Fifteen offenders sentenced for roles in Northwest Arkansas meth trafficking conspiracy

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

Duane (DAK) Kees, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas; announced that on April 2, 2019, the final of fifteen (15) individuals were sentenced by the United States District Court for their roles in a methamphetamine trafficking ring which operated in Benton and Washington Counties in Arkansas and in additional jurisdictions such as California, Oklahoma, Illinois, Arizona and Mexico.

 This investigation and prosecution operation lasted from approximately mid-2017 through today’s final sentencing hearing. The Honorable Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearings in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.

According to court records, on July 24, 2018, a federal grand jury returned two Indictments containing a total of sixteen (16) counts against fifteen (15) individuals in the Northwest Arkansas area and beyond for activities in a large-scale drug trafficking conspiracy. 

 This drug trafficking ring was responsible for the importation of multiple kilograms of methamphetamine into the Northwest Arkansas area from California and Mexico for local distribution. 

Once sold, bulk amounts of United States currency loaded in vehicles were driven back to Mexico as payment for the methamphetamine via the Laredo, Texas port of entry. The individuals were arrested in operations conducted by the DEA in conjunction with the Fayetteville and Springdale, Arkansas police departments on May 18, 2018.

Defendants in this conspiracy received the following sentences:

Pedro Zambrano, age 23, of Phoenix, Arizona was sentenced April 2, 2019 to 240 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. Zambrano was indicted in the Western District of Arkansas in June 2018 and plead guilty on September 7, 2018.

Alexis Rios-Tamayo age 21, of Phoenix, Arizona was sentenced January 22, 2019 to 41 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. Rios-Tamayo was indicted in the Western District of Arkansas in June 2018 and plead guilty on August 10, 2018.

Eduwijes Cervantes-Mendoza, age 58, a citizen of Mexico residing in Springdale, Arkansas was sentenced January 22, 2019 to 210 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine. Cervantes-Mendoza was indicted in the Western District of Arkansas in June 2018 and plead guilty on September 7, 2018.

Santana Gonzales-Aguirre, age 45, a citizen of Mexico residing in Bentonville, Arkansas was sentenced February 6, 2019 to 15 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute of Methamphetamine. Gonzales-Aguirre was indicted in the Western District of Arkansas in June 2018 and plead guilty on September 7, 2018.

Gregory Miranda, age 23, of Ventura, California was sentenced February 6, 2019 to 15 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. Miranda was indicted in the Western District of Arkansas in June 2018 and plead guilty on September 21, 2018.

Michael Shannon Howard, age 52, of Green Forest, Arkansas was sentenced February 6, 2019 to 33 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. Howard was indicted in the Western District of Arkansas in June 2018 and plead guilty on July 16, 2018.

John Paul Farias, age 39, of Springdale, Arkansas was sentenced February 6, 2019 to 121 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. Farias was indicted in the Western District of Arkansas in June 2018 and plead guilty on September 28, 2018.

Miguel Saldana, age 24, of Boone County, Arkansas was sentenced April 1, 2019 to 120 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. Saldana was indicted in the Western District of Arkansas in June 2018 and plead guilty on September 28, 2018.

Sarahi Flores-Quintero, age 22, of Phoenix, Arizona was sentenced February 5, 2019 to 40 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. Flores-Quintero was indicted in the Western District of Arkansas in June 2018 and plead guilty on September 28, 2018.

Victor Sanchez-Hernandez, age 47, a citizen of Mexico residing in Hindsville, Arkansas was sentenced February 5, 2019 to 240 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of Distribution of a Methamphetamine. Sanchez-Hernandez was indicted in the Western District of Arkansas in June 2018 and plead guilty on July 9, 2018. 

Jose Octavio Sanchez, age 21, of Hindsville, Arkansas was sentenced February 5, 2019 to 12 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of being an unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm. Sanchez was indicted in the Western District of Arkansas in June 2018 and plead guilty on September 28, 2018.

