ... Police investigating Cape Girardeau home invasion (05/03/12) A Cape Girardeau resident was assaulted during a home-invasion robbery late Tuesday afternoon, police said. About 5:05 p.m., the resident of an apartment in the 1000 block of Bloomfield Street and three other people were in the residence when a man entered, displayed a handgun and demanded money, according to Cape Girardeau Police Department spokesman Darin Hickey... Suspicious fires under investigation in Charleston (05/02/12) CHARLESTON, Mo. -- A string of vacant structure fires occurring within a month's time are under investigation in Charleston. About 12:25 a.m. Monday, the Charleston Department of Public Safety was called to a fire at a vacant residence at 605 W. Commercial St., according to department chief Robert Hearnes... Hungry homeless man gets arrested intentionally (05/02/12) COLUMBUS, Ga. -- Lance Brown was hungry and homeless, so he decided to get thrown in jail by hurling a brick through a glass door at the Columbus courthouse building. Brown, 36, spent nine months in jail before his April trial. On Tuesday, he was sentenced to another month behind bars, and three years of probation that includes a six-month stay in a halfway house... Cape Girardeau police report 5/2/12 (05/02/12) The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests The Department of Public Safety released the following item. Arrests do not imply guilt. Assault... Jackson police and fire 5/2/12 (05/02/12) The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests Firefighters responded to the following call Sunday:... Part of man's ear bitten off during Caruthersville fight (05/01/12) CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. -- A weekend fight in Caruthersville resulted in part of a man's ear being bitten off. About 10:25 p.m. Friday officers with the Caruthersville Police Department responded to a call of a large fight with weapons involved in the 1200 block of Vest Street, according to a news release from the department... Marijuana plants growing near New Madrid city limits seized (05/01/12) NEW MADRID, Mo. -- Sheriff's deputies seized 15 marijuana plants that were near the Mississippi River just outside New Madrid city limits during a narcotic investigation, according to New Madrid County Sheriff Terry Stevens. About 2:30 p.m. Saturday, following a tip from a confidential informant, officers discovered the plants, which authorities estimated had a street value of $15,000. ... DNA test shows no match for Cape Girardeau girl who vanished in 1965 (05/01/12) Martha Hamilton was disappointed when she found out the DNA test results turned out negative for a woman she thought might be her sister, who has been missing since 1965, but she wasn't discouraged. Her search might help others find their missing family members... Prosecutors respond to appeal of Waller threat sentence (04/30/12) Federal prosecutors have responded to Clay Waller's appeal of a five-year sentence imposed on him for a federal Internet threat conviction. Assistant federal prosecutor Larry Ferrell responded to the appeal with a 69-page brief April 17. Waller, 41, pleaded guilty Oct. ... Perry County man pleads guilty to poaching (05/01/12) PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- A 22-year-old Frohna, Mo. man will pay $1,358.50 in fines and court costs after he pleaded guilty last week to 17 charges of taking wildlife illegally, according to a Missouri Department of Conservation news release. Eldon Edgar Luckey made the plea in Perry County on Tuesday, online court records show. ... Poplar Bluff burglary suspect faces preliminary hearing today (04/30/12) POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A Poplar Bluff man charged with burglarizing a home earlier this month while the homeowner was sleeping is set to appear in court today for a preliminary hearing. Jacob Sanoe Kalawaia, 27, is set to appear at 1 p.m. today on charges of felony first-degree burglary and felony first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle... Former Poplar Bluff football coach to stand trial for stealing (04/30/12) Former Poplar Bluff High School football coach Shane Kearbey will be bound over for trial to face a felony stealing charge, ruled Judge John Bloodworth at a preliminary hearing Friday morning. Kearbey was charged June 3 with stealing from a football team fundraiser in which money had been collected for "meal cards" -- the school athletic program buys the cards, redeemable at local restaurants, at a cost of $5 each, and football players sell the cards for $15 each with the profits deposited in the program's reimbursable account.. ... Mo. marijuana measure striving to make ballot (05/01/12) COLUMBIA, Mo. -- A leader of the Missouri legal marijuana movement says the campaign faces an uphill fight to gather enough voter signatures to make the November statewide ballot. A group called Show-Me Cannabis must turn in about 144,000 signatures by early May to get its proposals on the ballot. Cape Girardeau police report 4/30/12 (04/30/12) The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWI... Jackson police and fire report 4/30/12 (04/30/12) The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Summons Firefighters responded to the following calls Saturday:... Man found guilty of assaulting Advance police officer (04/30/12) A man accused of assaulting an Advance police officer was found guilty last week. Scotty Hooe was found guilty of second-degree assault of a law enforcment officer and armed criminal action. According to Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Russell Oliver, on a change of venue from Stoddard County, the jury returned its guilty verdict in 16 minutes... Cape man faces charges in January burglary (04/29/12) Police have arrested a suspect in the burglary of a Cape Girardau business, officials said. Harvey Gaddy, 45, of Cape Girardeau was arrested Wednesday evening and charged with two counts each of burglary and stealing in connection with the Jan. 25 burglary of State Beauty Supply, 615 Broadway, Cape Girardeau police officer Darin Hickey said... Jackson school bus involved in hit-and-run accident (04/29/12) Investigators were searching for a Chevrolet S-10 pickup involved in a two-vehicle accident with a Jackson School District bus early Friday afternoon, said Sgt. Brad Lively of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. No injuries were reported in the incident... Tools, electronics stolen from Jackson auto repair shop (04/29/12) The Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department on Friday was investigating a burglary that occurred just outside Jackson sometime after 8:30 p.m. Thursday, according to Lt. Robert Hull. When employees arrived for work early Friday at Gearheads Auto Repair, 3961 Highway 25, they found that about $30,000 in tools, computers and other diagnostic equipment was missing from the store, said store owner Amy Ybarra... Benton, Mo., man arrested on drug charges (04/29/12) BENTON, Mo. -- A 30-year-old Benton man was in the Scott County jail Friday on $25,000 bond following a narcotics investigation that resulted in his arrest, the sheriff's department said in a news release. A search of Shuntell Walls' home Tuesday revealed about 5 ounces of marijuana and three Ecstacy pills, according to a probable cause affidavit. ... Man arrested after Friday morning crash knocks out power in Cape Girardeau (04/29/12) Cape Girardeau police arrested an Oak Ridge man and