Oronogo man charged with rape, sodomy, child molestation

An arrest warrant was issued today for an Oronogo man charged with rape, sodomy, child molestation and domestic assault, with all of the crimes allegedly committed against a 15-year-old Carthage girl.

Bond is set at $250,000 cash only for Alex F. Flores Dominguez (DOB 2005). Online records indicate he is not in custody.

The allegations against Flores Dominguez are detailed in the probable cause statement:

On October 21, 2025, Carthage Police Officers received a report regarding a missing/runaway juvenile. 

A subsequent forensic interview was conducted with the female juvenile victim. The victim disclosed that during August through October 2025, while she was 15 years old, she was engaged in an intimate relationship with Alex Flores-Dominguez, whom she had known prior to the summer. The victim stated that Flores-Dominguez became aware of her age after viewing a missing person flyer and speaking with her about it. There is a documented age difference of 4 years, 7 months, and 14 days between the victim and Flores-Dominguez.

The victim reported that during late August, September, and into October 2025, she and Flores-Dominguez engaged in sexual intercourse on three separate occasions. The victim further disclosed that during one of these encounters, Flores-Dominguez forced her to engage in deviate sexual intercourse. 

The victim stated that on every occasion of sexual intercourse, she was highly intoxicated as a result of alcohol and/or drugs, and that she was unable to provide meaningful consent due to this incapacitated state. 

The victim also described Flores-Dominguez as being physically forceful during their sexual encounters and stated that on one or more occasions, he choked her.

During a subsequent interview, Alex Flores-Dominguez admitted to having sexual contact with the Victim on multiple occasions, corroborating her statements regarding both the use of alcohol and marijuana and the sexual encounters themselves.

Neosho man charged with sexual misconduct with 5 women, held on ICE detainer

The Newton County Prosecuting Attorney's office filed charges of assault and sexual misconduct, both misdemeanors against a Neosho man today.

According to the probable cause statement, Rafael Garcia-Nolasco (DOB 1999) committed the crimes at a Neosho restaurant, though the name of the restaurant was redacted.

From the probable cause statement:

On 11/4/2025, one victim stated Garcia recently grabbed her by her hips pulled her "towards his {sex organ}," and then kissed her on the neck. Garcia frequently refers to {her} as "my love or mi amor."

While in the walk-in cooler, Garcia leaned in and hugged another victim,. before kissing her shoulder. Garcia began calling her "mi amor."

A victim stated Garcia would come up behind her, hug her from behind, and then reach around and feel her legs.

Another victim, stated Garcia would poke her in the side and would try to trap her in the freezer while calling her his ''wife." Garcia would also blow kisses at her and pull the clips out of her hair.

Another victim, stated Garcia repeatedly touches the waitresses against their will and refuses to stop when asked. {She} confirmed Garcia pokes, grabs, and kisses waitresses noting the freezer was a location where this frequently occurred due to lack of people and cameras.

Based on the consistent, detailed statements from five different victims, there is probable cause to believe that Rafael Garcia repeatedly subjected these individuals to non-consensual sexual contact, including touching the hips/legs, forceful hugging, and kissing, often while using sexually suggestive language and without the victims' consent. 

Garcia was taken into custody at the restaurant and transported to the Newton County Sheriff's Office Jail, where he was also held on an ICE Detainer.

***

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Carthage man indicted for being felon in possession of a firearm

A grand jury indictment of a Carthage man for being a felon in possession of a firearm was unsealed today in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.

According to the indictment, Jeromy Michael Daughtery, 32, was arrested with a firearm September 7.

Jasper County Circuit Court record indicate the Carthage Police Department arrested Daughtery that day and the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney charged him with unlawful possession of a firearm and resisting arrest.

From the probable cause statement:

On 09/07/2025 at approximately 1417 I, Cpl. Snow, attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Jeromy Daughtery riding a bicycle for failing to signal as he turned south onto the 200 block of south Francis from the alley.

I turned on my emergency lights and chirped my siren at him. He did not turn around to look. He continued into the 300 block of Francis where he looked back at me, held up his hand signaling to wait. He continued east into the alley picking up speed attempting to elude me. I got along side him and passed him, stopping in front of him behind 313 Sophia. 

As I exited my vehicle Daughtery was tangled with his bicycle trying to run.

