Stoddard County carjacking suspect pleads guilty to assault

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A Dexter, Mo., man accused of trying to carjack a vehicle on the lot of Tyson Foods in April recently pleaded guilty to an assault charge involving a firearm.

James Eli Payne, 49, pleaded guilty to first-degree assault Wednesday during what was to be a review of his case before Presiding Circuit Judge Stephen Sharp, according to Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Russell Oliver.

He had been accused of assaulting Joseph Randle by discharging a firearm inside a vehicle while Randle was a passenger in the vehicle.

After Payne waived a sentencing assessment report, Sharp sentenced Payne to eight years in prison.

The offense, Oliver said, requires a defendant serve a minimum of 85 percent of the sentence before he or she is eligible for parole.

In Payne's case, Oliver said, he will have to serve nearly seven years before he is eligible for release.

"This was an offer that was made by my predecessor, and the defendant had accepted that offer from the prosecutor," Oliver said. "Basically, they were ready to plea and sentence the guy ... several months ago [however] it did not occur at that time."

Payne originally was charged with first-degree robbery, first-degree assault and first-degree burglary, two charges of armed criminal action, the first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle, theft/stealing of any firearm, theft/stealing, stealing a motor vehicle, second-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon. He pleaded guilty in connection with an incident that occurred about 3 a.m. April 25 at Tyson Foods, 1001 E. Stoddard St.

Randle, as well as another Tyson employee, reportedly were confronted by Payne in the business' parking lot.

Randle, according to earlier reports, told officers Payne pointed a firearm at him and discharged the firearm inside the vehicle.

This occurred after the female victim reportedly pulled into the parking lot and Payne walked up to her window, Dexter Police Detective Trevor Pulley said in his probable cause affidavit.

Payne, he said, allegedly tapped on the window with a gun and told her to get out; however, she refused.

When the woman refused, Pulley said, Payne allegedly opened the door and "threw her to the ground.

"[Payne] threatened her and jumped in her vehicle and tried to take off."

While inside the vehicle, Pulley said, Payne allegedly threatened Randle with the firearm. A struggle ensued, during which the weapon discharged, he said.

Payne was apprehended about two blocks from the scene and found to be in possession of the weapon. He reportedly told officers he had "shot up with methamphetamine earlier."

Pertinent address:

Bloomfield, MO

1001 E. Stoddard St., Bloomfield, MO