charged him with second-degree assault after an injury accident early Friday morning that left 5,187 Ameren Missouri customers without electricity and caused a small gas fire, officials said. Dillon Anthony Meyer, 18, was driving a pickup northbound in the 2300 block of Boutin Drive when the vehicle left the road about 1:20 a.m. ... Three held on drug charges (04/27/12) PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Perry County officials were holding two Perryville residents Thursday on narcotics distribution charges after an undercover drug operation was conducted by the sheriff's office, officials said. Investigators recorded an informant purchasing eight Valium pills from Michele Anne Eudy in January, according to a probable cause affidavit. Eudy was being held on $25,000 bond on a charge of distribution of a controlled substance, a felony... Jackson police and fire report 4/26/12 (04/27/12) The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWI Firefighters responded to the following call Tuesday:... Kentucky officials seek to extradite Krajcir (04/27/12) PADUCAH, Ky. -- Kentucky officials are attempting to extradite Timothy Wayne Krajcir, who in 2008 confessed to killing five women in Cape Girardeau, from a prison in Illinois to their state to face felony charges. Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Seth Hancock said the state is working with Illinois officials to transport Krajcir to Paducah to face the new charges... Two plead guilty to arson charges in Cairo (04/26/12) CAIRO, Ill. -- Two men pleaded guilty to arson charges Wednesday morning in association with fires in Cairo, officials said. Richard Pitcher, 19, and David Patrick, 24, each pleaded guilty to two charges of arson, in association with fires on 33rd Street in Cairo and others near the Mississippi River levee in January 2011. ... Cape Girardeau police report 4/26/12 (04/26/12) The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests... Juror charged with perjury in Cape drug case (04/26/12) Prosecutors have filed perjury charges against a 45-year-old Cape Girardeau man for failing to disclose he was allegedly biased against police when he was chosen as a juror in a felony drug trial, court records show. A preliminary hearing for Verdist Poindexter is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday in Jackson... Trial scheduled for man accused in stabbing (04/26/12) UNION, Mo. -- A three-day trial has been set for Ryan Harkey, the Jackson man accused of murder in a December stabbing outside of a Cape Girardeau bar. The case is scheduled to occur from Sept. 26 to Sept. 28 in Franklin County on a change of venue that was granted March 19. ... Scott County man accused of sexual assault (04/26/12) BENTON, Mo. -- A Bertrand, Mo., man was arrested Monday and charged with sex crimes. Darrell Wilkerson, 23, is accused of deviate sexual assault and incest, according to a news release from the Scott County Sheriff's Department. Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter said in the release that his office received information regarding the alleged crimes a few days ago and started an investigation that resulted in Wilkerson's arrest... Benton woman accused of locking child in bedroom (04/26/12) BENTON, Mo. -- Scott County authorities say a Benton mother faces child endangerment and tampering charges after she allegedly locked her child in a bedroom at night by screwing a piece of plywood over the door. Brenda Daniels, 30, is charged with four counts of first-degree child endangerment and two counts of tampering with a victim... Two robbed at gunpoint in Cape Girardeau on Wednesday (04/26/12) No one was injured when an unidentified man robbed two people at gunpoint on William Street early Wednesday morning, police said. About 1 a.m., two people were sitting in a pickup in the 900 block of William Street when a man opened the passenger door and forced his way into the vehicle, police said. The man displayed a handgun and demanded money from the victims, investigators said... Charges dropped in concealed weapons case (04/25/12) Calling it the "appropriate thing to do" in light of the evidence, prosecutors Tuesday dismissed a weapons charge against a Jackson man who stood accused of wielding a gun during a heated argument at a Cape Girardeau gas station last November. James H. ... Cape Girardeau police report 4/25/12 (04/25/12) The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWI... Jackson police and fire report 4/25/12 (04/25/12) The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWI Firefighters responded to the following call Monday:... Two women arrested on drug charges in Perryville (04/24/12) PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Two women face drug charges following undercover investigations by the Perry County Sheriff's Department. Probable cause statments released by the county's circuit clerk Monday show Kimberly J. Farmer, 31, and Amber Dawn Verville, 24, of Perryville each face six counts of felony possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute... Cape Girardeau police report 4/24/12 (04/24/12) The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests... Jackson police and fire report 4/24/12 (04/24/12) The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Theft Firefighters responded to the following calls Monday:... Statement from Jacque Waller's family on charges against Clay Waller (04/23/12) The family of Jacque Waller put out this statement on Monday, April 23, 2012, regarding the charging of her husband, Clay Waller, with her murder. This morning, Morley Swingle, Prosecuting Attorney for Cape Girardeau County (MO) filed first degree murder charges against Clay Waller in the disappearance of his wife, Jacque, last June 1. He is being held on a one million dollar bond... News release from prosecuting attorney on Clay Waller charges (04/23/12) The following is a news release sent out Monday morning, April 23, 2012, by Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle regarding murder and evidence tampering charges against Clay Waller. On Monday, April 23, 2012, Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle charged James Clay Waller, II, age 41, with first degree murder and two counts of tampering with evidence in connection with the murder of Waller's wife, Jacque Sue Waller, who has been missing since June 1, 2011... A timeline of the Jacque Waller disappearance investigation (04/24/12) The following items come from court documents and Southeast Missourian reporting of the case since Jacque Waller's June 1, 2011 disappearance. May 29, 2011 Clay pleads guilty to federal Internet threat charge against Brenneke. ... Clay Waller criminal charges one step toward 'justice for Jacque,' family, friends say (04/24/12) The holidays were bad. So were four birthdays, hers and those of her young triplets. For the last 11 months, those little moments of life were spent without the woman who was everything and yet something different to each of them -- a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend... Police chief: No more charges expected in Perryville city worker investigation (04/24/12) PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Perryville police chief Keith Tarrillion said by phone Monday that he does not expect further charges will be filed against city workers allegedly involved in misappropriating city property. Among those not yet charged are three city employees fired in the aftermath of an internal