Carthage man charged with three counts of sodomy, two counts of attempted rape

A Carthage man is being held without bond in the Jasper County Detention Center after being charged with two counts of attempted rape and three counts of sodomy.

According to the probable cause statement, Randy Lee Dorris (DOB 1964) committed the crimes against a disabled victim who lacked the mental capacity to give consent.

Dorris allegedly "forcefully removed her pants before using his hands, fingers, mouth tongue, teeth, penis and an electric razor to touch in and on her vagina. VICTIM said that Dorris stopped due to hearing something and then a short time later, Dorris went back into the bedroom and did the same thing again to her."

During an interview at the Carthage Police Department, Dorris admitted to everything except the attempted rape, according to the probable cause statement.

Dorris denied forcing her to do this as she never told him no. Dorris mentioned how he knew it was wrong and would go to prison and said he was pretty sure it was the law even through he didn't force her to.

The woman's legal guardian, Dorris' wife Cheryl Dorris, was charged with a misdemeanor, abuse of a disabled person, according to Jasper County Circuit Court records.

According to the probable cause statement in her case, the victim told her about the assault shortly after it occurred. C. Dorris failed to notify law enforcement or seek prompt medical help and "failed to remove the victim from contact or potential continued exposure to her alleged offender."

C. Dorris didn't report the incident until being confronted by a home health worker, according to the statement.

(Note: The post has been changed to add the charge against Cheryl Dorris.)

Agenda posted for Joplin City Council meeting

 JOPLIN CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
MONDAY, MAY 4, 2026
5th FLOOR COUNCIL CHAMBERS
602 S. MAIN ST. JOPLIN MO
6:00 P.M.

1.

Call To Order

Invocation
Pledge of Allegiance of the United States of America

2.

Roll Call

3.

Presentations

4.

Finalization Of Consent Agenda

5.

Reports And Communications

1.

News From The Public Information Officer

6.

Citizen Requests And Petitions

1.

Maurice Filson 

7.

Public Hearings

1.

Public Hearing Procedures 

Documents:

1. PUBLIC HEARING PROCEDURES.PDF

2.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-266

AN ORDINANCE amending Ordinance No. 2022-119, passed by the Council of the City of Joplin, Missouri, August 1, 2022, by removing from District M-2 (Heavy Industrial) and District C-1 (Neighborhood Commercial) and include in District C-3 (Commercial) property as described below and generally known as 730 N Schifferdecker Ave, Jasper County, Missouri.

Documents:

1. 266SUMMARY.PDF
2. 266REPORT.PDF
3. 266MINUTES.PDF
4. 266APP.PDF
5. 266MAP.PDF
6. CB2026-266.PDF

3.

RESOLUTION NO. 2026-008

A RESOLUTION granting a Special Use Permit (1^st Request) for a Duplex, located at 1721 S Joplin Ave, City of Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri.

Documents:

1. RS2026-008SUMMARY.PDF
2. 015-26REPORT.PDF
3. RS2026-008MINUTES.PDF
4. SUP APPLICATION.PDF
5. RS2026-008MAP.PDF
6. RS2026-008.PDF

4.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-268

AN ORDINANCE providing to vacate right-of-way for property known as Old McIntosh Cir., lying near property described as 3201 McIntosh Cir., City of Joplin, Newton County, Missouri.

Documents:

1. 268SUMMARY.PDF
2. 268REPORT.PDF
3. 268MINUTES.PDF
4. 268APP.PDF
5. 268MAP.PDF
6. 268NEW DEDICATION.PDF
7. CB2026-268.PDF

8.

Consent Agenda

1.

Minutes Of The April 20, 2026, Joplin City Council Meeting 

Documents:

1. APRIL 20, 2026 MINUTES.PDF

2.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-113

AN ORDINANCE approving the issuance of a Purchase Order to Central States Bus Sales Inc., in the amount of Ninety-Six Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty and 00/100 Dollars ($96,750.00) for the purchase of one (1) 2026 Ford Transit Van with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant lift and Q’Straint System; by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; and. Setting a date when this ordinance shall be effective.

