Noel woman charged in connection with hit-and-run accident that killed Marine veteran

The McDonald County Prosecuting Attorney's office filed a felony leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death charge today against Gloria Trejo, 53, Noel.

Trejo admitted to a Noel police officer that she was behind the wheel November 2 near the intersection of S. Kings Highway and Hall Ridge Road when she struck Michael Lynn Pruden, 59, according to the probable cause statement.

Pruden, who was a a U. S. Marines veteran who served in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield, was pronounced dead at the scene.

From the probable cause statement:

On 11/19/2024 after further investigation and statements regarding the incident and locating a serial number on a piece of lens that was collected as evidence, I learned that the suspect vehicle was a maroon 1992 Ford F-150 which belonged to Trejo. 

When speaking with Trejo on 11/19/2024 she stated that while she was driving “all of the sudden there was something in the middle of the road, so I swerved and I barely hit at first I thought it was a deer but it didn’t seem right. So I turned back to make sure and that’s when I saw it was a person. I got scared so I left.” Trejo made a written statement as to what occurred.

Bond has been set at $2,000.

DNR awards Granby $62,500 grant to study feasibility of connecting sewer system with East Newton High School

(From the Missouri Department of Natural Resources)

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has awarded $62,500 to the city of Granby to evaluate the feasibility of constructing a regional sewer connection between East Newton High School and the city’s wastewater system. 

Provided through the department’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund Regionalization Incentive Grant, the funding will cover all the eligible costs to develop the plan, which is expected to be completed by April 2026.

This is a competitive grant program that offers funding to municipalities as an incentive to construct connections for small, struggling wastewater treatment facilities. The entities responsible for these small facilities often lack the financial and technical resources to upgrade their wastewater treatment facilities to meet more stringent limits and operate their facilities appropriately. These facilities typically serve such a small number of connections that the cost to comply with permit conditions is a significant financial challenge for the users.

“The department’s intention for this grant is to decrease the number of point sources that discharge pollutants to Missouri’s waterways by promoting regional partnerships that would not be possible without this funding,” said Dru Buntin, director of the Department of Natural Resources. “Water and wastewater systems are crucial infrastructure that aid community health and economic vitality.”

The department’s Financial Assistance Center is committed to working with communities to assist with water and wastewater infrastructure improvement projects. Monies received from The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will fully fund this project.

For more information on wastewater and drinking water funding opportunities, visit dnr.mo.gov/water/what-were-doing/state-revolving-fund-srf.

Neosho man charged with violating protection order, assaulting woman

Jeremy L. Esquivel, (DOB 1994), Neosho, was charged with domestic assault and violation of a protection order for allegedly assaulting a woman October 10.

From the probable cause statement:

On 10/09/2023, I, Officer C. Cook, was at the Neosho Police Department when victim I frantically entered the lobby. {She}was hysterically crying with an open wound on the right side of her head. {Her} shirt was torn and had blood spots on the front. 

Victim 1 stated she left her residence to take her daughter to school and Mr. Esquivel was on the couch. Victim l has an active Order of Protection against Mr. Esquivel. {She} told Mr. Esquivel to leave and be gone when she returned to the residence. 

Victim 1 stated she returned home and Mr. Esquivel was on the couch still. {She} stated she went to her bedroom to call emergency services and Mr. Esquivel followed her and locked her inside the bedroom. {She} stated Mr. Esquivel threw her onto the bed by her hair causing a large bump on the back of her head and hit her over the head with a closed fist, causing the injury to her forehead. 

Victim 1 stated she attempted to fight Mr. Esquivel off of her, but he grabbed a pillow and placed it over her face. {She} had a marking on her neck where the pillow was placed. 

Mr. Esquivel has a active protection order in effect and has been served. Mr. Esquivel violated the protection order by committing a domestic assault on the petitioner, stalked the petitioner, disturbed the peace of the petitioner, and communicated with the petitioner by means of in person conversation.

Mr. Esquivel placed a pillow over victim 1's face, restricting her airway, causing victim I to fear for her life. Mr. Esquivel knowingly attempted to cause serious physical injury to victim 1. It should also be noted, Mr. Esquivel has two cases for violation of protection that have not gone through the courts. 

On 03/22/2023, Mr. Esquivel was arrested for Domestic Assault 4th Degree and Violation of Order of Protection.

On 07/03/2023, Mr. Esquivel was arrested for Violation of Order of Protection.

Probable cause: Newton County man harassed woman, burned down her barn

The Newton County Prosecuting Attorney's office filed arson, harassment and stalking charges Monday against a Fairview man who allegedly burned a woman's barn to the ground.