investigation... Prosecutor: Time was right to charge Clay Waller with wife's murder (04/24/12) Clay Waller has been charged with first-degree murder in connection to the death of his wife Jacque, according to a news release from Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle. Waller is also charged with two counts of tampering with evidence... Cape Girardeau police report 4/23/12 (04/23/12) The Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests... Jackson police and fire report 4/23/12 (04/23/12) The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests Firefighters responded to the following calls Wednesday:... Paroled bank robber arrested after drugs allegedly found in home (04/23/12) NEW MADRID, Mo. -- A paroled bank robber is back in custody, this time on drug charges. According to a news release from the New Madrid County Sheriff's Department, at about 12:15 p.m. Friday, deputies and New Madrid police officers assisted U.S. Probation and Parole officers in serving a federal search warrant on a residence in New Madrid. Officers located about 12 grams of crack cocaine and marijuana packaged for individual sale, according to the release... Cape Girardeau police report 4/22/12 (04/22/12) The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests The Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWI... Charges filed against Perryville workers accused of stealing city property (04/22/12) PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Three Perryville city workers were charged Friday with felony theft following a two-month probe into stolen city property that has resulted in the firing of at least four employees. Warrants were issued Friday for the arrests of Charles LaRose, Jeremy Meyer and Robert Brown of the public works department... Two plead guilty to using counterfeit money at local stores (04/22/12) Two men have plead guilty to passing counterfeit currency at several Southeast Missouri businesses. Darius A. Lankford, 29, of Huntsville, Ala., pleaded guilty to four counts of passing counterfeit currency and Terry D. Hester Jr., 28, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., pleaded guilty to five counts of passing counterfeit currency in federal court Wednesday... Bail set at $150,000 in Trayvon Martin shooting (04/20/12) SANFORD, Fla. (AP) -- George Zimmerman can be released on $150,000 bail as he awaits trial for the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, a judge ruled Friday during a hearing in which Zimmerman apologize to Martin's parents for the teenager's death. Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester set several conditions for Zimmerman's release, which he said would not occur Friday. ... Former Bollinger County deputy seeks change of venue on animal abuse charge (04/20/12) MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- The attorney for a former Bollinger County sheriff's deputy accused of animal abuse is seeking a change of venue in the case. Kelley Barks, 36, of Marble Hill, entered a plea of not guilty to the charges in March. Barks shot a small dog during a domestic dispute call in February 2011, and left the sheriff's department soon after. ... Three arrested in Perry County drug investigation (04/20/12) PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Two Perryville residents and a Cape Girardeau woman were arrested as part of an ongoing undercover drug operation, according to the Perry County Sheriff's Department. Ethan W. Barnett, 22, of Perryville faces felony charges of distributing a controlled substance from an incident in February and possessing a chemical with intent to manufacture, stemming from a search warrant served April 10 at a residence in Perryville. ... June trial set in 2011 shooting near Neelys Landing (04/20/12) Two Cape Girardeau men will be tried this summer for allegedly shooting a man in the head near Neelys Landing in August. Seth A. Summers, 32, and Jimmy Ray Bell, 29, will stand trial June 20 before Judge William Syler. Both men are charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action... Poplar Bluff man to pay restitution to theater group (04/19/12) POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A Poplar Bluff man was ordered to pay $4,000 in restitution to The Stage Company after earlier pleading guilty to stealing funds from the not-for-profit group that produces shows at the Rodgers Theatre. There was a discrepancy in the amount of money Ronald Gilliland, 63, allegedly took, but before a restitution hearing Tuesday afternoon, Gilliland and his attorney, Carl Miller, met with Stage Company representatives and reached a settlement of $4,000 paid at $150 a month.. ... Man arrested for shooting in Bootheel (04/19/12) CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. -- A Steele, Mo., man has been arrested in connection with a Monday shooting. Lee Houston, 41, was arrested on charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action, the Pemiscot County Sheriff's Department reported Tuesday... Cape Girardeau police investigate two business break-ins (04/19/12) Cape Girardeau police are investigating two burglaries at local businesses this week. Tuesday morning, police responded to a report of a burglary and theft that happened overnight Monday at Cape LaCroix Pet Hospital, 2984 County Road 620. Employees contacted police at 7:35 a.m. ... Cape Girardeau police report 4/18/12 (04/18/12) The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests... Jackson police and fire report 4/18/12 (04/18/12) The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrest Firefighters responded to the following call Sunday:... In federal court: Jackson man given 87 months on drugs, weapons charges (04/18/12) The U.S. attorney's office released the following information Monday for defendants who appeared before U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey. Sentenced Name: Gregory T. Taylor Residence: Jackson Charges: Possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime... Cape Girardeau police report 4/17/12 (04/17/12) The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWI... Court documents: Man charged with attempted robbery set up staged drug deal (04/17/12) PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- A St. Louis man who was arrested Friday in Perry County on drug and attempted robbery charges didn't have drugs on him, but had arranged to sell heroin to a confidential informant, according to court documents. Timmy Tyrell Johnson, 32, was arrested in part based on officers' beliefs that he was planning to rob an informant during a staged heroin deal... Sikeston man charged with assault of police officer (04/16/12) MINER, Mo. -- A Sikeston man faces felony charges after failing to stop his vehicle when approached by law enforcement officers late Thursday in Miner. Danny Graham, 37, is charged with felony assault of a law enforcement officer, felony resisting arrest, driving while intoxicated and other traffic charges, according to a news release from Sgt. Darrin Skinner of the Miner Police Department... Cape Girardeau police report 4/16/12 (04/16/12) The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests... Jackson police and fire 4/16/12 (04/16/12) DWIs Firefighters responded to the following calls Thursday:... Washington state man faces murder, drug charges in Charleston (04/16/12) CHARLESTON, Mo. -- A man arrested Wednesday on murder and drug charges related to a fatal shooting in Charleston is in the