Documents:

1. CB2026-113.PDF

3.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-119

AN ORDINANCE approving an Agreement between the City of Joplin, the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission, and the Missouri & Northern Arkansas Railroad Company, Inc. that pertains to improved warning devices at the Enterprise Avenue railroad crossing; authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin and setting a date when this Ordinance shall become effective.

Documents:

1. CB2026-119.PDF

4.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-123

AN ORDINANCE approving the City of Joplin to enter into an agreement with Masters Elevator Co. LLC in the amount of One Hundred Eighty Thousand Three Hundred Eighty- Three and 20/100 dollars ($180,383.20) for Elevator Modifications and upgrades of the Elevator located at Donald E. Clark Justice Center & an Elevator located at Fire Station #4 and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin and setting a date when this ordinance shall become effective.

Documents:

1. CB2026-123.PDF

9.

Resolutions

1.

RESOLUTION NO. 2026-007

A RESOLUTION authorizing the filing of a One Year Action Plan with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as required for use of the City of Joplin’s Community Development Block Grant Program (Entitlement) and the Joplin Consortium HOME Investment Partnership Program for program year 2026; and authorizing the City Manager to execute said Plan for and on behalf of the City of Joplin.

Documents:

1. RESOLUTION 2026-007 SUMMARY.PDF
2. FY2026 ACTION PLAN QUICK GLANCE.PDF
3. 2026 ACTION PLAN DRAFT.PDF
4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ATTACHMENTS.PDF
5. RESOLUTION 2026-07.PDF

2.

RESOLUTION NO. 2026-009

A RESOLUTION recognizing Lynn Onstot upon her retirement from active service as Public Information Officer in the Marketing & Communications Department of the City of Joplin, Missouri.

 

Documents:

1. PROCLAMATION FOR LYNN ONSTOT RETIREMENT.PDF

10.

Ordinances - Expedited

1.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-350

AN ORDINANCE approving the contract by and between the City of Joplin and Prime Contracting Inc. for the demolition of the structure(s) and clearing of a lot located at 403 W. 19^th Street; providing how the cost thereof shall be paid; how the assessment thereof shall be made; and containing an expedited clause.

Documents:

1. SUMMARY (GREEN) 403 W. 19TH STREET.PDF
2. APRIL BID PK 2 -PRIME CONTRACTING INC..PDF
3. CB 403 W 19TH .PDF
4. CB 2026 350 403 W 19TH STREET.PDF

2.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-351

AN ORDINANCE approving the contract by and between the City of Joplin and Courtney Construction for the demolition of the structure(s) and clearing of a lot located at 202 N. Florida Ave; providing how the cost thereof shall be paid; how the assessment thereof shall be made; and containing an expedited clause.

Documents:

1. SUMMARY (GREEN) 202 N FLORIDA AVE.PDF
2. APRIL BIDS PK 3 COURNEY CONSTRUCTION.PDF
3. 202 FLORIDA CB PHOTOS.PDF
4. CB 2026 351 202 N. FLORIDA AVE.PDF

11.

Ordinances - First Reading

1.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-006

AN ORDINANCE repealing and replacing the Joplin City Code, Chapter 114 - Traffic, Article III - Operation of Vehicles; Division 1. - Generally; Section 114-171 - Driving while intoxicated; driving with unlawful blood alcohol content, and repealing Section 114-172 - Driving while under the influence of drugs; and establishing a time for such ordinance to become effective.

Documents:

1. CB2026 - DWI SUMMARY SHEET.PDF
2. CB 2026 PROPOSED DWI REPEAL AND REPLACEMENT.PDF

2.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-510

AN ORDINANCE    repealing Section 86-5, Fees at Schifferdecker Golf Course, of Article I, In General, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Joplin and enacting in lieu thereof a new Section 86-5, Fees at Schifferdecker Golf Course, of Article I, In General, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Joplin to implement certain fee changes; and setting a date when this Ordinance shall become effective.

Documents:

1. CB 2026-510 SUMMARY CHAPTER 86 PARKS CODE FEE CHANGES.PDF
2. CB 2026-510 CHAPTER 86 PARKS FEE CHANGES.PDF

3.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-609

AN ORDINANCE approving the applications of Tuff Bull Productions and Bright Futures/Safe and Sound Schools for utilization of FY2026 Festivals and Celebrations support pursuant to Ordinance No. 2000-148, as authorized by the voters on November 7, 2000; authorizing the City Manager to execute appropriate agreements with each such organization for the utilization of such funds.