Elizabeth Ramirez, age 30, of Springdale, Arkansas was sentenced February 5, 2019 to 44 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. Ramirez was indicted in the Western District of Arkansas in June 2018 and plead guilty on June 25, 2018. 

Jesus “Don Chuey” Ramirez-Santoyo, age 63, of Tulsa, Oklahoma was sentenced February 5, 2019 to 48 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. Ramirez-Santoyo was indicted in the Western District of Arkansas in June 2018 and plead guilty on September 7, 2018.

This prosecution was part of the Western District of Arkansas’ Operation Ozark Express, which is part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program. The OCDETF program is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s drug supply reduction strategy. OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illicit drug supply.

This OCDETF case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration in Fayetteville, Arkansas and Chicago, Illinois; the Springdale Police Department; the Fayetteville Police Department; the Arkansas State Police; the Arkansas National Guard Counter-Drug Unit; and the Department of Homeland Security in Phoenix, Arizona. Assistant United States Attorney Brandon Carter prosecuted the case for the Western District of Arkansas.

Hartzler, Wagner sign discharge petition for Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act

(From Fourth District Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler)

Today Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-04) stood in unity with Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23), Whip Steve Scalise (LA-01), and Rep. Ann Wagner (MO-02), among numerous other members of Congress, in signing a discharge petition for the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which would require medical providers to give the same level of care to a baby born following an attempted abortion as they give to any other child who is born prematurely. Hartzler also participated in a press conference this afternoon, speaking on the urgency of this legislation. You can watch a clip of her speaking here.

“All newborn babies have the right to proper medical care,” Hartzler said. “It is common sense that any child who is born alive, even after an attempted abortion, deserves this. We already have a law on the books recognizing infants as ‘persons,’ but this bill will hold abortionists responsible to follow the law.”

The 2004 born-alive law recognized infants born during an abortion as “persons” but did not require abortionists and health care professionals to treat the born alive infant with the same degree of care given to any other baby. Infants born alive during an abortion can die by direct homicide, as in the case of Kermit Gosnell, or neglect.

Today’s Born-Alive bill requires any health care professional present at a live birth to exercise skill, care, and diligence to preserve the life and health of the child. After those efforts, the health care workers must transport and admit the child to a hospital. Furthermore, this bill requires health care practitioners and hospital employees to report violations to law enforcement authorities, in order to reduce the number of born alive abortions that go unreported. This provision will save lives, Hartzler added.

Recognizing that women are the second victims of abortion, this bill would give the mother of the abortion survivor a civil cause of action to seek help for her child, while also protecting the woman from prosecution.

Trial dates set in June and July for Ace Mohr on assault, armed robbery charges

Summer is going to be a busy time for Ace Mohr.

Online Jasper County Circuit Court records show Mohr, 25, Carthage, is scheduled for two jury trials within a two-week time period.

The first trial, expected to last one day, June 25, is on a domestic assault charge stemming from an August 18 incident investigated by the Carthage Police Department and detailed in the probable cause statement, which says Mohr "pushed (the victim's) face into a wall causing (the victim's) upper lip to break and bleeding to occur.

"Ace then locked (the victim) in the bathroom, taunting (the victim) to kill (redacted). He then shoved (the victim's) face into broken glass on the floor causing a laceration on the forehead and serious bleeding to occur."

The victim was able to break away from Mohr, according to the statement and 911 was contacted.

Judge David Mouton will preside.

A July 9 trial date has been set for Mohr on assault and armed robbery charges. Three days have been set aside for the trial. Judge Dean Dankelson will preside.

The charges stem from an October 27 incident investigated by the Carthage Police Department in which Mohr allegedly beat a Carthage man with brass knuckles and stole his wallet, phone and watch.

The charges against Mohr were spelled out in the probable cause statement:

On 10/27/2018 (the victim) was contacted at Mercy McCune-Brooks Hospital where he reported an assault and robbery to the Carthage Police Department.

