Joplin lawyer disbarred

The Missouri Supreme Court disbarred Joplin attorney Kathleen Wolf Miller today.

The order was issued today after Miller failed to respond to the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel's recommendation of disbarment.

According to documents filed January 16 with the Missouri Supreme Court, Miller did not respond to the following accusations against her, although she was offered numerous opportunities to do so.

a. abandoning her clients with little to no communication

b. depositing personal funds into her client trust account

c. failing to maintain the required financial records
d. refusing to provide a client with his file

e. having support staff make false representations to a client

f. refusing to respond to multiple requests to provide Informant with information

g. making a false representation to her client

h. abandoning her clients in a way that prejudiced the administration of justice

The document outlined how Miller allegedly harmed her clients:

Respondent abandoned clients Alexander S. and Whitney F. Respondent caused Alexander S. and Whitney F. injury in that both clients had to undertake the expense of hiring new counsel.

Respondent abandoned client Michelle B. in a child support modification hearing. Michelle B. had to proceed without an attorney and an award increasing Michelle B’s child support obligation was entered.

Respondent knowingly failed to perform services for Connor A., George C., and Terrino P. causing harm to each client’s case.

In the cases of Alexander S., Whitney F., Connor A., George C., Terrino P., and Michelle B., Respondent engaged in a pattern of client neglect that qualifies as client abandonment or near abandonment in such a way that all of their cases were injured in ways unique to each case.

Charges filed against Joplin man for shooting at 18th and Main

The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office filed felony charges against a Joplin man this afternoon in connection with a shooting Monday night near 18th and Main.

Trent Lamont Cobb (DOB 1990) is charged with assault and armed criminal action.

From the probable cause statement:

Cobb arrived at the location with IO1 who walked over to V1 who was near the front of the location. IO1 hit V1 in the head with her hand and an argument ensued. Cobb then walked behind a white SUV that was parked in the parking lot. 

Cobb then began to argue with V1 and then pointed a handgun and firing at V1 striking V1 in the abdomen. Cobb then fled the scene on foot. 

W1 positively identified Cobb as the shooter after viewing a photo lineup. I reviewed surveillance video taken from the business of the incident showing IO1 run up from north in front of the business and hit V1 in the head with her right hand. 

I then observed Cobb walk up from the north and stand beside a white SUV the point a handgun towards V1. V1 then fell to the ground grabbing his stomach and Cobb fled the scene on foot. I was able to positively identify Cobb as the shooter after viewing booking photographs taken at the Joplin City Jail. 

As of this afternoon, Cobb was still at large. The victim remained in serious condition at Mercy Joplin.

Diamond man charged with raping 15-year-old girl bound over for trial

A Diamond man who allegedly forcibly raped a 15-year-old girl was bound over for trial today following a preliminary hearing in Newton County Circuit Court.

Joseph Daniel Magrum, 37, was charged after Newton County Sheriff's Office investigators saw a forensic interview last July. The crime allegedly took place in March 2023.

According to the probable cause statement, Magrum allegedly raped the girl after they had smoked marijuana in his pickup.

Neosho R-5 counselor placed on leave as investigation continues into possible crime involving children

A Neosho R-5 elementary counselor has reportedly been placed on paid administrative leave as an investigation continues into alleged criminal conduct.

Multiple sources tell the Turner Report the counselor, who has not been charged with any crime at this point, is being investigated by local law enforcement for alleged crimes that did not take place on school property and had nothing to do with the district but did involve children.

Two sources told the Turner Report the counselor was not placed on administrative leave until the media began asking questions about the employee's status.

Joplin City Council meeting moved to Tuesday due to hazardous weather forecast

(From the City of Joplin)

The National Weather Service has announced a Hazard Weather Outlook for Joplin and the surrounding area. Due to the elevated tornado, hail, and thunderstorm wind damage risks, tonight’s Joplin City Council meeting has been postponed until tomorrow, Tuesday, April 2. 

It will be held at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers on the fifth floor of City Hall. The Informal Council meeting begins at 5:15 p.m. Agendas for both meetings can be found on the City Council’s page on Joplin’s website.

 

The weather hazards noted by the National Weather Service include:

Elevated tornado risk
Elevated hail risk
Elevated thunderstorm wind damage risk
Significant lightning risk
Elevated excessive rainfall risk


According to the NWS, confidence is high that severe thunderstorms will form west of the area and move into southeast Kansas and western Missouri late this afternoon into this evening, generally after 4 p.m. Initially, large hail up to 2-3 inches in diameter, damaging winds of 60 to 80 mph, and tornadoes are the primary threats. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is likely. Joplin is noted as having Enhanced Risk (3/5) for severe weather today.