Documents:

1. SUMMARY CB2026-609 CVB FY26 GRANT FUNDING.PDF
2. ORDINANCE CB2026-609 CVB FY26 GRANT FUNDING.PDF

12.

Ordinances - Second Reading And Third Reading

13.

Unfinished Business

14.

New Business

Senate approves appointment of Christopher Dumm to MSSU Board of Governors

(From Missouri Southern State University)

The Missouri Senate confirmed the appointment of Christopher W. Dumm to the Missouri Southern State University Board of Governors on April 30, 2026.

Dumm has more than 30 years of legal experience and practices in Joplin, Missouri. His work includes advising clients on estate planning, trusts, tax-efficient strategies, business succession and more. In addition to serving clients, he is a frequent lecturer who educates attorneys, accountants, and other professionals on estate planning, elder law, retirement planning and business succession.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration, with a double major in finance and economics, from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He received his Juris Doctor from Regent University School of Law.

Dumm is licensed to practice law in Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Texas and Virginia. He remains active in a range of professional organizations, including bar associations, estate planning councils and financial planning institutes.

Beyond his legal practice, Dumm serves as a board member and past chair of the Mercy Hospital Foundation Board of Directors, and as a past chair of the MSSU Lionbacker Steering Committee. He also has also served as a board member of the Missouri Southern Foundation.

Dumm will be filling Carlos Haley’s board seat, who served the board with distinction from 2017 to 2026.
The board will hold its customary vote to select a chairperson and vice chair on June 11, 2026, during the regularly scheduled meeting at 1 p.m. on the third floor of the Billingsly Student Center.

Only 3 businesses sell alcohol to minors in McDonald County compliance check

(From the McDonald County Sheriff's Office)

On April 24, 2026, the McDonald County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Alliance of Southwest Missouri and the McDonald County Community Coalition, conducted alcohol compliance checks at 28 locations throughout McDonald County.

The operation was carried out as part of an overtime initiative involving sheriff’s deputies, along with the assistance of volunteers ages 18 to 19 who participated in the compliance checks. The Sheriff’s Office extends its appreciation to these volunteers for their dedication, as well as to the businesses and employees who remained vigilant in preventing the sale of alcohol to minors.

The Alliance of Southwest Missouri and the McDonald County Community Coalition will also be offering future training opportunities for local businesses and employees. These trainings will focus on identifying fake identification and preventing illegal alcohol purchases.

Businesses That Failed Compliance Checks

• Walmart — 100 Commercial Drive, Pineville, MO
• Dollar General — 712 N. Main Street, Southwest City, MO
• The Mill — 1288 Route O, Southwest City, MO 

Businesses That Passed Compliance Checks

Southwest City, MO
• SWC Station — 350 N. Main Street
• Stateline SWC — 1000 S. Main Street
• The Filling Station — 27 Route O 

Noel, MO
• BJ’s — 607 N. Cliffside Drive
• Harps – Noel — 514 N. Cliffside Drive
• Rio Alce — 441 N. Cliffside Drive
• Dollar General — 500 N. Cliffside Drive
• Stateline on Hwy 59 — 20925 State Highway 59
• Dass Liquor — 20460 State Highway 59
• Rosas — 444 N. Cliffside Drive 

Pineville, MO
• Macadoodles — 35 Macadoodle Lane
• Stateline 71/OO — 29 Missouri Lane
• Stateline Bear Hollow — 22176 US Highway 71
• Dollar General — 5232 S. Highway 71
• Country Market — 5161 S. Highway 71 

Anderson, MO
• Stangs — 497 E. State Highway 76
• Casey’s – Anderson — 505 S. Highway 59
• Pit Stop — 924 N. Highway 71
• Mr. C’s — 711 N. Highway 71
• Harps – Anderson — 224 E. State Highway 76
• Dollar General — 920 N. Highway 71
• Town and Country — 704 S. Highway 59 

Goodman, MO
• Dollar General — 300 N. Royhill Boulevard
• Goodman Freshway Minimart — 211 N. Roy Hill Boulevard
• Goodman Casey’s — 211 N. Royhill Boulevard 

The McDonald County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to working with community partners and local businesses to reduce underage drinking and enhance public safety throughout the county.