On 10/27/2018 (the victim) was attacked and hit repeatedly on the face and head with brass knuckles by Ace Nolan Mohr at 1200 Regan St. Carthage, Jasper County, Missouri.

During the assault Ace stole (the man's) wallet (unknown items inside it), black in color Android smartphone (unknown make or model) and black Timex watch. Per Mercy Hospital records (the victim's) injuries were a swollen and tender left eye which (the victim) was unable to open; facial fractures of the orbital bones; facial fractures of the zygomatic process and facial fractures of the maxillary sinus all on the left side of his face.

At the time both crimes were allegedly committed after Judge Mouton sentenced him to five years in prison, suspended the sentenced and placed him on probation for five years March 5, 2018, on charges of receiving stolen property and possession of heroin with intent to distribute. As part of his plea agreement, multiple felony charges, including possession of methamphetamine and cocaine, were dropped.

Mouton found probable cause that Mohr violated his probation during a December hearing and scheduled a probation violation hearing for 9 a.m. Monday, April 15.

Mohr is being held on the Jasper County Jail on a $25,000 bond for the domestic assault charge, $250,000 for the armed robbery and assault, $100,000 on each of three charges of probation violation and $500 bond on a Carterville Police Department warrant for failure to appear on a driving while revoked charge.

State audit: Secretive changes in state tax withholding tables could increase amount Missouri taxpayers pay

(From State Auditor Nicole Galloway)

Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway today released an audit detailing uncertainty and confusion related to the state's individual income tax withholding tables. The report found that changes made to withholdings in January 2019 were done unlawfully and will result in over-withholding for the majority of individual Missouri taxpayers.

"For more than six months, this administration failed to communicate with Missourians on how changes to withholdings would affect their bank account. Then, despite bipartisan calls for answers, they attempted to downplay the issues," Auditor Galloway said. "Taxpayers deserve honesty from the administration. Instead, the Department of Revenue continues to operate in secrecy."

In December, as a part of the audit of the timeliness of tax refunds, Auditor Galloway directed her team to begin asking questions about the withholding tables.

The report outlines multiple changes made to the withholding tables and the administration's failure to effectively communicate with the public about those changes. New tables were released in March 2018 and October 2018. 

As a result of these changes, taxpayers are expected to pay an additional $134 million when they file their returns, and there will be $232 million less in tax refunds issued.

Changes were made without explanation and resulted in confusion for individual taxpayers. While department officials contacted employers and payroll agencies directly about the changes, they failed to adequately notify all taxpayers. 

As a result, many taxpayers were unaware of the changes, unclear on what adjustments to make to their withholdings, and have encountered an unwelcome surprise in the form of unexpected tax payments.

In January 2019, the withholding table calculation was changed to over withhold. This change is expected to result in an additional $62.9 million coming from Missourians with adjusted gross incomes under $125,000 annually, 53 percent of Missouri taxpayers. The administration failed to follow the appropriate legal process for the changes despite state law requiring legislative and public review.

On March 8, the Department of Revenue received the Auditor's draft report. Less than a week later, the Governor announced the department director's resignation.

"Over and over, this executive agency makes decisions that directly impact the daily lives of Missourians without clearly communicating with the citizens who are affected. The decision to take more money out of paychecks without going through the legally required process shows a clear pattern of mismanagement," Auditor Galloway. "It should be simple: follow the law, get it right, and stop misleading taxpayers."

The report also found that the timeliness of refunds in fiscal year 2018 improved after an audit last year brought to light increasing delays in issuing refunds. Eighty percent of total refunds were paid by May 9, 2018; in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 the state did not reach that payout level until late June. The audit also found 3 percent of total refunds were paid with interest in 2018, as opposed to 24 percent in 2017. 

Concerns remain, however, as the state continues to rely on borrowing to supplement cash flow and pay operating obligations. Cash reserves have not recovered since the recession in 2008, even as the economy has improved. 