According to the probable cause statement, Dale William DeBoer (DOB 1976) was walking to Dollar General with a woman September 24 when he began threatening to slash her tires.

Two days later, the statement said, the woman saw DeBoer leaving her barn with a gas can in her hand with the barn on fire. The barn was a total loss.

Burglary and assault charges in connection with crimes that allegedly took place September 10 were also filed Monday in Newton County Circuit Court.

Judge weighs whether Kanakuk defrauded abuse survivor’s family

By Annelise Hanshaw

Missouri Independent

OZARK — Attorneys argued about culpability in Christian County Circuit Court Monday morning in a lawsuit involving a Branson-area Christian summer camp accused of conspiring with its insurer to trick a family into signing a non-disclosure agreement by concealing prior knowledge of sexual misconduct.

Logan Yandell, a survivor of sexual abuse by Kanakuk Ministries’ former camp director, filed a lawsuit in 2022 alleging misstatements by the camp’s CEO led his parents to sign a settlement and non-disclosure agreement for $250,000 that they otherwise would have continued to fight.

Yandell’s attorney, Reed Martens, told Judge Raymond Gross on Monday that his client’s parents signed a release in December of 2010 under pressure from Kanakuk CEO Joe White, who was their family friend.

During a call in September of 2009, Martens said, the Yandell family asked White if he knew of other abuse allegations involving former Kanakuk camp director Peter Newman. He allegedly said “nothing has been on (the camp’s) radar with (Newman),” but an affidavit by Newman’s former supervisor disclosed that the camp had been aware of misconduct as early as 1999.

The lawsuit also names ACE American Insurance Company as a defendant, arguing it influenced the camp’s decision to conceal information.

Gross asked if there was “correspondence of any kind” between the camp and ACE prior to White’s phone call with the Yandells.

David Mayer, who is also representing Yandell, said the insurance company was aware of abuse allegations “in March or April” prior to the call.

White testified that he did not speak to ACE before the alleged misstatement, said Manuel Mungia, an attorney for ACE, and the company wasn’t even notified of the statement.

“There is no evidence that ACE was aware of a fraudulent statement,” he said.

Yandell’s attorneys provided evidence of the company attempting to influence White months later when the camp drafted a letter to send to 8,000 families outlining what it knew about Newman.

ACE, in response, “strongly recommended not to send the letter” and sent a reservation of rights letter, which could exempt the company from covering related legal matters, Martens said.

So the email remained unreleased. This lawsuit has unearthed the draft and ACE’s response to the camp, Martens said, and it “gives rise to the concealment and conspiracy.”

Another matter Gross will have to consider is whether media reports of Newman’s arrest could nullify the case under the statute of limitations for fraud.

In Missouri, claims must be brought within five years of discovering the fraud, and victims have 10 years for discovery.

Bryan Wade, an attorney for Kanakuk, said there were court cases and news articles published over five years ago that the Yandell family had access to. Access to the information, he argued, is the same as knowledge, according to other cases.

Yandell’s parents didn’t have the responsibility to seek out the other court cases or media reports, Marten said, because of their close personal relationship with White. He said because their friend had “superior knowledge of the facts,” they were exempt from ordinary standards of diligence.

Another survivor of Newman’s abuse, in a deposition, told attorneys that he, White and Yandell discussed Newman’s misconduct years ago, Wade said. Importantly, Yandell is the case’s plaintiff — not his parents.

But Yandell’s parents told attorneys their discovery of the allegations of abuse was in 2021, when a national news article labeled Kanakuk’s situation the “worst Christian sex abuse scandal.”

If Gross accepts that 2021 is the year of discovery, the case is still within the statute of limitations.

He told attorneys his goal is to submit his judgment “by the end of the year,” though he had a large workload.

The case is set for trial in July 2025.

Carthage man charged with stalking Jasper County detention officer, violating protection order

A felony stalking charge was filed today in Jasper County Circuit Court against a Carthage man who allegedly harassed a detention officer at the Jasper County Jail.

Kaden Allen Glaser (DOB 2004) was already awaiting trial for violating a protection order preventing him from going near the detention officer when the activities that brought the latest charges occurred.

According to the probable cause statement in the protection order case, the investigating Carthage Police Department officer said Glaser posed a threat to the officer because: 

Glaser met the Victim while incarcerated at the victim's place of employment. On release, Glaser began stalking the victim causing her to obtain a protection order. The suspect has shown an obsession stating he is in love with the victim and has disregarded the protection order trespassing at the victim's residence on two separate occasions in a two-hour period.

After his latest arrest, Glaser tried to convince other detention officers to give his alleged victim the message that he loved her, the probable cause statement said.

