Victims in child molestation case share their courtroom statements

The sentencing of a sex offender provides some measure of justice for the victims and for society, but it doesn't erase the trauma of the victims, something they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

Cortoney Rogers, 43, Fairview, was sentenced to 15 years in prison during a hearing Monday in Newton County Circuit Court after pleading guilty to two counts of child molestation.

The hearing included victim impact statements from Rogers' victims, who have given The Turner Report permission to post their statements. 

It took a lot of courage for them to put into words what happened to them and to share those words now.

***

Thank you, your Honor, for allowing me to share the impact the defendant’s crimes have had on my life. 

His abuse left no visible, physical scars, but the emotional and mental scars from the night he molested me remain and still affect me, to this day, in a number of concrete ways. The repercussions continue to impact my existing relationships and my ability to form new connections.

I am hypervigilant in public and wary of new people. He robbed me of a sense of safety and security.

I have been in therapy for nearly a decade. In therapy I learned that the defendant’s abuse permanently altered the chemical and physical structure of my brain. It forever changed the way I see the world, how I interact with the people around me, and how I view myself.

I have battled eating disorders because – for years – I have struggled not to hate this body that he touched. 

In my own marital bed, my husband who I love can only sleep behind me if I am on my left side. 

Otherwise, I am immediately returned to the night I laid frozen while the defendant thrust his erect penis into my lower back and butt over and over and over again. I was a middle-schooler.

I was a child!

One of the biggest ways his crimes affect me even now is in my parenting. I know my daughter picks up on my anxieties. I don’t want her to live in fear or to be constantly on alert like I am. I want my little girl to know that we are not the sum of the terrible things that happen to us. But she will never have the childhood experience of a sleepover at a friend’s house or stay the night with her cousins because I cannot put her at risk like that. 

I am constantly on guard when it comes to her and how she navigates the world. I have to be. Her safety is always my number one concern.

I stayed silent for so long because I thought I was protecting my family from him. As young as I was, I worried about my sister, his then-wife, and how she would react. Whether she would believe me, and what that would do to her life if she did. And what would happen if she didn’t. 

I worried my father would hurt him and then I’d have to live with that on my conscience. Since that night, I have kept my own loved ones at a distance so I wouldn’t have to be around him.

Writing this statement has been incredibly difficult. 

My depression has deepened. My sleep has suffered. My anxiety has spiked significantly. Just thinking about speaking here today makes me feel like I need to vomit. And I can’t help but wonder if my big sister would be here to support me today – on one of the hardest days of my life – if my abuser hadn’t been her husband. 

What he has done has poisoned my relationship with her.

When I learned that in addition to what he did to me, the defendant also had abused another victim
for years, I was devastated. My worst nightmare was reality: the man who inflicted so much pain, trauma, and ugliness on me chose the same and worse for another child. 

At first, I blamed myself for not speaking up sooner. I carried immense guilt and shame. But that guilt and that shame, those are NOT mine to carry. They are his.

He chose to molest me when I was a child. He chose to rape another child. He gets off on hurting children. He is the worst of the worst and the absolute scum of this earth. He is not sorry for the choices he made. He feels sorry for himself. We’ve all gotten to see that. He has complained about his conditions each time we’ve been here. He is not apologetic. He is not remorseful. He is evil. I have watched countless people in the community pray over the defendant’s health, donate money towards his medical bills, and praise him for his strength. 

A local man even donated a kidney to him! 

I want this same community to know who he really is – a pedophile.

Please, for the safety of our daughters, sons, nieces, nephews, and those in the generations to come, let him and all other criminals like him know how our community sees and how this Court will punish sexual crimes against children. Lock him away. Let him rot in prison.

Your Honor, I ask that you give the defendant the agreed upon sentence. That is not only what he deserves, it is the justice that his other victim and I deserve as well.

***

Your Honor,

The sexual abuse went on for years, and now I have to live with this for the rest of my life. I have a really hard time trusting people, and I often feel anxious and unsafe. 

Because of all of this, it has made me feel like I have grown up faster than I should have. I don't live with my siblings anymore, and I barely even see them now because of what has been going on.