Missouri Senate committee weighs extending transgender athlete ban

By Hailey Sanford

Columbia Missourian

The Senate Education Committee debated legislation Tuesday that would prevent further review of transgender athletes participating in high school and collegiate sports.

Sponsored by state Rep. Brian Seitz, a Republican from Branson, the bill aims to remove the current end date of a 2023 state law requiring transgender students to participate in sports under their biological sex. It has an expiration date of August 2027, and this bill would remove that provision. This bill passed the House in a 98-37 vote, directly along party lines.

Seitz told the committee that his bill would “protect girls and women from a possible unfair advantage in women’s sports. When scientific, biological differences between the sexes are ignored or not taken into consideration, women and girls suffer, becoming less than rather than equal.”

The NCAA prohibits biological males from competing in female sports. Biological males can practice on the women’s team, and any student athlete can participate and compete on the men’s team.

Seitz claimed that transgender women participating in women’s sports have won nearly 900 medals. This refers to a report by an independent human rights expert. The medals are listed on a website that claims transgender women do not belong in cisgender sports.

The website says the number of medals, records, scholarships or other opportunities that transgender women have won over cisgender women at 4,799. At the high school level, there were just two instances where a transgender woman placed higher than all other competitors. The website is self-reported.

Jamie Sgarro, an attorney for the Missouri ACLU and a transgender man, told the committee that this is a non-issue that Missourians are not worried about.

“This legislation is not really about sports. It is about erasing and excluding trans people from participation in all aspects of public life,” Sgarro said.

Stevie Miller, a non-binary transgender man, stepped up in front of the committee members clad in a jacket with “Be not afraid” painted on the back in the colors of the transgender flag.

“This is state-sanctioned bullying, allowing the exclusion of some children. You wouldn’t dare exclude a disabled child from participation,” he said. “How is an androgynous child any different?”

Miller, one of the founders of West Plains Pride, said that transgender and cisgender women perform at about the same level.

Following Miller’s testimony, Education Committee Chair Rick Brattin, a Republican from Harrisonville, questioned having transgender people in the locker room with cisgender people.

“So you think it’s OK for 13-year-old girls to be subjected to a boy with a penis in the shower at a locker room at school,” Brattin asked.

Miller retorted that there is no evidence of that being a requirement in Missouri.

“If you release that information to me, absolutely I’ll believe you, and I’ll change my mind,” Miller said.

Cammie Storm, a transgender woman from West Plains, said legislators should not make the law permanent.

“I have lived in environments where people believe they have the right to control who I was, where identity was something to be corrected,” Storm said. “When the state passes laws like this, it sends a message that those systems were right, and that has consequences.”

Katy Erker-Lynch, executive director of PROMO, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group, said that out of the 510,000 athletes in the NCAA, fewer than 10 are transgender.

“This is not what Missourians want. This is not what our state needs,” Erker-Lynch said, “and to be honest, it is deeply misogynistic and sexist to believe that any man could beat any woman.”

Law enforcement memorial ceremony planned at Jasper County Courthouse

(From the Jasper County Sheriff's Office)

Come join us on May 5 at 11:00 AM at the Jasper County Courthouse in Carthage as we gather to honor and remember the law enforcement officers who have given their lives in service to the citizens of Jasper County.

This is an opportunity for both law enforcement and members of our community to stand together in gratitude and respect for those who made the ultimate sacrifice. 

Their courage, dedication, and commitment to protecting others will never be forgotten.

We invite all officers, families, and citizens to attend as we pay tribute to these true community heroes.

Neosho woman arrested on meth trafficking, possession charges

(From the Newton County Sheriff's Office)

On April 29, 2026, a Newton County Deputy Will Weiser was on patrol in the area of 36th and Range Line Road when he observed suspicious activity. Deputy Weiser made contact with a subject in her vehicle in the parking lot of the Super 8 motel.

An open-air sniff of the vehicle was performed and K9 Loki hit on the vehicle.