Mississippi County Detention Center, but officials are reportedly still seeking the shooter. Andra R. Phillips Jr. , 33, of Puyallup, Wash., is charged with felony second-degree murder and felony distribution of a controlled substance near public housing. He is being held on a $1 million cash-only bond... New Madrid man gets 35 years for fatal stabbing (04/15/12) CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. -- A New Madrid man was sentenced to 35 years in prison for a fatal stabbing. Robert Rooker, 49, was sentenced by Circuit Judge Fred Copeland on Thursday to 25 years in prison for second-degree murder in the death of Patrick Bradley. Rooker was sentenced to 10 years for armed criminal action. Copeland ordered that the sentences be served consecutively... St. Louis man arrested on drug charges in Perryville (04/15/12) PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- A St. Louis man was arrested Friday in Perryville after attempting to rob an undercover informant in a drug investigation, police said. On Friday, the Perry County Sheriff's Department, SEMO Drug Task Force and Perryville Police Department were conducting an undercover investigation. ... Suspect still at large in attempted bank robbery (04/13/12) A man police are seeking as a suspect in the attempted robbery of a Cape Girardeau bank is still at large. Police responded to a call of a robbery at US Bank, 3060 William St., at 12:30 p.m. Thursday. The suspect didn't display a gun, but handed a note to a teller asking for money... Two teens charged in Bernie pavilion fire (04/13/12) BERNIE, Mo. -- Two Bernie teens were released on bond this week after being charged with felony second-degree arson. Sahara Megan Cobb, 17, and Allissa M. Wilhite, 18, were both charged for taking part in burning down the pavilion at Bernie City Park over the weekend... Mo. lawyer pleads guilty for donation to Democrats (04/15/12) ST. LOUIS (AP) -- A St. Louis attorney pleaded guilty Friday to misusing money from an insurance company to funnel contributions to the Missouri Democratic Party as part of scheme that also involved a former governor. Lawyer Edward Griesedieck III pleaded guilty in federal court a day after former Gov. Roger Wilson pleaded guilty to a similar misdemeanor charge... State Senate votes to make squatting a criminal offense (04/15/12) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Failure to vacate after receiving an eviction notice could soon be a criminal offense in Missouri. On Thursday, the state Senate passed a bill that would make it a class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to a $500 fine or six months in prison, if renters fail to move out or file a legal appeal within 10 days of receiving an eviction notice... Search for Cape girl who vanished in 1965 continues with help of Florida private investigator (04/13/12) Jim Smith doesn't deny it -- everyone loves a good mystery. But, for the detective with the Cape Girardeau Police Department, finding out what happened to Elizabeth Gill on that Sunday afternoon in 1965 is only marginally about closing the books on a cold case... Police investigating attempted robbery at Cape Girardeau bank (04/13/12) Cape Girardeau police are investigating a bank robbery. An attempted robbery took place at US Bank, 3060 William St., Thursday afternoon, Cape Girardeau Police Department spokesman Darin Hickey said. No shots were fired, no one was injured and police said initially they didn't think the suspect displayed a weapon... Former Missouri governor pleads guilty in donation case (04/13/12) ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Former Missouri Gov. Roger Wilson has pleaded guilty to a federal charge related to an illegal political donation made after he left office. The plea on Thursday came the same day federal prosecutors announced an indictment against Wilson and St. Louis lawyer Edward Griesedieck III. Scott City police release photos of pharmacy burglary suspect (04/13/12) The Scott City Police Department on Thursday released surveillance photos of a burglary that happened Monday at Medicap Pharmacy, 2220 Main St. Shortly before midnight Monday, officers discovered that the pharmacy's front door had been kicked in and that medication had been taken. An inventory is being recorded of Medicap's stock as well, Lt. Casey Dodd said... 3 to stand trial in elderly couples' deaths (04/12/12) DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Three Doniphan residents have been ordered to stand trial in connection with the deaths of two elderly couples whose bodies were found in their burned homes in 2010. David Youngblood, 47, his 19-year-old daughter, Chantale E. Youngblood, and her then-boyfriend, Keith A. Boyles, 19, appeared Tuesday morning before Associate Circuit Judge Thomas Swindle for arraignment on four counts each of first-degree murder and armed criminal action... Zimmerman makes court appearance in Florida (04/13/12) SANFORD, Fla. -- Neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman made his first court appearance Thursday on a second-degree murder charge in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, as a court document provided new details on the prosecution's case. Cape Girardeau police report 4/12/12 (04/12/12) The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrest... Jackson police and fire report 4/12/12 (04/12/12) The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests Firefighters responded to the following calls Monday:... Scott County commissioners still hopeful about reaching 911 deal with Sikeston (04/12/12) BENTON, Mo. -- Scott County commissioners were surprised by figures presented to the Sikeston City Council on Monday but are still hopeful a 911 consolidation can be worked out. During their Tuesday meeting, commissioners reviewed a spreadsheet prepared by Sikeston city staff which shows anticipated costs associated with the creation and operation of a joint dispatching center... Former tanning salon owner sentenced for taping clients (04/12/12) BENTON, Mo. -- A former Malden, Mo., tanning salon owner was sentenced this week on charges that he secretly taped women at his salon. According to Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney Stephen P. Sokoloff, Joseph Layland, Jr., 37, entered guilty pleas on Monday in Scott County Circuit Court before Judge David Dolan on two counts of possession of child pornography and one count of felony invasion of privacy. ... Second-degree murder charge in Trayvon Martin case (04/12/12) JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- The neighborhood watch volunteer who shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was arrested and charged with second-degree murder Wednesday after months of mounting tensions and protests across the country. George Zimmerman, 28, could get up to life in prison if convicted in the slaying of the unarmed black teenager. Police seek public's help in arson, robbery investigations (04/11/12) MINER, Mo. -- Officials are seeking the public's assistance to solve several recent crimes. On Monday, officers from the Miner Police Department respond to 2846 Hinton Park to investigate a front porch on fire, which was apparently the result of arson, according to Miner police chief Chris Griggs... Cape Girardeau police report 4/11/12 (04/11/12) The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWI... Jackson police and fire 4/11/12 (04/11/12) The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Summons... Incumbents