{Glaser} became agitated and aggressive with Deputies after being told the message would not be passed. {He} made comments about continuing to go to Victim #1's residence when he got released from jail, and made statements advising he would murder Victim #1.

Allegation: MO Baptist Children's Home caseworker tampered with evidence in case of teens who planned to murder foster parents

The McDonald County Prosecuting Attorney's office charged a Missouri Baptist Children's Home case worker with tampering with evidence and hindering prosecution of a felony, alleging that she interfered into an investigation of two juvenile girls' plot to murder their foster parents.

A warrant was sworn out today for the arrest of Emily Flatt, 27, Springfield, who allegedly withheld a letter in which the teens' step-by-step plan to kill their foster parents using Coca-Cola laced with bleach and other substances and a kitchen knife.

Bond was set at $1,500.

From the probable cause statement:

According to Chief Deputy Allison, the two alternative care case managers were to meet to pick up belongings for the children as the two juvenile females were already separated and kept from riding the bus to the residence. 

Further, on November 1st, 2024, your affiant attended a conference in the McDonald County Courthouse which Emily Flatt had requested. Emily informed your affiant that {a witness} had disclosed to a case manager a plot to murder {the foster parents}.

According to Emily Flatt, the instigator of this plot was {name redacted}however the items to be used, namely a kitchen knife and bottle of Coca-Cola laced with bleach and/or other unknown substances, were to be found in {name redacted's} bedroom at the {home}. 

Further, on November 1st, 2024, your affiant, executed a consent search on the {foster parents'} residence and seized a kitchen knife, concealed under a blanket in  {redacted's} bedroom and the bottle of Coca-Cola from near the freezer in  {her}bedroom. 

Further, on November 12th, 2024, your affiant, in furtherance of this investigation, interviewed was the former foster parent of {the girl} and whom Emily Flatt called to pick {the girl up.} {She} picked up {the girl} from the McDonald County High School, where {it was disclosed) that a step-by-step plan had been written down. 

{The witness} informed your affiant and on November 16th, 2024 completed a voluntary statement declaring the following, Emily [Flatt] stated "The girls wrote out a plot to murder their foster parents. {One girl} was involved and opened up the window for {the other girl} to get in. They had this step-by-step plan, please do not let her out of your site [sic]

"Further, on November 15th, 2024, your affiant along with 40th Circuit Deputy Juvenile Officer Kaylee Clay, arrived at the Missouri Baptist Children's Home Office in Springfield, Missouri where Emily Flatt is a case manager, and specifically case manager for {one of the girls} to serve an Investigative Subpoena issued under RSMo. 56.085. 

After serving Emily Flatt's supervisor, we were informed that Emily Flatt was at the Greene County Courthouse on a court case connected to one of her clients. Further, on November 15th, 2024, Deputy Juvenile Officer Clay and your affiant arrived at the Greene County Courthouse and located Emily Flatt. 

Your affiant informed her that he was aware of the existence of the step-by-step letter and asked if the note was in her possession to which she denied having possession. 

Your affiant asked Emily if the note existed to which she denied its existence. Your affiant then confronted Emily that she had spoken to an individual in detail about the note's contents and existence to which Emily stated she "did not recall." 

When informed that I needed the note "today" Emily stated that per her supervisor, she would not answer any more questions "without the presence of her attorney." 

Determining that she appeared to be invoking her fifth amendment rights against self-incrimination, questioning immediately ceased. Deputy Juvenile Officer Clay then asked "One question, would you be willing to let her out of residential to put her in detention?" to which Emily stated, "You will need to contact her attorney." 

By her own admission in the conference held on November lst, 2024, Emily was aware that  {the girl} was involved and had disclosed a plot to commit premeditated murder of Emily Flatt had a legal duty to disclose to Deputy Juvenile Officer Kaylee Clay the whereabouts of {the girl} and to permit apprehension of (the girl)for further proceedings before the Court. 

Further, after the refusal of Emily Flatt to allow Deputy Juvenile Officer Kaylee Clay to apprehend {the girl} the Court issued a Writ of Habeas Corpus directing Missouri Baptist Children's Home to bring {her} before the Court. 

Further, pursuant to the Rules of Criminal Procedure, specifically rule 22.04, your affiant states to the Court the following:

The defendant poses a danger to the community. The facts that support this belief is as follows:

Emily Flatt is employed by the Missouri Baptist Children's Home (''M.B.C.H.") as a case manager. M.B.C.H. is a contractor for the State of Missouri Children's Division in foster care services and placement of children in State custody for abuse and neglect. 

An essential part of her duties is to cooperate with the Juvenile Justice authorities and the Court. By and through her course of conduct, Emily Flatt has impeded not only a law enforcement investigation but potentially endangered other children, foster care professionals, and the community.