After a search of the vehicle was conducted the following was located:

• Approximately 1 pound of suspected methamphetamine
• Small plastic baggies, indicative of drug dealing
• A digital scale
• $1,500 in cash
• Glass pipes, commonly used for the smoking of methamphetamine

The subject contacted with the vehicle is identified as Kiley McDonald, 36, of Neosho, MO.
Charges of Trafficking Drugs 1st Degree, a Class A felony, and Possession of a Controlled Substance, a Class D felony, have been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

Due to this incident, McDonald is being held on a federal parole violation.

The Newton County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information about illegal drugs in our communities to call 417-451-8333 to report the activity.

Sheriff Matt Stewart

Juvenile suffers third degree burns, Lanagan man charged with child abuse

The McDonald County Prosecuting Attorney's office filed a felony child abuse charge against a Lanagan man who allegedly forced a juvenile to take a shower under water that was between 130 and 150 degrees.

An arrest warrant was issued for Trent Walker Ramsey (DOB 1995) with no bond.

From the probable cause statement:

On or about the date of April 24, 2026, suspect Trent Ramsey, stated, juvenile (name redacted) was in the shower, at their home where he watched {the juvenile} turn on the hot water, where Ramsey described the temperature of the water to be in between 130-150 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ramsey stated he wanted to teach the juvenile} a lesson and had him stay in the hot water until he was able to figure out how to turn it off. After {the juvenile} was able to turn the water off, hours later, the child was transported to a hospital where he sustained third degree burns to 40 percent of his body

The case was investigated by the McDonald County Sheriff's Office.

Lockwood man, 41, charged with enticement of a child

(From the Dade County Sheriff's Office)On April 28, 2026, deputies with the Dade County Sheriff’s Office took
Shawn Russell, of Lockwood, Missouri, into custody as part of an
active investigation involving the enticement of a child.

On April 29, 2026, a Dade County felony warrant for Enticement of a
Child was issued. Mr. Russell is currently being held in Jail without bond.

This investigation was conducted jointly by the Dade County Sheriff’s Office and the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force (SMCCTF). We appreciate the Task Force for their professional assistance and
cooperation throughout this case.

The Dade County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to protecting the children of our community. We take all allegations involving the exploitation or enticement of minors extremely seriously, and we will
continue to work closely with our regional partners to ensure these cases are thoroughly investigated.

All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

(Note: The Dade County Prosecuting Attorney's office filed an enticement of a child charge against Russell, 41, today.)

Barton County state audit shows problems, but no signs of fraud, abuse

(From State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick)

A review of governmental operations in Barton County is now complete and the final result is a "fair" rating issued to the county by Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick's report identifies several areas in need of improvement in the Barton County Collector-Treasurer's Office as well as the Sheriff's Office.

"The good news for the people of Barton County is our audit didn't find evidence of fraud or abuse, but we did find a number of areas where county officials need to do a better job of paying attention to details and complying with the law or meeting their obligations to provide adequate oversight. In particular there are a number of issues in the Sheriff's Office that have persisted over the years and need to be addressed," said Auditor Fitzpatrick. "I'm encouraged by the response we received from county officials and hope this means they will fully implement our recommendations to ensure these issues don't exist the next time we audit Barton County."

The report finds the county needs to improve its controls and procedures over the property tax system. The report notes the County Collector-Treasurer violated state law by failing to timely file the annual settlement or monthly settlements for the year ended February 28, 2025. Additionally, neither the County Clerk nor the County Commission adequately review the financial activities of the County Collector-Treasurer. The audit also finds the County Clerk did not prepare the back tax, land and personal tax, or the railroad and utility tax aggregate abstracts for 2024 as required by law.

In looking at the County Collector-Treasurer's Office, the report finds the County Collector-Treasurer does not have current written agreements with cities for tax billing and collection services, which is required by law. The County Collector-Treasurer incorrectly calculated county commissions and withheld incorrect percentages for county commissions for taxes collected during the year ended February 28, 2025. As a result, the county collected approximately $1,300 more than allowed in February 2025, which persisted throughout the year.

A review of the Sheriff's Office finds the Sheriff needs to work to maintain accurate commissary transaction records and reconcile these records to inventory purchased and sold, as well as establish procedures for charging and collecting sales tax on commissary sales. 