In past years, the state's decreasing cash balance resulted in less money to pay Missourians' tax refunds. In fiscal year 2019, the state's general revenue fund has not had sufficient cash to cover expenditures, resulting in high levels of borrowing to make ends meet. 

The state has borrowed $500 million from the budget reserve fund, the maximum level of borrowing for the year. By law, that money must be repaid before May 16.

The complete audit can be found here.

Parson reminds that April is National Autism Awareness Month

(From Gov. Mike Parson)

Governor Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson are reminding Missourians April is National Autism Awareness Month. Tuesday, April 2 is specifically designated as World Autism Day. During this month, citizens across the state, the nation, and the world should join to increase the awareness, understanding, and acceptance of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), also known as Autism.

Autism is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges. The learning, communication, and problem-solving abilities of people with autism can range from gifted to severely challenged. Those living with autism and their families face a number of challenges, often needing supports and accommodations in their daily lives.

“Autism is one of the fastest growing developmental disorders in the United States,” said Governor Parson. “There are no cures today, but early diagnosis and intervention are a child’s best hope for reaching his or her full potential.”

In the State of the State, Governor Parson advocated for $1 million increase to ensure families and parents have access to the right resources and are equipped to deal with the challenges that come with caring for a loved ones with Autism.

Signs of autism begin during early childhood and usually last throughout adulthood. The Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) most recent data indicates autism impacts 1 in 58 children, which is a 30 percent increase from the previous estimate in 2012.

Throughout April, there are a number of ways we can work together to increase awareness and acceptance of people with autism and their families including participating in Autism Speaks Wear Blue, Share Blue, and Light It Up Blue campaigns. Everyone is encouraged to wear blue during the month of April, especially on April 2.

“For all of the children and their families who deal with autism on a day-to-day basis, there is no doubt that attention needs to be given to the hurdles they face,” said First Lady Teresa Parson. “As an advocate for special needs children, I am honored to support autism awareness and pray that the understanding and acceptance of this condition will increase as a result.”

“Autism Spectrum Disorder affects more than 70 million people globally—and this number likely includes someone you know,” said Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick. “April may be Autism Awareness Month, but working to increase understanding of those living with autism should be something we all do year round.”

“My son Stephen was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, and while it’s been challenging at times, he has been an incredible blessing to our family. Stephen has taught me a deeper sense of compassion and instilled in me the importance of defending and protecting the most vulnerable members of society, something that I’m able to do every single day as Attorney General,” said Attorney General Eric Schmitt. “I’m grateful that Governor Parson and people across the state are recognizing and celebrating the sacrifice and dedication of Missouri families who care for children on the autism spectrum. It’s my hope that Autism Awareness Month will spark renewed faith among Missourians who care or advocate for children on the autism spectrum, lead to more innovative and unique treatments, and remind families that they aren’t alone in this journey.”

Autism Awareness Month is a great time to raise awareness of the disorder, but individuals and families need support and acceptance all year. For more information on autism, visit the Department of Mental Health, Office of Autism Services website.

Ed Emery: Legislation allows parole boards to deviate from mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent crimes

(From Sen. Ed Emery, R-Lamar)

Of all the legislation moving through the Missouri Senate this year, there is one measure that clearly illustrates bi-partisanship, compromise and common sense.

The Senate committee substitute for Senate Bills 8 and 74 is the product of a partnership of legislative colleagues who don’t always view issues from the same perspective. Senators of both parties and different cultural backgrounds have come together to propose meaningful reforms to our criminal justice system.

This legislation grants discretion to parole boards to deviate from mandatory minimum sentence guidelines subject to carefully crafted limits. It keeps those we are afraid of securely behind bars while allowing those we are merely mad at to be carefully examined for possible rehabilitation. It only affects those individuals who are serving prison time for non-violent and non-sexual offenses.

