News – Wednesday, March 26th 2025

The sheriff’s office released these reports for March, on Tuesday March 11th deputies arrested a 30-year-old Salem man on an outstanding warrant. Subject was transported to the Dent County Jail. The next day Wednesday March 12th deputies conducted a traffic stop on S. Henderson St. During the course of the stop, the operator was found to have a suspended driving privilege. A 25-year-old Salem man was cited for the offense. Later the same day deputies assisted the Phelps County Sheriff’s Office with the execution of a search warrant in the 45000 block of Highway 72 in Dent County. A 66-year-old Salem man was arrested and placed on a 24-hour hold pending formal charges. Then on Friday March 14th deputies assisted in the investigation of reckless burning on County Road 4090. A fire had spread and caused damage to multiple dwellings & property. The investigation is ongoing. The following week on March 17th deputies conducted a traffic stop on County Road 2530. During the course of the stop, the operator was found to have a suspended driving privilege and outstanding arrest warrants. A 23-year-old Licking man was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail. Then on Wednesday March 19th deputies conducted a traffic stop in the 4400 block of N. Highway 19. During the course of the stop, the operator was found to have a revoked driving privilege. A 30-year-old Salem man was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail. If you have any information on an ongoing investigation, call the Dent County Sherriff’s office at 573-729-3241.

The following cases were heard March 18th by Judge Michael Randazzo. Beverly Woods was previously granted probation, over the state’s objection, in June of 2022 for felony possession of methamphetamine as a prior felony offender. A probation revocation hearing was held on January 22nd, 2025, where Prosecutor Curley sought to revoke the defendant’s probation for failing to abide by multiple terms of probation. Judge Randazzo delayed sentencing, over the objection of the state, and passed the matter to March 18th for the defendant to complete in-patient treatment. Defendant did not complete the treatment program and was sentenced to serve 7 years in department of corrections, as recommended by Prosecutor Curley. Daniel Manes was previously placed on probation, over the state’s objection, in May of 2024, for felony resisting arrest and 2 counts of felony possession of methamphetamine as a persistent felony offender. A probation revocation hearing was held for defendant using controlled substances and committing a new felony offense of forgery. At the conclusion of the hearing, the defendant’s probation was revoked, and he was sentenced to a total of 10 years in the department of corrections, as recommended by Prosecutor Curley. Sara Cunningham was previously placed on probation, over the state’s objection, in April of 2024, to multiple counts of felony tampering, kidnapping, resisting arrest and property damage. On March 18th a probation violation hearing was conducted where the defendant acknowledge she had failed to repay victim restitution, report to her probation officer, failed to report a residency change and failed to complete her treatment program. Prosecutor Curley recommended to the Court to revoke defendant’s probation and sentence her to the department of corrections, as previously recommended in 2024. Counsel for defendant sought continued probation in another treatment program. Over the objection of the state, defendant’s probation was not revoked, and the sentencing was delayed for Defendant’s placement into a designated treatment program. Joshua Skaggs was previously placed on probation for felony driving without a valid operating license, as a persistent felony offender. A probation hearing was conducted where the defendant admitted to multiple violations of his probation. Prosecutor Curley sought a 5-year sentence in the department of corrections, to be served. Counsel for defendant requested continued probation. Judge Randazzo order the defendant to serve a 7-year sentence pursuant to RSMo 559.115 (120-day shock incarceration program) and scheduled the case for review on June 25th, 2025, for consideration of release from the 120-day program.

Route 72 in Dent and Reynolds counties will be reduced as Missouri Department of Transportation crews wash bridges along the route. This section of roadway is located from Route A in Dent County to Route 32 in Reynolds County. Route 32 in Dent and Iron counties will be reduced as Missouri Department of Transportation crews wash bridges along the route. This section of roadway is located from Route 72 in Dent County to Route KK in Iron County. Weather permitting, work will take place through Thursday, March 27 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area. For additional information, contact MoDOT’s Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636) or visit modot.org/southeast.