This has affected my relationships with people and the way I connect with people. A lot of my childhood was taken away from me, and I'll never be able to get those years back. It's almost like my purity was taken by that man. 

NO child should ever have to go through something like this. 

No child should never have to feel like they are a grownup. And the effects this has on me are going to stay with me till I lay in that dirt. It's like his hands were supposed to protect me from the storm and not turn it into a never-ending hurricane.

Thank you for listening to what I have to say and for understanding how much this has taken from me.

***

City of Carthage, former parks director settle lawsuit for quarter of a million

KSNF/KODE is reporting the City of Carthage is paying $250,000 to former Parks Director Abi Almandinger to settle the wrongful termination lawsuit she filed in December in Jasper County Circuit Court.

In her lawsuit, Almandinger alleged she was dismissed after she voiced support for former City Administrator Greg Dagnan and after she uncovered corruption in her department.

Almandinger said her employers created a hostile work environment.

Previous Posts- 

Former Carthage parks and recreation director files wrongful termination lawsuit

Carthage fires parks and recreation director

Lawsuit filed against City of Neosho after melting shoes lead to injuries

A Neosho man sued the City of Neosho after suffering injuries at the Neosho Recycling Center in July 2024.

According to the petition, which was filed today in Newton County Circuit Court, melting shoes, a danger he was not warned about, led to Timothy Scritchfield's injuries.

From the petition:

On or about July 8, 2024, Defendant City of Neosho, Missouri d/b/a City of Neosho Recycling Center (hereinafter referred to as “Defendant”) owned, leased, and/or maintained the premises located at 4700 Howard Bush Drive, Neosho, Newton County, Missouri 64850.

On or about July 8, 2024, there existed a “burn pile” at Defendant’s recycling center where certain items were burned.

On or about July 8, 2024, Plaintiff entered Defendant’s recycling center to dispose of some cardboard when he was directed by an employee of Defendant to throw his cardboard onto the “burn pile.”

On or about July 8, 2024, as Plaintiff approached the dangerous condition to dispose of his cardboard, there existed an area of the ground, near the burn pile, that did not appear to be hot but in fact were coals that were not extinguished (hereinafter referred to as the “dangerous condition”).

Plaintiff walked into the area of the dangerous condition to dispose of his cardboard and his shoes began to melt, causing him to fall into the hot coals sustaining injuries further described herein.

Defendant knew or could have known of this dangerous condition.

Defendant failed to use ordinary care, in one or more of the following respects:

(a) Defendant failed to warn of the dangerous condition;

(b) Defendant failed to remedy or remove the dangerous condition;

(c) Defendant failed to barricade the dangerous condition;

9. As a result of the dangerous condition, Plaintiff sustained the following:

(a) Past, present, and future medical supplies, medicine, and services of physicians, nurses, hospitals, pharmacists, physical therapists, and services of all other health care providers and related medical expenses;

(b) Second and third degree burns up to 30 to 40 percent of his body;

(c) Injury to both hands;

(d) Injury to both arms;

(e) Injury to his right foot;

(f) Injury to both knees;

(g) Injury to both legs;

(h) Injury to his head;

(i) Injury to his neck;

(j) Injury to his right shoulder;

(k) Injury to his back

(l) Lost wages;

(m) Pain and suffering; and

(n) Loss of enjoyment of life.

WHEREFORE Plaintiff Timothy Scritchfield prays for judgment against Defendant City of Neosho, Missouri d/b/a City of Neosho Recycling Center in such sum as is fair and reasonable, interest at the legal rate from the date of judgment, for her costs of action incurred herein, and for such other further relief as is just and proper.

Scritchfield is represented by Brandon C. Potter of Aaron Sachs & Associates P. C.

Injury lawsuit filed against City of Joplin after woman injured in fall on sidewalk

 A lawsuit filed Tuesday in Jasper County Circuit Court claims the City of Joplin's negligence in taking care of a sidewalk caused a woman to fall and suffer injuries.

The petition claims Amanda Stringer, a Jasper County resident, was injured in fall was caused by "heaved concrete in the damaged sidewalk resulting in Plaintiff violently striking the ground with her body causing the injuries, damages, and harms discussed herein."