We experienced a time when the mood in America was to get tough on crime. Lock ’em up and throw away the key, was the cry of the day. Our prisons were soon overcrowded, and we discovered that our desire to “teach criminals a lesson” often backfired. Non-violent offenders who served their sentences alongside hardened criminals usually left prison more dangerous than when they entered.

The “lessons” these offenders received in prison did not make them good citizens. There are also examples of harsh sentences that did not fit the crime. Does it really make sense to view all offenders as equally dangerous or deserving of lengthy imprisonment? Do long sentences always serve society’s interests?

This legislation is an example of lawmakers beginning to reconsider the practice of mandating minimum sentences for non-violent offenders. 

 Working closely with prosecutors, the Corrections Department and criminal justice advocates, the Senate has revisited a proposal from last year and arrived at what I believe is a sensible and workable position. 

The “Justice Safety Valve Act” would grant leeway to the Missouri Parole Board to consider additional offenders for parole if their offense did not involve the use of force or violence, was not sexual in nature and did not include brandishing or discharging a firearm, and only after an individual risk assessment. The effect will be to preserve the security of the population while recognizing that some people really do change.

It might seem odd, then, that at the same time we’re facilitating reduced sentences, there’s another measure moving through the Legislature that would eliminate the possibility of parole for anyone who assaults police officers, firefighters or other first responders during the performance of their duties. Senate Bill 19, which was brought up for perfection in the Senate chamber last week, would even deny bail for some offenders who attempted to resist arrest or interfere with the duties of a police officer.

There’s a long held belief that an attack on uniformed public servants, such as police and firefighters, is an attack on society as a whole. The assumption is that someone who would harm a first responder is so incorrigible that they cannot be rehabilitated. The intent of SB 19 clearly is to impose the kind of threat that will significantly deter aggression against first responder public servants. I am still considering whether that argument is convincing.

These and many other questions were raised as the Senate began discussing this measure. These two measures, which seem to conflict in spirit and principle, illustrate the complexity of decisions faced by the General Assembly, how some of them are difficult to parse and why we need your prayers.

Senate Condemns Pornography

This week, my colleagues in the Missouri Senate passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 3 with a unanimous vote. This non-binding resolution merely confirms the Senate’s belief that pornography leads to individual and societal harms and that the legislative body recognizes the need for education, prevention, research and policy change at the community and societal level.

No intellectually honest person can argue the negative effects of pornography, especially upon children. This resolution recognizes that children are being exposed to pornography at elementary school ages and enumerates some of the ways this exposure is harmful. 

Pornography contributes to the hypersexualization of teenagers, can lead to low self-esteem and body image disorders, normalizes sexual violence and abuse, increases the demand for sex trafficking, prostitution and even sexual abuse of children, degrades women, is linked to infidelity and general dissatisfaction in marriage and threatens healthy family relationships. The Senate came together to condemn this evil that is a scourge on our civilization.

Prayers for flood victims

Finally, Missourians grieved as we watched television footage of flood waters inundating homes, farms and businesses along the Missouri River. One can only imagine the feelings of helplessness as people watched rising waters consume the fruits of a lifetime of labor. If you are inclined toward prayer, I ask you to turn your thoughts to those affected by the recent floods. They face a hard road back as they clean up the mess and begin to rebuild their lives.

Ed Martin: President Trump is absolutely right to close the border

(From Phyllis Schlafly Eagles)

Friday, President Donald Trump renewed his threat to close the southern border this week if Mexico continues to grant a massive stream of illegal immigrants passage through to the U.S. border.

"President Trump is absolutely right to close the border, and I'm surprised he hasn't already," said Ed Martin, president of Phyllis Schlafly Eagles.

"Our southern border is under assault by never before seen numbers of illegal aliens. Migrants are crossing in record numbers and our border protection system is near collapse.