will face challengers in Perry, Scott, Bollinger sheriff races (04/11/12) John Jordan doesn't know how good he's got it. While the Cape Girardeau County sheriff will coast into a fifth term without drawing an opponent, other Southeast Missouri sheriffs have seen candidates -- some familiar, some not -- line up this election year with intentions of taking over... Medication reported stolen during burglaries at Cape, Scott City pharmacies (04/11/12) While it is still unclear if the two incidents are connected, unknown amounts of prescription medications were reported stolen during burglaries that took place at pharmacies in Cape Girardeau and Scott City, police said Tuesday. Cape Girardeau police responded about 6:20 a.m. ... Police: Two suspects confessed in Tulsa shootings (04/10/12) TULSA, Okla. -- Tulsa police documents say the two suspects arrested in a shooting spree that terrorized the city's black community have confessed. The documents given to The Associated Press on Monday say 19-year-old Jake England confessed to shooting three people and 32-year-old Alvin Watts confessed to shooting two... Trayvon Martin death won't go to Florida grand jury (04/10/12) ORLANDO, Fla. -- A grand jury will not look into the Trayvon Martin case, a special prosecutor said Monday, leaving the decision of whether to charge the teen's shooter in her hands alone and eliminating the possibility of a first-degree murder charge... Cape Girardeau police report 4/10/12 (04/10/12) The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests... In federal court: Former deputy sheriff pleads guilty to possession, sale of stolen firearms (04/10/12) The U.S. attorney's office released the following information Monday for defendants who appeared before U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. PLEADED GUILTY Name: Steffanie Kearbey Residence: Carter County, Mo. Charges: Possession and sale of stolen firearms... In federal court: Cape County woman given 60 months for wire fraud, money laundering (04/10/12) The U.S. attorney's office released the following information Monday for defendants who appeared before U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. Sentenced Name: Lisa F. Ervin Residence: Cape Girardeau County Charges: Wire fraud and money laundering... 2 dead, 1 jailed after vehicle plunges into Black River (04/09/12) POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A night of drinking ended the day before Easter with two men dead in the Black River and a Poplar Bluff woman jailed on suspicion of manslaughter. Joshua Phelps, 25, of Poplar Bluff and Jason Carrington, 29, of Malden, Mo., drowned in a submerged vehicle shortly after a one-vehicle accident at 4 a.m. Saturday, Butler County Coroner Jim Akers said... Two arrested in Tulsa shootings; police say revenge may have been motive (04/09/12) TULSA, Okla. -- Two men were arrested Sunday in a shooting rampage that left three people dead and terrorized Tulsa's black community, and police said one of the suspects may have been trying to avenge his father's shooting two years ago by a black man... Jackson police and fire reports 4/9/12 (04/09/12) The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests Firefighters responded to the following calls Sunday:... Sikeston man faces rape, sexual assault charges (04/08/12) BENTON, Mo. -- A Sikeston, Mo., man is being held on charges of raping and sexually assaulting a child over several years. Antonio Rodriguez, 63, is charged with five counts of forcible rape, 15 counts of statutory rape, 10 counts of statutory sodomy, five counts of child molestation and two counts of sexual assault, according to Scott County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Boyd... Five Dexter residents arrested on meth charges (04/08/12) BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Evidence seized Wednesday from a rural Dexter, Mo., home landed five convicted felons in jail facing charges of possessing methamphetamine. Mark Cox, 41, Bradley E. Jackson, 39, David A. Burnett, 48, Darren White, 40, and Chasity K. Jackson, 35, all of Dexter, were charged Thursday with felony possession of methamphetamine... Group shows up at courthouse to support victim in Stoddard County rape case (04/08/12) BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- They numbered more than 40 -- most of them wearing pink T-shirts in support of the victim of an alleged rape that took place in rural Stoddard County in the early morning hours of March 18. The group included the woman who police reportedly found being raped in an isolated cemetery south of Advance, Mo. Family and friends encircled her outside the Stoddard County Justice Center on Thursday morning before a court appearance by her alleged attacker... Judge denies motion to dismiss Waller's state charges (04/08/12) A judge has denied a request by Clay Waller's lawyer to dismiss state harassment and stealing charges against him. Scott Reynolds, Waller's lawyer in the state case, submitted a motion last month to dismiss the case on the grounds that Waller, who is in prison on federal charges, can't get a speedy trial... Ex-deputy has change-of-plea hearing next week (04/05/12) CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (AP) -- A former southeast Missouri deputy is due in federal court next week on a change-of-plea hearing. Court records show that a hearing is scheduled for Monday in Cape Girardeau for 24-year-old Steffanie Kearbey, the former chief deputy in Carter County. She faces three federal counts of possessing stolen firearms and one count of being an unlawful drug user possessing firearms... Bollinger County man pleads not guilty to meth, gun charges (04/06/12) A Bollinger County man charged with drug and firearms offenses as a result of a joint investigation by local and federal agencies pleaded not guilty Thursday. The Bollinger County Sheriff's Department, Bollinger County prosecuting attorney's office, SEMO Drug Task Force, Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives participated in an investigation targeting Jackie Lee Payne, Sr., 59, of Bollinger County... Cape Girardeau police report 4/5/12 (04/05/12) The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWI The Department of Public Safety released the following item. Arrests do not imply guilt. Theft... Jackson police and fire report 4/5/12 (04/05/12) The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWI Firefighters responded to the following calls Tuesday:... Trial date set in former Cape Girardeau teacher's case (04/05/12) A former Cape Girardeau Central High School science teacher accused of assaulting a student will stand trial June 29. Weapons, suspected drugs seized in Bootheel search (04/04/12) CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. -- About 30 weapons were seized along with suspected illegal drugs when two search warrants were served early Tuesday at residences east of Steele, Mo., the Standard Democrat reported. Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Bootheel Drug Task Force, Caruthersville and Steele police departments and the Pemiscot County Sheriff's Department joined in serving the warrants at the residences on Highway 164. ... Bullet holes found in wall at Kennett pound (04/04/12) KENNETT, Mo. -- Police are investigating vandalism at the city's dog pound after bullet holes were found in the building and exterior lights were broken, the Daily Dunklin Democrat reported. According to information provided by the Kennett Police Department, at about 9 a.m., police officer Alan Campbell and animal control officer Tena Petix arrived at the facility to do some work and repairs when they discovered that all of the working lights on the west side and front of the building had been shot out. ... Federal case ends, state case stalls for ex-sheriff (04/05/12) ST. LOUIS -- A year after a Missouri sheriff was arrested in a methamphetamine sting, his court case remains on hold. Cape Girardeau police report 4/4/12 (04/04/12) The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWIs The Department of Public Safety released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWI... Jackson police and fire report 4/4/12 (04/04/12) The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrest Firefighters responded to the following call Tuesday:... Former Carter County sheriff pleads guilty to federal gun charges (04/04/12) Former Carter County, Mo., Sheriff Tommy Adams pleaded guilty Monday in federal court to illegally possessing and selling firearms. Adams, 32, of Ellsinore, Mo., pleaded guilty to four of the five counts he was charged with -- two counts of possession of a stolen firearm, one count of sale of a stolen firearm and one count of being a drug user in possession of firearms before U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh Jr. in Cape Girardeau, according to assistant federal prosecutor Larry Ferrell... Jackson police and fire report 4/3/12 (04/03/12) The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrest Firefighters responded to the following calls Sunday:... Woman stabbed in altercation in Cape (04/03/12) A woman told Cape Girardeau police she was stabbed following an altercation Monday afternoon in the 300 block of South Middle Street. The woman gave police the name of another woman who she claimed stabbed her in the chest while the two fought, chief Carl Kinnison said. After police responded to the 1:30 p.m. call, the victim was taken to an area hospital to be treated for her injuries. No details were available on her condition... Perryville fire chief fired after investigation (04/02/12) PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Perryville's fire chief has now lost his job in the fallout from the investigation into stolen city property. The city's board of aldermen made a unanimous decision March 20 to dismiss fire chief Charlie LaRose. LaRose had already been removed from his position as water/wastewater superintendent, along with three other public works employees, coinciding with a city investigation into the theft of scrap metal owned by the city. ... Cape Girardeau police report 4/2/12 (04/02/12) The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWI The Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWIs... Jackson police and fire report 4/2/12 (04/02/12) The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests Firefighters responded the following calls Thursday:... Sikeston, Mo., brothers arrested on drug charges (04/02/12) SIKESTON, Mo. -- An ongoing drug investigation has led to the arrest of two Sikeston brothers. Demarco Simpson, 25, and his brother, Laumphiauma Simpson, 22, were each charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and second-degree drug trafficking, according to Sikeston Department of Public Safety... Kennett woman facing arson charge (03/30/12) KENNETT, Mo. -- A 25-year-old Kennett woman is charged with arson after allegedly setting fire to a house. According to Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney Stephen Sokoloff, Sherry Thomas is facing charges of second-degree arson stemming from an investigation of a Tuesday afternoon fire that destroyed a home at 1416 Ballard St... Cape Girardeau County murder suspect arraignment set for April 24 (03/30/12) UNION, Mo. -- An April 24 arraignment has been set for Ryan Harkey, the Jackson man accused of murder in a December stabbing outside of a Cape Girardeau bar. The case is being heard in Franklin County on a change of venue that was granted on March 19... Massage therapist accused of secret videotaping (04/01/12) ST. CHARLES, Mo. (AP) -- A Missouri massage therapist is facing charges for allegedly videotaping female clients. Felony invasion of privacy charges were filed Thursday against 38-year-old Kirk Michael Jackson, who operates Atlas Massage Therapy in St. Charles. He is jailed on $75,000 cash-only bond and does not yet have an attorney... Cape Girardeau police report 3/29/12 (03/29/12) The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests The Department of Public Safety released the following item. Arrests do not imply guilt. Theft... Jackson police and fire report 3/29/12 (03/29/12) The Jackson Police Department released the following item. Arrests do not imply guilt. Miscellaneous Firefighters responded to the following call Tuesday:... Union County man charged with arson in Ware, Ill., fires (03/29/12) A Union County man has been charged with arson in connection with five fires in Ware, Ill., in January and March. Union County State's Attorney Tyler R. Edmonds and Union County Sheriff David Livesay announced yesterday that Corey E. Iman, 19, of Ware has been charged with three counts of aggravated arson, one count of residential arson and one count of arson... Dexter teen charged with making terrorist threat (03/28/12) DEXTER, Mo. -- A Dexter teen who formerly attended Dexter schools remains in jail today under a $7,500 cash-only bond, charged with making a terrorist threat. In an interview with Dexter police Friday, Lucas Allen, 17, reportedly admitted to posting the following comment on his Facebook page:... Dexter man arrested on drug charges (03/28/12) BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A happenstance stop by a Stoddard County sheriff's deputy Monday resulted in the seizure of a walking methamphetamine lab. According to Sheriff Carl Hefner, Deputy Keith Haynes was travelling west on Highway 114 when he noticed a man looking over the side of a railing and acting strange... Defense questions Southern Illinois pastor's fitness (03/28/12) JONESBORO, Ill. -- The attorney for Bill Vandergraph, a former Alto Pass, Ill., pastor accused of sexually abusing a minor, has once again raised concerns about his client's fitness for trial. To read the rest of this story, visit www.thesouthern.com... Cape Girardeau homeowner escapes overnight fire (03/28/12) A Cape Girardeau homeowner escaped a fire by kicking through a bathroom wall and climbing out a window Monday night. Firefighters were dispatched to the scene of a house fire at 225 O'Connell Drive at 11:52 p.m., according to Cape Girardeau Fire Department records. ... Sikeston teacher's arrest puts spotlight on electronic communication (03/28/12) The arrest of a Sikeston Junior High School teacher comes on the heels of a March 1 deadline that required Missouri schools to formulate policies to protect students in electronic communication with teachers. The teacher, Andrew Delles, 28, of Jackson, faces felony charges for sexual misconduct after he allegedly touched a 14-year-old student earlier this month. He is also charged with enticement of a child for allegedly texting explicit photographs of himself to the same student... Judge to look at case law before deciding whether to try man for getting gun during gas station argument (03/28/12) Calling it a "close call," a judge on Tuesday said he needs another month to decide whether a Jackson man should stand trial for grabbing a