The Sheriff also needs to establish procedures to follow up on outstanding checks or ensure liabilities are disbursed in the Inmate Money bank account, and needs to prepare monthly lists of liabilities for the Sheriff's general bank account. The report also recommends the Sheriff work with the County Commission to improve the condition of the Law Enforcement Sales Tax (LEST) fund, which is in poor financial condition, and cease deficit spending in accordance with state law. The fund had a deficit cash balance at the end of 2024 and would have had a large deficit cash balance at the end of 2023 and 2022 without transfers from the General Revenue Fund.

Other findings in the report include the failure of the County Clerk to timely submit certified copies of the 2024 and 2025 county budgets to the State Auditor's Office (SAO) in accordance with state law, a mid-term salary increase for the Sheriff in violation of constitutional provisions and state law, and the lack of a records management and retention policy that includes electronic communication.

The complete audit report for Barton County is available here.

Joplin business owner pleads guilty to gambling conspiracy, money laundering

(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)

An Indian national pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday for his involvement in a multi-million-dollar illegal gambling conspiracy occurring at six locations in southwest Missouri.

Rahulkumar D. Patel, 41, a citizen of India residing in the state of Washington, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr., to one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Patel admitted that he and his co-conspirators obtained approximately $7,696,085 in gross proceeds from their wire fraud scheme and illegal gambling businesses and then conducted various financial transactions for the purpose of laundering the proceeds.

On May 14, 2025, Patel was charged, along with eight other individuals, in a 72-count superseding indictment by a federal grand jury in Springfield. The federal indictment charges all nine defendants with one count each of participating in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, and operating illegal gambling businesses from July 1, 2022, to May 13, 2025. In addition to the conspiracy counts, all nine defendants were charged with at least one count of wire fraud, and eight defendants were charged with money laundering.

Through Patel’s guilty plea, he admitted that he and his co-conspirators ran illegal gambling businesses under the guise of internet amusement arcade games, skill game arcades, and adult arcades. Patel and his co-conspirators hired local employees to work in their businesses, which operated contests of chance, gambling devices, and slot machines in violation of Missouri and Federal law. There were four locations that operated in Springfield: Big Win Arcade #1 at 1928 S. Glenstone Ave., Big Win Arcade #2 at 1135 E. Commercial St., Spin Hitters at 838-840 S. Glenstone Ave., and Vegas Arcade at 615 S. Scenic. They also opened Spin Zone at 2331 E. 7th St. in Joplin, Mo., and Vegas City Arcade at 16585 Missouri Highway 13, Branson West.

Under federal statutes, Patel is subject to a sentence of up to 20, five, and 20 years in federal prison without parole, respectively, for each count to which he pleaded guilty. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Clark. It was investigated by the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, IRS-Criminal Investigations, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Joplin, Mo., Police Department, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Missouri National Guard Counter Drug Unit, the Mid-States Organized Crime Information Center, the Greene County, Mo., Prosecuting Attorney, the Jasper County, Mo., Prosecuting Attorney, and the Johnson County, Mo., Prosecuting Attorney.

 

Department of Justice reaches settlement in case of Springfield landlord who sexually harassed tenants

(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)

The Justice Department announced today that the owners of residential rental properties in and around Springfield, Missouri have agreed to pay $250,000 to resolve a lawsuit alleging that the properties’ former owner and manager sexually harassed female tenants in violation of the Fair Housing Act.

“A home should be a place of safety, not fear and exploitation,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is committed to vigorously holding landlords accountable when they use their power to violate the rights of vulnerable tenants.”

“No tenant should ever be forced to choose between their safety and keeping a roof over their head,” said U.S. Attorney R. Matthew Price for the Western District of Missouri. “Exploiting power for sexual coercion and retaliation is not only immoral, but it’s also illegal. The result of this case makes it clear that the Western District of Missouri will work tirelessly to hold accountable any landlord who violates a tenant’s rights.”

“The Fair Housing Act protects against sex discrimination precisely to prohibit this kind of vile and predatory behavior against vulnerable women,” said Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Craig Trainor at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. “When landlords sexually harass their female tenants, they are not only violating the law but undermining the sense of safety, privacy, and security that the home provides. The Trump Administration will always stand with victims and hold perpetrators accountable.”