Sentencing memo: Joplin woman should spend 37 months in prison for laundering proceeds from on-line romance scam

A Joplin woman who helped con artists who were conducting an online romance scam launder their money should spend 37 months behind bars, according to a sentencing memorandum filed today in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.

The memorandum, written by Assistant U. S. Attorney Casey Clark, notes that while Bonnie Henning, 62, pleaded guilty to a lesser money laundering charge, she still played a key role by laundering more than $302,960 between July 2020 and August 2022 and should have to serve prison time.

From the sentencing memorandum:

The defendant received a direct warning from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) in November 2021 that she was laundering fraud proceeds and the FBI directed her to cease the activity. 

She ignored this warning and continued accepting fraud proceeds through the mail from these fraudsters, even going so far as to direct the fraudsters to send the money to her elderly neighbor’s address after she detected that the United States Postal Service was investigating her illegal conduct. 

The proceeds, which came to the defendant in numerous transactions and mailings over the course of two years, were sent to the defendant by vulnerable victims who were defrauded through online romance scams. 

The defendant and others then utilized the illegal proceeds for their own personal benefit and for the benefit of the conspiracy.

Henning's sentencing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday in U. S. District Court in Springfield.

Jason Smith: Trump's great team will make America and the world a safer place

(From Eighth District Congressman Jason Smith)

Over the last four years, the world has become an increasingly dangerous place thanks to the lack of leadership and failed policies of the Biden administration. 

A war is raging in Europe for the first time since WWII. The evil Iranian regime and its terror proxies are launching unprecedented attacks against Israel, a beacon of freedom and our most important ally. And the Chinese Communist Party is doing everything it can to build up its military and spread its influence around the world. 

While there is plenty of reason to be concerned, I’m relieved that we will soon have a president who will advance a peace through strength agenda to make America feared by our enemies and respected by our allies once again.

President-elect Donald Trump’s first term was packed full of foreign policy wins. There wasn’t a war in Europe or the Middle East. He successfully forced our NATO allies to increase their defense spending. He brokered the Abraham accords, a landmark agreement that improved diplomatic and economic ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. He also moved the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, something numerous other presidents had pledged but failed to do.

Although Trump hasn’t been sworn in as president yet, he’s already off to a great start in his effort to restore America’s greatness on the world stage. He has wasted no time putting together an incredibly talented team to help him advance his America First, peace through strength agenda.

President-elect Donald Trump has done an incredible job building out his foreign policy team. I believe U.S. Senator Marco Rubio will do an excellent job as Secretary of State. As a first-generation American whose parents escaped Cuba before the violent communist takeover, he has first-hand experience with rooting out and standing up against communist dictatorships.

I’m also particularly excited about the choice of former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence. Tulsi will be a fierce advocate for restoring Americans’ trust in our intelligence services. As an Army Reserve veteran herself, she has a tremendous record of service for our nation and will carry out President Trump’s desire to root out the actors who have put their own personal and political agendas ahead of the interests of our country.

At a time of raging antisemitism throughout our country and reduced support for Israel among foreign nations, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee is a great pick for U.S. Ambassador to Israel. He is a man of faith, a proven leader, and an unwavering advocate for Israel. He has a very close relationship with Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister who has faced unacceptable criticism by Biden and leaders on the Left. Huckabee will improve relations between the U.S. and Israel, and ensure our vital ally has the support it needs to defend itself and eliminate the evil terrorists who threaten its existence.







I’m also excited that President-elect Donald Trump selected New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik to be the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (UN). She has been an invaluable ally in the fight against antisemitism on college campuses as a member of the Education and the Workforce Committee. In addition, she has led the charge in pressuring the Biden administration to cut off taxpayer dollars from funding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), an organization whose employees directly participated in the October 7th terror attack against Israel.

Trump will have a great team made up of like-minded individuals supporting his fight to advance an America First, peace through strength agenda. There is no doubt in my mind that Trump will make America – and the world – a safer place.

Eric Burlison: I'm eager to work with Trump/Vance administration to make America great again

(From Seventh District Congressman Eric Burlison)

This week, I had the privilege of hearing from President-elect Donald Trump at a House Republican Conference meeting.

Over the past four years, the Biden/Harris administration's policies have wreaked havoc on our nation. From an unprecedented border crisis to skyrocketing prices on everyday goods, and global instability, their agenda has left Americans struggling.

 

On November 5th, voters decisively rejected this disastrous trajectory, handing Republicans control of the House, Senate, and White House. This mandate signals a clear demand for change and a return to policies that put Americans first.

I’m eager to work with the incoming Trump/Vance administration to steer our country back on track and fulfill our commitment to making America great again.