gun during a heated exchange at a Cape Girardeau gas station last November. Judge Scott Thomsen heard from three witnesses during a preliminary hearing for James H. ... Scott City man accused of assaulting infant (03/28/12) BENTON, Mo. -- A Scott City man is charged with felony assault on an infant. Tyler C. Ford, 19, is charged with first-degree assault for allegedly causing serious injury Thursday to a 2-week-old by "tossing [the baby] toward the couch causing the baby to hit the floor instead," according to a felony complaint and probable-cause documents filed by Scott County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Boyd... Charleston man charged with molestation (03/27/12) CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Bond has been set at $200,000 for a Charleston man charged with molesting an 11-year-old girl. The Charleston Department of Public Safety reported Friday the arrest of 30-year-old Wendell Williams. He is being held at the Mississippi County Jail on charges of first-degree statutory rape, first-degree statutory sodomy and two counts of first-degree child molestation... Poplar bluff man charged with molesting 1-year-old girl (03/27/12) POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A Poplar Bluff man is in jail charged with molesting an infant left in his care for a short time over the weekend. Lance Walter Hada, 20, was charged with first-degree child molestation by Butler County Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Barbour. He is being held in the Butler County Jail on a $50,000 bond... Farmington woman, 66, gets prison time for embezzlement (03/27/12) ST. LOUIS -- An eastern Missouri bank employee has been sentenced to more than two years in prison for embezzling about $444,000 from a customer account. The sentence for 66-year-old Thelma Black of Farmington was handed down Monday in U.S. District Court in St. Louis. Black was also ordered to pay restitution of $451,000... Two charged with drug distribution in Perry County (03/27/12) PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Two men have been arrested on felony drug charges in an ongoing investigation by the Perry County sheriff's department. Clyde Vernon Gowen, 34, of Perryville was arrested last week according to a news release from Sheriff Gary J. Schaaf, Monday. Gowen was charged with a felony for selling two hydromorphone pills, known by the trade name Dilaudid, for $50 to a department informant, according to a probable-cause statement... Jackson police and fire 3/27/12 (03/27/12) The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrest Firefighters responded to the following calls Thursday:... Cape Girardeau police report 3/27/12 (03/27/12) The Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWI... Men suspected of stealing from Perry County businesses sought in other parts of Mo., around U.S. (03/26/12) Authorities in other parts of Missouri and in other states are also seeking those accused of thefts from several Perry County businesses. Law enforcement agencies are tracking a suspected crime ring that slips unseen into business offices of various industries at night and makes off with thousands in payroll checks and petty cash... Police investigating Sunday night shooting in Cape (03/26/12) Cape Girardeau police are investigating a shooting that happened late Sunday at Hanover Street and Cousin Street. Police received a call of a person down at about 9:45 p.m., according to Cpl. Rodney Edwards. Cape man charged with statutory sodomy (03/27/12) A Cape Girardeau man has been charged with statutory sodomy stemming from an alleged rape of a 7-year-old girl in August. Police spokesman Darin Hickey said officers arrested George W. Jones, 60, over the weekend at his residence. Jones was a friend of the girl's family, Hickey said. The rape was reported in January... Cape Girardeau police report 3/26/12 (03/26/12) The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWIs... Former Thebes, Ill., police officer sentenced to probation (03/23/12) CAIRO, Ill. -- A former Thebes, Ill., police officer plead guilty Thursday to official misconduct after allegedly releasing a person from custody in exchange for sexual favors. Terry Crowe, 39, of Mounds, Ill., was arrested in July 2011, after a yearlong investigation... Deputy who shot, killed dog last year sues sheriff's department (03/25/12) A Bollinger County sheriff's deputy who resigned after shooting and killing a Chihuahua last year is now suing the sheriff's department for employment discrimination, retaliation and Sunshine Law violations after being charged with animal abuse. In court documents filed Friday, Kelley Barks, 36, of Marble Hill, maintains she put the dog down after it attacked her only because she was instructed to do so by the Bollinger County veterinarian while responding to a domestic dispute... Dexter man pleads guilty to resisting arrest (03/25/12) BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A Dexter, Mo., man pleaded guilty Wednesday to a resisting arrest charge in connection with a September assault of a Dexter police officer. Terry W. Mace, 45, pleaded guilty to resisting arrest before Presiding Circuit Judge Stephen Sharp, according to Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Russ Oliver... Advance man arraigned on rape, other charges (03/25/12) BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- An Advance, Mo., man charged in connection with a recent rape was arraigned in a Stoddard County courtroom Thursday morning, the Daily Statesman reported. Steven Clark Rendelman, 51, will reappear in court April 5. He was arrested early March 18 on suspicion of a rape that began with an alleged abduction from Charley Brown's Bar in Advance. ... Hayti mayor arrested on theft charges (03/25/12) HAYTI, Mo. -- Hayti Mayor Bobby Watkins, 39, was arrested Tuesday after the Pemiscot County prosecutor's office filed a warrant for another charge for the mayor for conspiracy of theft/stealing of property or services over $500, according to a news release from Pemiscot County Sheriff Tommy Greenwell... Sikeston teacher arrested for touching, sending photos to 14-year-old student (03/25/12) SIKESTON, Mo. -- A junior high teacher in Sikeston is facing felony criminal charges after he allegedly sent explicit photographs and inappropriately touched a 14-year-old student, police said Friday. Andrew J. Delles, 28, of Jackson, was charged with three counts of enticement of a child and three counts of sexual misconduct of a child, after the Sikeston R-6 School District reported that he was having inappropriate conduct with a student... Report: Chaffee mayor suggested shooting dog (03/23/12) CHAFFEE, Mo. -- A small doggie door at the Elfrink's two-story white house on Elliott Avenue no longer swings open to let Lexi outside. The rat terrier and shih tzu mix isn't using her custom-made ramp to get to her fenced side yard, either. Her death, reported to be caused by a gunshot by a Chaffee police officer Feb. ... Man sought in Dexter McDonald's assault (03/23/12) DEXTER, Mo. -- Dexter police are looking for a man accused of assaulting a teenage girl in the restroom of the local McDonald's on March 16. Police received a call just before 2 p.m. that a man in his early 20s entered the women's restroom at McDonald's at 909 West Business Highway 60 and assaulted a 17-year-old girl who had entered the restroom earlier with a friend... Police release documents related to chase, self-shooting (03/23/12) The Cape Girardeau Police Department this week released 27 pages of documents to the Southeast Missourian including statements from police involved in the March 6 police chase and self-shooting of Sean M. Smith. The documents also include witness accounts of the chase and fatal shooting... Oran, Mo., teenager faces sex crime charges (03/23/12) BENTON, Mo. -- An Oran, Mo., teenager is in custody and faces several charges following a sexual abuse investigation by the Scott County Sheriff's Department. James C. Griswell, 17, was arrested Wednesday and charged with two counts of deviant sexual assault, first-degree sexual misconduct and third-degree assault. Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter said in a news release that the department began its investigation earlier in the week after several victims came forward with reports of crimes... 'Trust your instincts': Cape officials say trails, parks are safe despite recent assault (03/22/12) Especially during the warmer months, Jessica Cinco can frequently be found along the Cape La Croix Recreational Trail. So when the Cape Girardeau resident learned earlier this month that a woman was forced at gunpoint from the path of Cinco's regular bike rides, it naturally left her a bit shaken... Federal judge declares Mo. flag burning statute unconstitutional (03/22/12) A federal judge's ruling Tuesday about the legality of flag desecration tells people what they already knew, according to Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle -- that the Missouri statute prohibiting it is unconstitutional... Lawyers must adequately help on plea deals, Supreme Court says (03/22/12) WASHINGTON -- Plea bargain negotiations between criminals and prosecutors will now come under constitutional scrutiny because a divided Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that convictions can be overturned if defense lawyers don't adequately assist clients in deciding whether to accept such offers... Police search for parole absconder in connection with kidnapping (03/22/12) POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Local authorities are searching for a parole absconder wanted for questioning in connection with a Tuesday suspected kidnapping and robbery that began on the Walmart Supercenter parking lot. At about 7:15 a.m. Tuesday, Poplar Bluff Police Lt. David Sutton said, a 27-year-old Poplar Bluff woman came to the police department to report "she had been kidnapped and robbed as she left Walmart" at about 6:30 a.m... Cape Girardeau police report 3/22/12 (03/22/12) The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests... Jackson police and fire report 3/22/12 (03/22/12) The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests Jackson Firefighters responded to the following calls Tuesday:... Mother of 18-month old who tested positive for cocaine pleads guilty (03/21/12) The Cape Girardeau mother whose 18-month-old daughter tested positive for cocaine Jan. 1 has pleaded guilty, although only to one lesser count of second-degree child endangerment, prosecutors said. Brooke Whitener, 31, was sentenced to two years of probation March 6, said Cape Girardeau County assistant prosecuting attorney Frank Miller. She was originally charged with three counts of felony child endangerment and faced up to seven years in prison for each count... Vanduser man charged with kidnapping (03/21/12) BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A Vanduser, Mo., man is in jail following an alleged kidnapping in Advance, Mo. Charlie Dale Reynolds, 34, has been charged with felony kidnapping, felony first-degree burglary and misdemeanor third-degree domestic assault. According to a probable-cause affidavit, Sunday afternoon, a man invited a woman into his apartment, and Reynolds forced his way in as the woman entered. ... Fredericktown man sentenced in fatal overdose (03/20/12) JACKSON, Mo. (AP) - An eastern Missouri man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for supplying the drugs and alcohol that led to a fatal overdose. The Park Hills Daily Journal reported Monday that 26-year-old Steven Harbour, of Fredericktown, previously pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the death of 20-year-old Nicole Jones. She died in a Perryville hotel room last June... Mo., Ill. attorney general offices sue tax preparation business (03/21/12) Missouri and Illinois are cracking down on a national tax preparation chain known to target low-income individuals, alleging violations when it comes to refunds and hidden fees. Attorneys general in both states have filed lawsuits against MoneyCo USA, also known as Mo' Money, which operates tax preparation offices in 17 Midwestern and Southern states and Washington, D.C... Sheriff: Theft ring targets Perry County businesses (03/21/12) Law enforcement authorities in Perry County are seeking information to aid in identifying and locating several suspects they believe are responsible for theft of payroll checks and petty cash at several businesses. The Perry County Sheriff's Department reported in a news release that several men have entered businesses seeking job applications and returned and burglarized the businesses later when they are closed... Police: Cape man leads police on foot chase, fires shot (03/21/12) Cape Girardeau police arrested a suspect Tuesday in connection with a foot pursuit and a shot fired at officers in a neighborhood near the intersection of Hanover and Bloomfield streets Monday night. Otis D. Rutherford, 25, of Cape Girardeau was arrested following an investigation by police and charged with four felonies after he allegedly ran when confronted by officers around 10:20 p.m. Monday... Advance, Mo., man arrested after woman alleges brutal rape (03/21/12) BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- An Advance, Mo., man is behind bars today following a weekend rape that resulted in an ensuing chase and shots being fired. Steven Clark Rendelman, 51, of Advance, has been convicted of rape twice in the past 30 years. Rendelman had convictions in 1984 in Cape Girardeau County and in 1990 in Stoddard County. A third incident in 2009 in Cape Girardeau County led to a guilty plea of sexual misconduct... Escaped New Madrid County inmate back in jail (03/20/12) MINER, Mo. -- A New Madrid County Jail fugitive who escaped early Saturday was reportedly caught by authorities a few hours later in Scott County. Around 11 a.m. Saturday, 31-year-old Michael P. Blackmon was reportedly located at a hotel in Miner and taken into custody to be transported back to New Madrid. No further details regarding the incident were available... Perryville releases names of employees investigated for property theft (03/20/12) PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Perryville officials have released the names of six city workers investigated in connection to property theft that resulted in the firing of four employees, including the director of public works. In closed session on Feb. 21, City Administrator Brent Buerck informed the board of aldermen that four employees allegedly took wire from a city facility to a recycling center in St. ... Cape Girardeau County murder suspect gets change of venue (03/20/12) A Jackson man accused of murder in connection with a December fatal stabbing will now be in court in another county. On Monday a change of venue to Franklin County was granted to Ryan Harkey, who is charged with stabbing Jerry Conrad to death outside a downtown Cape Girardeau bar...