The accident occurred at 411 South Moffett Avenue, according to the petition.

The two-count lawsuit accuses the city of premises liability and general negligence.

Stringer, who is represented by Max Blaser, Springfield, working with Johnson, Vorhees and Martucci of Joplin, is asking for a jury trial.

Joplin Police seeking information on 1992 disappearance of 14-year-old Tracy Pickett

(From the Joplin Police Department)

The Joplin Police Department is seeking public assistance related to the missing persons case of Tracy A. Pickett. Tracy was reported missing August 12, 1992. 

Over the past 34 years, investigators have followed numerous leads and tips to try and solve this case. As yet another anniversary of the disappearance has arrived, we strongly encourage anyone in the community who has any information to come forward.

Tracy Pickett was just 14 years old when she disappeared. She is a white female with blonde hair and green eyes. At the time of her disappearance, she was 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighed 115 pounds.

On August 11, 1992, Tracy Pickett spent the night at a friend's residence in Webb City, Missouri. The morning of August 12, 1992, another guest offered to take her to her home in Joplin. The subject claimed he dropped Tracy off safely near a pawnshop in Joplin. Tracy has never been seen or heard from again. It is strongly believed Tracy disappeared involuntarily.

Attached is a picture of Pickett and the latest age progression photograph of what she may look like today.
Tracy’s family has spent the last 34 years searching for answers. If you can help, please contact Captain William Davis at 417-623-3131, ext. 1446.

Sarcoxie man pleads guilty to child sex crimes

The Cherokee County District Attorney's Office will recommend probation for a Sarcoxie man who pleaded guilty today to attempted commercial sexual exploitation of a child and attempted aggravated endangering of a child.

Sentencing for Derek Tyrel McKenney, 32, is scheduled for 10 a.m. October 1 in Cherokee County District Court in Columbus.

As part of the plea agreement, two other charges, attempted aggravated human trafficking and electronic solicitation were dismissed.

According to the complaint, McKenney arranged to meet with someone he thought was an underage girl for sex. He was actually communicating with an undercover officer. 

Carthage man pleads guilty to voluntary manslaughter

An October 19 sentencing hearing has been scheduled for Elijah Hardee, 20, Carthage, who pleaded guilty Monday in Jasper County Circuit Court to a reduced charge of voluntary manslaughter in connection with the February 15, 2025 death of Johny Reyes Garcia, 22, Carthage.

Hardee was originally charged with second degree murder. Under the plea agreement with the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office, an armed criminal action charge was dismissed.

In the agreement, Hardee says he "caused the death of J. R. under the influence of sudden passion."

Hardee's crime was detailed in the probable cause statement filed in February 2025:

On 2/15/2025 the Carthage Police Department was contacted in reference to a disturbance involving a weapon. The reporting party advised on the 911 emergency call that someone had been shot at the residence and that there was a large physical disturbance ongoing.

Upon officer arrival, there was a large group of people standing around a male who was lying in the yard. The male had suffered an apparent gunshot wound and first aid was being rendered. The male was later transported to Mercy Carthage Hospital via ambulance where he was later pronounced deceased.

During a subsequent investigation, several witnesses were contacted on scene, as well as surrounding neighbors to the residence. Witness 1 was standing by the victim when he was shot and identified the male with the pistol as Elijah Hardee.

Witness 2 was also in close proximity to the victim and identified Elijah Hardee as the male who had the pistol. Witness 3 was in a physical altercation with another subject while the shooting occurred. Once a gunshot was heard, their fight stopped and they turned to look and identified Elijah Hardee holding a gun.

While a neighborhood canvass was being conducted, witness 4 approached officers and advised that they had taken a video of the entire incident. While observing the video, Hardee is observed to be partially involved in the physical altercation before stepping back, pulling a pistol from his person and firing a shot into the victim.

Witness 4 then observed Hardee and 3 other unknown subjects flee the scene in a passenger vehicle. Hardee was observed wearing a black hoodie and blue athletic shorts on the video.

Hardee was stopped and contacted in a traffic stop by the Joplin Police Department on 02/15/2025 at approximately 2040 hours. Hardee was the passenger in the traffic stop wearing a black hoodie and blue athletic shorts.