“Today’s settlement makes clear that landlords who abuse their position of power by exploiting tenants’ basic needs for housing will be held accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge Machelle Jindra with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Inspector General (OIG). “HUD OIG will not tolerate the use of housing as a tool for coercion, harassment, or abuse, and we will continue to work with our partners to hold offenders fully responsible.”

The Department’s lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri in March 2024, alleges that for over a decade, Jimmie Bell sexually harassed and retaliated against female tenants of rental homes he owned and/or managed in and around Springfield. The suit alleges that Bell’s conduct included making unwelcome sexual comments and sexual advances to female tenants, exposing and touching his genitals in front of female tenants, touching and grabbing female tenants in a sexual manner without their consent, requesting sex or sex acts from female tenants in exchange for tangible housing benefits like excusing late or unpaid rent or the opportunity to rent another home, and taking adverse housing actions such as initiating evictions or refusing to make needed repairs against female tenants who refused his sexual advances.

Under the settlement agreement, Defendants must pay $250,000 to former tenants who were harmed by Jimmie Bell’s harassment. Defendants must also make good faith efforts to have all retaliatory evictions against these tenants removed from public court records and credit reports; and Defendants must cease any ongoing efforts to obtain payments from former tenants who faced retaliatory evictions. Finally, the settlement agreement mandates training to prevent future discrimination, including sexual harassment, at Defendants’ residential rental properties. The Department’s lawsuit named Jimmie Bell as a Defendant, as well as Defendants Fourth Bell LLC and the trustee of Second Bell Trust, owners of rental properties that were managed by Jimmie Bell. Jimmie Bell died in February 2025 and his son, Mark Bell, was substituted as his successor Defendant.

The case was referred to the Division after the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development received a complaint, completed an investigation, and issued a charge of discrimination. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General also participated in the investigation and assisted in the litigation.

If you are a victim of sexual harassment by another landlord or property manager or have suffered other forms of housing discrimination, call the Justice Department’s Housing Discrimination Tip Line at 1-800-896-7743 or submit a report online. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt. This settlement is part of the Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative. The initiative, which the Department launched in October 2017, seeks to address and raise awareness about sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers and other people who have control over housing. Since launching the initiative, the department has filed 52 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment in housing and recovered approximately $19 million for victims of such harassment.

Nine businesses pass Newton County alcohol compliance check, three businesses sell to minors

(From the Newton County Sheriff's Office)

On April 24, 2026, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, working in conjunction with the Alliance of Southwest Missouri and the Newton County Community Coalition, conducted alcohol compliance checks at 15 locations across the county. 

Out of 15 checks, 3 failed, 9 passed and 3 were closed.

Businesses that failed the compliance check:

1. C-Mart (21552 Gateway Dr, Neosho)
2. Dollar General (4943 Highway 43, Joplin)
3. Big Poppa Quick Mart (5302 S. Rangeline Rd, Joplin)

Businesses that passed the compliance check:
1. Dollar General (7185 Gateway Drive, Joplin)
2. Casey’s General Store (6867 Gateway Drive, Joplin)
3. Dollar General (2979 E. 46th Street, Joplin)
4. White Oak Station (5725 Highway 43, Joplin)
5. J&A Package (12640 Gateway Drive, Neosho)
6. Dollar General (12023 Highway K, Neosho)
7. Dollar General (17451 Highway Y, Neosho)
8. Dollar General (12951 Highway M, Newtonia)
9. Yesway (18078 E. Highway 86, Neosho)

Closed at time of check:
1. Hi Point Liquor & Smoke Shop (5211 S. Rangeline Rd, Joplin)
2. Clicks and More (150 Lentz St, Stella)
3. Quik Liquor (4949 Highway 43, Joplin)

The Newton County Sheriff’s Office is committed to ensuring that liquor sale establishments are complying with alcohol laws, especially the sale of alcohol to minors. NCSO encourages anyone with information about the illegal sale of alcohol to minors to call 417-451-8333 to report the activity.
Anonymous tips can be submitted on our website at https://www.nc-so.org/tip.html