To view City Council agendas...

New felony bad check charge filed in Newton County against former Carl Junction businesswoman

Less than three weeks after a felony bad check was filed against her in Jasper County Circuit Court, a former Carl Junction businesswoman is facing another bad check charge in Newton County.

The new charge comes as a result of the same Joplin Police Department investigation that led to the earlier charges against Lauren Ann Zallar, (DOB 1986), former owner of E & P Wireless. Her initial appearance in Jasper County Circuit Court is scheduled for 9 a.m. April 10.

As in the Jasper County charge, Zallar is alleged to have written and cashed checks on a closed account.

From the probable cause statement:

On 01/11/2024, a report was made with the Joplin Police Department in reference to checks being deposited on a closed from a closed account at a business located in the City of Joplin, Newton County Missouri. RP advised that on 12/08/2023 Zallar deposited a check in the amount of $500.00 at an ATM at 32nd/McClelland Blvd at 2152 hours. 

Zallar then deposited 3 other checks from a closed account on the following dates:

 

12/09/2023 at 0314 hours in the amount of $ 300.00, 12/09/2023 hours in the amount of $300.00, and then again on 12/10/2023 at 0041 hours in the amount of$ 250.00. 

The RP advised that Zallar had written all the checks to herself from an account that she had at US Bank that had been closed. The RP advised that Zallar had transferred the money to herself through CashApp before the checks were returned advising that the account was closed. 

Video surveillance footage was provided that showed Zallar depositing the checks at the ATM on the above dates. Zallar was identified by reviewing photographs of her Missouri OLN photo. 

Contact was made with Zallar by the RP in reference to the checks that were deposited, and Zallar was uncooperative. I also made attempts with Zallar in reference to this case and was unsuccessful in my attempts.

Zallar is also awaiting trial in Jasper County Circuit Court on drug trafficking and driving while intoxicated charges. Her next court appearance in that case is scheduled for April 11.

Probable cause: Lockwood sex offender kidnaps woman, threatens to kill her and her dog, burn her house down

A Lockwood sex offender with a long criminal history was charged today in Dade County Circuit Court with kidnapping, armed criminal action, domestic assault, failure to register as a sex offender and unlawful use of a weapon.

Frederick Wade Witzke Jr. (DOB 1962), allegedly threatened to kill a Lockwood woman and her dog and burn her house down.

On 01/09/2024 during a stolen vehicle investigation, I made contact with Frederick Wade Witzke Jr at his residence located at 402 MO-D Highway, Lockwood Missouri. 

During this investigation, I learned Mr. Witzke was a convicted sex offender and was required to be registered with the Missouri Sex Offender Registry. I checked the registry and learned he was noncompliant (Tier Level 3) and still showed an address in Maries County Missouri. 

I advised Mr. Witzke that he needed to immediately register as a sex offender in Dade County. Mr. Witzke stated he had been living at the residence since Christmas (2023) and would register as soon as he could. 

On 01/21/2024 Mr. Witzke called Dade County 911 reporting a possible burglary in progress at his residence. Mr. Witzke admitted he was armed with a weapon and would "shoot" if the unknown persons gained entry into his residence. 

On 03/29/2024 I was contacted by T.S. about Mr. Witzke living at her residence located at 402 MO-D Highway. T.S. stated: She was scared of him. 

She went on a date with him around Christmas (2023), and he stayed the weekend at her house. He is still at her house and will not leave. 

Around January 1st (2024) she told him that he needed to leave the residence. She has a 9mm handgun in the residence. Mr. Witzke got angry and took her gun away from her. She attempted to reach for the gun to take it back, Mr. Witzke grabbed the gun, grabbed her by her shirt, and threatened her with the gun. 

Mr. Witzke held her dog up by his neck and threatened to kill her and her dog. He stated he wasn't leaving her residence, and she couldn't make him leave. He threatened to kill her, kill her dog, and burn her house down if she did not comply with what he wants. 

Today 03/29/2024,he told her that he was going to sexually force himself on her when she got home. He told TS if he didn't kill her, he would send someone else to do it, if TS didn't do what he wanted. She had no idea of his criminal past. 

T.S. stated that Mr. Witzke will not allow her to have her gun back. He keeps it in his bedroom at all times. The bedroom he is living in is by the front door of the residence. His bedroom window is next to the front door. 

T.S. applied for an ex parte order of protection from the Dade County Circuit Court and was issued an order. T.S. gave law enforcement permission to enter and search her residence if needed for the gun. T.S. was not home and was afraid for her life if she went back due to contacting law enforcement about Mr. Witzke, due to his threats to her if she did contact law enforcement. 