Witness 5 was later contacted and interviewed. Witness 5 stated that they were standing behind the victim trying to pull another male off during the physical altercation portion of the disturbance. Witness 5 stated that they observed Hardee pull a gray/black pistol from his hoodie pocket area and shoot the victim.

Arrests made in Newton County stabbing

(From the Newton County Sheriff's Office)

On July 18, 2026, deputies with the Newton County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to 19325 Hottel Springs Road in response to a reporting stabbing. Upon arrival, deputies located an adult male suffering from multiple stab wounds. The adult male was transported to Mercy Hospital in Springfield due to the seriousness of his injuries.

During the ensuing investigation, two adult males, Kevin Lee Barton and Braiden Barton, were identified as suspects. Both males were believed to reside in the vicinity of Wyandotte, Oklahoma. Charges were submitted to the Newton County Prosecutor’s Office and filed. Both individuals were charged with Assault- 1st Degree, Robbery-1st Degree and Armed Criminal Action. The arrest warrants for these charges were no bond warrants.

On August 10, 2026, Kevin Lee Barton and Braiden Barton were taken into custody by members of the United States Marshals’ Northern Oklahoma Violent Crimes Task Force, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Both are currently in custody at the Ottawa County Jail. 

The Newton County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the above agencies, along with the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, the Wyandotte, Oklahoma Police Department and the Seneca Police Department with their assistance in this investigation.

Public hearings scheduled on proposed expansion of Joplin trolley routes

(From the City of Joplin)

The City of Joplin is seeking to improve its fixed-route bus service for riders of the Sunshine Lamp Trolley.

The City’s Transit Division is considering an expansion of the Trolley routes and will be hosting two public meetings to get feedback from the community. The purpose of the proposed route changes would be to shorten the ride times between some of the most high-demand destinations, improving the overall efficiency of the service for our riders.

The proposed changes would increase the number of routes offered from 3 to 5 and the number of Trolley stops from the current 62 to over 100. While several frequently requested stops would be added, a small number of stops may be moved or deleted from the route map altogether. At this time, service hours and fares would not change.

The City will host two public meetings on Thursday, Aug. 20, at the following times:

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Both meetings will take place in the City Council Chambers on the 5th floor of City Hall, 602. S. Main Street. There will not be a presentation, but citizens will be able to view map boards and ask questions. The same information will be available at both meetings. Public transit riders and the general public are encouraged to attend and comment at either meeting.

In addition to the meetings, a 30-day public comment period about the proposal will begin on Tuesday, Aug. 11. Public comments should be submitted to Gina Thompson, Transportation Coordinator, at 417-624-0820 ext. 1800 or at gthompso@joplinmo.org.

NOTE: If you need disability-related auxiliary aids or services for the meeting, please contact our ADA Coordinator at 417-624-0820, EXT 1210, or the City Clerk's Office at 417-624-0820, Ext.1220. Kindly provide forty-eight (48) hours' notice to arrange for the aids or services. TTD Number: 417-625-4774.

ESPN NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller charged in connection with accident that cost him his arm

The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office charged Matthew Keith Miller, 43, Webb City, Monday with failing to drive on the right half of the roadway in connection with the June 17 crash on MO 96 that cost him his left arm.

Miller's initial appearance is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. September 21 in Jasper County Circuit Court in Carthage with Judge John Nicholas presiding.

According to the Highway Patrol report, the accident occurred on MO 96 a mile and a half west of Oronogo when the 2023 Ford Bronco Miller was driving crossed the center line and was struck by a 2024 International driven by a 28-year-old Springfield man.

On July 10, Miller released the following statement on X:

A quick update: The surgery to remove my left arm was successful with hopes of an eventual prosthetic replacement.

Similarly, the femur and patella surgeries were also successful and the fantastic surgery team was able to save my left leg. 

To best focus on my healing and recovery, I’m stepping away indefinitely and will be placed on leave from ESPN. Thank you to all for the prayers and thoughts; please keep them coming.

After the accident, allegations about Miller's alleged misuse of charities and fantasy football leagues are being investigated by the Missouri Attorney General's office.