Carthage man charged with fourth DWI, endangering the welfare of a child

The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office filed felony driving while intoxicated and endangering the welfare of a child charges against a Carthage man.

Leonard Charles Parker III (DOB 1987), who has three previous DWI convictions, according to the probable cause statement was charged after allegedly driving drunk in Webb City Monday with a 12-year-old in the vehicle.

Bond is set at $5,000 cash or $20,000 surety.

From the probable cause statement:

On 04/06/2026 at 1901 hours, officers were dispatched to the area of Main / Macarthur Dr for a
possible intoxicated driver. The vehicle was observed at Madison and Macarthur Dr. A traffic stop
was conducted.

I, Officer Allison, exited my patrol vehicle and made contact with Carterville Officer Elmore. He stated he observed several lane violations and almost struck a vehicle. The driver was also called in by his wife for driving intoxicated.

I made contact with the driver Leonard Parker III. I also observed a juvenile male in the passenger seat. I instructed to Mr. Parker to exit the vehicle and step to the rear of his vehicle. While speaking
with Mr. Parker I could smell a moderate odor of intoxicants emitting from his breath. 

I had Mr. Parker perform Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. Multiple clues indicating impairment were
observed. Mr. Parker refused to provide a sample of his breath on the PBT.

Based on my training and experience, Mr. Parker was arrested for DWI. While enroute to the Webb
City Police Department, Mr. Parker would mumble his words while speaking.

Upon arrival at the police department, I read Mr. Parker implied consent and asked for a sample of his breath and blood. Mr. Parker refused to provide the samples.

I read Mr. Parker his Miranda rights and started the interview process. As I was booking in Mr. Parker he made comments of "I f----d up." "I f----d up my life." and "I should've stayed home."


Mr. Parker has three prior convictions of DWI:

02/19/2010

05/09/2011

01/04/2015

All charges were guilty convictions.