"President Trump should close the border immediately. Congress must recognize and act on the crisis that is brewing. Mexico must also step up and stop allowing the passage of these massive migrant caravans. They aren't truly lifting a finger when they could do so much to ease this humanitarian crisis. Close the border now, Mr. President."

Moran: Green New Deal is damaging and irresponsible

(From Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas)

On Tuesday, I voted against the ‘Green New Deal,’ sweeping environmental legislation that would upend nearly every sector of the Kansas and American economy.

The Green New Deal is an irresponsible proposal that fails to recognize the significant advancements and efforts being made by Kansas farmers and ranchers to protect our soil, air and water. How we do things matters, and while we must continue working to conserve our environment, we ought to do so in a common sense manner. 

Besides costing trillions of dollars, proposals contained in the Green New Deal would raise energy prices for Kansas families, harm small businesses and manufacturers and cost our state jobs.

This ‘Deal’ is a divisive step backward that takes away from serious policy discussions about efforts to address our changing climate, and is yet another reminder that many coastal elites choose to overlook the significant contributions rural America makes to the issues facing our nation. 

As chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, I remain committed to working in a bipartisan fashion to support NASA, NOAA and the research they conduct in climate science to encourage continued innovation.

Detention motion: Anderson man received pornography involving toddler from former Joplin resident

In a detention motion filed today in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, an assistant U. S. attorney asked that Levi Erwin, 26, Anderson, be held without bond while awaiting trial on charges of receiving and distributing child pornography.

The motion outlined Erwin's dealings with former Joplin resident Paige Cagle, 25, who has been charged in U. S. DIstrict Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky with receiving and distributing child pornography.

(O)n February 21, 2019, McDonald County, Missouri, Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) received a report that child pornography had been located on the defendant’s cellular phone. MCSO Detective D. Pierson interviewed the defendant, who stated, he began speaking with Paige Cagle on the KIK application. 

Erwin knew Cagle as they used to work together. Erwin disclosed that the two engaged in sexual conversations, including Cagle sending him a video of Cagle vaginally stimulating a two-year-old minor female. 









On February 21, 2019, TFO Roller conducted a forensic examination the defendant’s phone and located chat messages within the KIK application between the defendant and Cagle, as well as images and videos. 

During those graphic conversations Cagle asks Erwin if he liked the genital area of underage girls.
Erwin asked Cagle why she asked him that and she said she knew his girlfriend was 15. Cagle sent a photo of a girl she said was nine years old.

HSI/ICE and the Kentucky ICAC Task Force located Cagle in Lexington, Kentucky, and Cagle admitted to sexually abusing minor females for several years and creating images and videos of the sexual abuse. Cagle identified Erwin as an individual she was trading child pornography with.

A federal grand jury indicted Erwin March 27.

Jury trial scheduled for Joplin man charged in 2017 stabbing

The trial of a Joplin man charged with assault and armed criminal action in connection with an August 5, 2017, stabbing was scheduled to begin today in Jasper County Circuit Court before Judge David Mouton.

The alleged crime committed by Christopher J. Sanders, 41, was detailed in an August 7, 2017 Joplin Police Department news release:

On August 5, 2017 at 0538 AM an officer with the Joplin Police Department was on patrol in the area of 20th and Bird. He came across an adult male walking in the roadway. When he contacted him he found that he was covered in blood and had been stabbed in the chest.

The male was in medical distress and the officer quickly realized he had a “sucking chest wound.” The officer applied immediate medical attention while Fire and EMS responded. The male was transported to the hospital.

A detective with the police department responded and began an investigation. He was able to track down a location where the assault possible occurred. While he and patrol checked an address of 1710 South Wall, they observed a male crawl out of a second story window before retreating back into the apartment. Officers eventually took a suspect into custody at that location for the assault.

The suspect as identified as Christopher J Sanders, 40, Joplin. Sanders was arrested for first degree assault and armed criminal action and those charges were submitted to the Jasper County Prosecutor’s Office. 

The trial is expected to last two days.