I again checked the Missouri Sex Offender registry, Mr. Witzke was still showing non-compliant and had not registered with Dade County as a sex offender. 

I drove to the residence located at 402 MO-D Highway and made contact with Mr. Witzke by telephone. I asked Mr. Witzke to come outside the residence where I made contact with him on the front porch and placed him into handcuffs. I advised Mr. Witzke he was under arrest for failure to register as a sex offender. I advised Mr. Witzke of his Miranda rights, in which he stated he understood. 

Sheriff Huffman served Mr. Witzke with the ex parte order. Mr. Witzke denied that there were any firearms in the house, and he had no knowledge of one. Mr. Witzke gave me consent to enter his bedroom to get his prescription medications and search the bedroom for the firearm. 

Deputy Hinson escorted Mr. Witzke inside to his bedroom to be present during the search. Mr. Witzke admitted that T.S. had a pistol, but he never had it other than when someone was trying to break into the residence, when he called 911. 

He gave the pistol back to T.S. and she hid it in her bedroom somewhere. Everything in his bedroom is his. T.S. does not have anything in his bedroom. Mr. Witzke again advised reporting officer that I could search his bedroom. 

Sheriff Huffman gathered Mr. Witzke's prescription medications at Mr Witzke's direction and I started searching the bedroom for the firearm. I was able to locate Jimenez Arms model: J.A. Nine 9mm handgun (serial number 156398) laying on the floor at the head of the bed mattress in the room. The gun was located in between the bed mattress and the south wall. The gun's magazine was fully loaded with one bullet in the chamber of the weapon. I advised Mr. Witzke I had located the firearm in his bedroom. Mr. Witzke did not make any further comment about the gun. 

Mr. Witzke has the following felony convictions on his criminal history, including but not limited to:

Assault 1st degree 05-27-1983 MO HP Troop I Rolla Missouri : 

Assault 1st degree 07-24-1984 Phelps County Missouri : 

Sexual Abuse 1st degree 07-24-1984 Phelps County Missouri : 

Domestic Assault 3rd degree 09-17-2018 Laclede County Missouri : 

Failure to register as a sex offender 11-13-2018 Saline County Missouri. 

And several arrests that were not prosecuted. 

Joplin woman who stole more than $300,000 in online fraud scheme to be sentenced

 

A Joplin woman who stole more than $300,000 in an online fraud scheme will be sentenced 11:30 a.m. May 21 in U. S. District Court in Springfield.

Bonnie Henning, 62, received at least $302,960.56 between July 8, 2020 and continuing through at least August 2022.

In the plea agreement, the government notes Henning has been cooperative and made no recommendation on a sentence.

The agreement requires Henning to make restitution.

Sentencing set for Pittsburg man on cocaine charge

A Pittsburg, Kansas man who pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine May 11, 2023 will be sentenced 10:30 a.m. May 21 in U. S. District Court in Springfield.

In exchange for his guilty plea, a charge of possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute was dismissed against Justin T. Lapping, 49.

Lapping led Kansas authorities on a motorcycle chase August 9, 2022 into Barton County. After entering Missouri on U. S. 160, Lapping abandoned the motorcycle and fled on foot. Barton County officers deployed tasers and took Lapping into custody.

Lapping was carrying a Ziploc baggie that contained approximately 202 grams of cocaine and fentanyl.

Sentencing date set for Carthage man caught with child porn on his work computer

An 11:30 a.m. May 21 sentencing has been scheduled in U. S. District Court in Springfield for a former official of the H. E. Williams company in Carthage who was caught with child pornography on his work computer.

The sentencing for Shane Barton, 56, Carthage, was originally scheduled for December, but was postponed.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, the director of information technology for H.E. Williams was alerted to a suspected virus on Barton’s company-issued computer that was in Barton’s office and connected to the business network.

On January 5, 2022, he observed an unauthorized anti-virus program on the computer and discovered numerous files that contained adult and child pornography. He notified management of the violation of company policy.

While doing so, he noticed the files were being deleted. Fearing that Barton was possibly tampering with evidence, he locked Barton out of the network and his company-issued computer.

Barton was placed on leave, the affidavit says, pending the resolution of an internal investigation. He was instructed to turn over his company-issued iPhone. A forensic examination of the computer identified approximately 10,000 images and approximately 100 video files of suspected child pornography, the affidavit says, as well as additional video files of suspected child pornography on the iPhone.

Barton resigned from his position with the company a couple of weeks later.