Regional briefs 12/27/15

Sentencing delayed in terror-threat case

KENNETT, Mo. -- Sentencing was delayed Wednesday for a Cape Girardeau teen accused of making terror threats toward Kennett High School in September, the Daily Dunklin Democrat reported. Dunklin County Assistant District Attorney Jonce Chitester recommended Deonte Stracener, 17, serve four years in prison. Stracener's lawyer, Dan Harnick, said the sentence recommendation was too harsh because Stracener had no previous criminal history. He urged a suspended sentence. "This is something that will follow him around the rest of his life and he will be categorized as one of those Islamic terrorists," Harnick said. "Stracener made a comment trying to get the attention of a girl. He only sent the message to one person, who then sent it to a friend, who then posted it on a website that was viewed by teachers and students. The gun that was in the picture was simply an image that was pulled from Google Images." Circuit Judge Robert Mayer said he had some questions for the Probation and Parole Department and reset the sentencing to Jan. 13.

Teen pleads not guilty on gun, drug charges

BENTON, Mo. -- A Scott County teen entered a plea of not guilty and waived a formal arraignment after he was arrested last month on suspicion of bringing a gun and marijuana to school. Landon Michael Urhahn, 18, of Benton appeared Tuesday with his attorney before Judge David Dolan, according to the Standard Democrat. Urhahn faces charges of felony unlawful use of a weapon, misdemeanor possession of up to 35 grams of marijuana and misdemeanor unlawful use of drug paraphernalia. On Nov. 18, Urhahn was part of a large argument at Kelly High School in Benton after an assault that had taken place off school property several days earlier, according to Scott County Sheriff's Department. Urhahn later was arrested on suspicion of bringing a 9 mm pistol to school, and marijuana allegedly was found in his vehicle. Kaden Robert's family attorney confirmed last month Urhahn was the Kelly High School student who was driving the truck when Kaden Robert was accidentally killed with a gun in June 2014.

Man in bicycle accident dies

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A man who sustained head injuries in a bicycle accident last week has died, and his family was located, reported the Daily American Republic. After the accident, authorities began searching for the family of the victim, identified as Brian Conley, 57, whose last known address was on Hampton Court in Poplar Bluff. What caused the bicycle to crash remains a mystery. Butler County Coroner Jim Akers said Conley died Wednesday. He said Conley's family had been found and was with him when he died. According to earlier reports, police responded Monday afternoon to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center for a report of a patient allegedly in possession of a controlled substance. Paramedics identified the man as Conley and said he suffered head trauma in a bicycle accident. A police investigation indicated the bicycle had been stuck by another vehicle. Witnesses said they found Conley lying on his back with the bicycle nearby. After receiving treatment at the Poplar Bluff hospital, Conley was transported to Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, where he died Wednesday.

Three accused of six burglaries

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Three people from Bloomfield are accused of a rash of burglaries throughout Stoddard County, according to the Daily Statesman. Sheriff's deputies reported they had recovered items from at least six burglaries in the county, including chain saws, weed trimmers, power tools, air compressors and generators. Ray Aaron Sheppard, 35 James Michael Jordan, 37; and Kimberly Sharon Lady, 37; each were charged with felony possession of a controlled substance and felony receiving stolen property. Each were in the Stoddard County Jail; their bond was set at $100,000 each.

-- From staff reports