Archive for 2019

Dent County Prosecutor Andrew M. Curley has released a report on the sentencing of Ronald Ball. On July 13th, a bench trial was held for the charges of two counts of delivery of a controlled substance, both class C felonies. Curley presented evidence that Ronald Ball distributed heroin and methamphetamine in April of 2017 following the overdose death of Joseph Sutton at the Defendant’s residence in March of 2017. At the conclusion of the trial, Ronald Ball was found guilty of both counts by Circuit Judge Kelly Parker. On September 9th, a sentencing hearing was conducted. Prosecutor Curley presented evidence that in March of 2017 defendant had distributed heroin to another person who ultimately distributed the heroin to Joseph Sutton at the defendant’s residence that contributed to his overdose death. An autopsy was conducted as a result of the death of Joseph Sutton and the opinion of the doctor performing the autopsy was that the death resulted from methamphetamine and heroin intoxication. The Sentencing Assessment Report recommended that the defendant be granted probation and counsel for defendant argued for probation due to the defendant’s limited criminal history and due to his current poor health. Prosecutor Curley sought 13 years in the prison due to the defendant placing heroin into the community that became a contributing factor in the death of Joe Sutton and due to the defendant continuing to distribute drugs following the overdose. Judge Parker sentenced the defendant to 10 years in prison on each count, concurrent, and retained jurisdiction under RSMO Section 559.115 for the possible release from prison on probation after the completion of 120 days. Prosecutor Curley stated he appreciated the investigative efforts conducted by the Dent County Sheriff’s Department and Drug Taskforce resulting in the conviction of the defendant.

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. At the meeting, Richard LaBrash from the American Volunteers said the 2nd Annual ATV/UTV Fall Ride for America will be held on Saturday, October 12th starting and ending at Danny Black’s Farm. The American Volunteers will serve a meal after 6:00 that evening to all the participants. The event is sponsored by the American Volunteers and the Dent County Sheriff’s Department. For more information, call Richard LaBrash at 729-3196 or Sheriff Bob Wells at 729-3241. If you have questions about getting a county license to ride your ATV or UTV on county roads, contact the Dent County Clerk at 729-4144. LaBrash also discussed with the commission an initiative he is involved with to get more veterans in the outlying areas of Reynolds, Texas, Iron and Dent counties to use VA services. Since many of these veterans live where there is no Internet, this would be entry level step to get them to be able to access the VA from public areas like libraries. He is working with the VA in Poplar Bluff on the project and would have more information in the near future. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated grading and ditch work would be done on Dent County Road 5450 while only grading would be done on county roads 4122 and 4150. Purcell said materials were being added to county road 6040, brush was being cut on county road 5105, 6150 and 6500, and materials were provided and a crossover pipe was being installed on Dent County Road 4060. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2510 and 3220 while brush would be cut on county road 4030. He also said the low water crossing has been repaired on Dent County road 4480 and the road is now open to through traffic. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles helped out with the Dent County Beef Days Thursday before attending the MRPC Committee and Board meetings that night. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that all the tax entities have submitted their tax rates that were certified by her and her office and were approved by the state auditor’s office. She went on to say that her office and the treasurer’s office balanced on all accounts for August, and that her office along with the assessor’s office and the collector’s office balance on all collections, abatements and add-ons for August. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

A Dent County resident, 50-year old Wayne D. Head, has been charged with first-degree burglary, armed criminal action and first-degree assault resulting in serious physical injuries when he attacked a resident with a splitting maul axe from an incident that occurred Monday morning on Dent County Road 5020. According to documents filed with the circuit court, his bond was set at $200,000. The report indicates that a male subject arrived at the Casey’s Store on Highway 32/72 East covered in blood. The man reported he had been attacked in his home after hearing his grandson yelling and had several head wounds and abrasions to his arm from the confrontation with Head in the hallway of his home with the axe. The man said his grandson jumped out his bedroom window during the confrontation and he finally broke away from Head and drove to town. He was taken to Salem Memorial District Hospital for treatment. Head was later located at a different Dent County Road 5020 residence on Monday and was taken into custody without incident. Evidence of the attack was found in the victim’s home in the hallway, and the splitting maul axe was found north of the victim’s property.

Six Bunker residents were injured in a two vehicle accident Tuesday evening at 8:49 in Dent County at the intersection of Highway 72 and Route B. According to the highway patrol report, a 2007 Chevrolet HHR being driven by 48-year old Beverly Robinson of Salem, failed to yield to a 2003 Chevy Suburban and turned into the path of the Chevy being driven by 48-year old Clyde Wisdom of Bunker. The collision caused the Chevy Suburban to go off the road and overturn. Wisdom and 5 passengers suffered minor injuries and were transported by Salem EMS to Salem Memorial District Hospital. Clyde Wisdom suffered minor injuries in the collision as did the passengers who include 46-year old Sonia Wisdom, 13-year old William Wisdom, 11-year old Layla Wisdom, 15-year old Chandler Wisdom, and 18-year old Anthony Wisdom. According to the report all involved in the accident were wearing seat restraints. Both vehicles were totaled and both were removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing. The highway patrol was assisted by the Dent County Sheriff’s Department and Dent County Fire Protection District.

A two vehicle accident occurred Tuesday afternoon at around 1:35 in Reynolds County on Highway 72 about seven miles east of Bunker. The highway patrol report states that a 2011 Nissan Altima being driven 76-year old Raymond Strange of Bunker, was westbound when he attempted to pass a 1985 Mac Dump truck that was making a left turn being driven by 26-year old Michael Tolle of Bonne Terre. An occupant in the Nissan, 78-year old Janet Miller of Bunker, sustained minor injuries and was taken by Reynolds County Ambulance to Salem Memorial District Hospital. Neither passenger in the Nissan was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Nissan received extensive damage and was towed from the scene by Hills Metals and Motors of Ellington. The dump truck was not damaged and was driven from the scene.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has submitted a number of reports. On Saturday, August 31st, deputies received a report of a subject throwing trash from a moving vehicle into a man’s yard. They spoke to the reporting party and then traveled to an address in the 800 block of East Jack Street. During the course of the investigation, a 31-year-old Salem woman was arrested for littering in the 1st offense. The female was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where she was fingerprinted, issued summons and released. On Wednesday, September 4th, deputies conducted a traffic stop in the 100 block of County Road 5013. During the course of the traffic stop, a 21-year-old Salem man was arrested for six active warrants through Carter County. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Department and was incarcerated. The next day, deputies conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Doss Road and Highway 32 East. During the course of the traffic stop, a 28-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended, a 2nd or subsequent offense. The man was taken to the Dent County Sheriff’s Department where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. Deputies conducted another traffic stop that day in the 7000 block of Highway 119. During the course of the traffic stop, a 27-year-old Salem woman was arrested for felony driving while having her license revoked or suspended. The woman was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Department where she was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. If anyone has information about an investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 573-729-3241.