Daughtery got free from the bicycle and began running north towards the residence. Daughtery quickly tripped and fell to the ground on his stomach. I got on top of his back and got his hands behind his back.

Daughtery advised he had a gun on him. He said the gun was not his and that he had just taken it from a 16 year old. I asked Daughtery if he was a felon and he said yes.

Federal grand jury indicts Carl Junction man on meth trafficking, weapons charges

A grand jury indictment of a Carl Junction man on methamphetamine trafficking and weapons charges was unsealed today in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.

According to the indictment, Zarius Zentel Johnson also known as "Highh Risk Takerr" on his Facebook profile possessed meth with intent to distribute June 12 in Jasper County.

Between June 6 and June 12, Johnson received a stolen firearm and on June 12 possessed a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

The federal charges against Johnson stem from a June 12 Joplin Police Department traffic stop. He was charged in Jasper County Circuit Court with drug trafficking and unlawful use of a weapon.

The probable cause statement for that case can be found at this link.

***

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Joplin man charged with statutory sodomy of 14-year-old Carthage girl

An arrest warrant was issued Monday for a Joplin man who allegedly committed the statutory sodomy of a 14-year-old rural Carthage girl August 29.

Bond was set at $250,000 cash only.

According to the probable cause statement, Dylan Wayne Bowlsby, 26, forcibly pushed the girl to the bed, pulled her pants down and sodomized her, as she yelled for him to stop.

The statement indicated the girl suffered a small tear.

On September 04,2025, I Detective Calvin conducted an interview with Dylan Bowlsby where he denied the accusation. 

The next day Mr. Bowlsby left his residence at night without notice, and his family does
not know his current location. I have attempted to contact Mr. Bowlsby without success, and he is no
longer staying in the area.

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

Remembering the day I interviewed Dick Cheney

The first time I was invited into the rarefied atmosphere of Leggett & Platt's corporate headquarters in Carthage was the afternoon of Thursday, September 23, 1993.

Carthage Press Managing Editor Neil Campbell sent staff photographer Ron Graber and me to cover an appearance by a national political name, a man who was rumored to be considering a 1996 presidential run.

Neil made it clear that Leggett officials told him we could cover the man's speech but I wasn't going to be able to interview him. The former government official had already dealt with area media during a press conference at the Joplin Regional Airport.

I nodded as Neil passed on the instructions.

Challenge accepted.

As soon as we left the newsroom, Ron, who had been at the Press for a little over a year and who knew my approach to reporting, asked me how I was going to do it.

I didn't know, but I wasn't going to leave Leggett & Platt without an interview with former Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney.

Cheney was ostensibly in southwest Missouri to help Seventh District Congressman Mel Hancock launch his re-election campaign. Hancock, who had already served three terms, announced during that airport press conference that his fourth term would be his last.

While Cheney was there to support Hancock, he was also laying the groundwork for a presidential campaign.

The room was jampacked and I wasn't able to get anywhere near either Cheney or Hancock. As Ron moved into position to take photos, I worked my way around the room trying to figure out how to get to Cheney after he finished speaking and hobnobbing with all of the local Republicans.

After more than 32 years, it's difficult to remember anything Cheney said, except there were a few well-received criticisms of President Bill Clinton and Cheney joked about his presidential aspirations, saying he had talked with former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell about the campaign and neither could decide which one should be the presidential candidate and which one should be the vice presidential candidate.

The crowd thought the joke was funny.

I would say you had to be there to understand why people laughed, but I was there and I still don't think it was that funny.

When Cheney finished, as expected people gathered around him. I moved around the circle and hung in there as people left and were replaced by other people. Finally, as Cheney started to pull away, I made my move.

"Mr. Secretary," I said.

He turned and before he could say no, I asked him three questions as an impatient Leggett official waited to take him away.

It would make a better story if I could say that I asked him deft, incisive questions and that he was impressed by the skill of a small-town reporter.

With the passage of 32 years, I have no idea what I asked him. I only remember that he politely answered the questions.

What I do remember is that I didn't use the answers to the questions in my story, which should give you a reasonably good idea of their quality.

Dick Cheney, the only future vice president I ever interviewed, if you could call it that, died Monday at age 84.

 

Filing period for Joplin City Council opens November 18

(From the City of Joplin)

Citizens interested in running for a City Council seat in April 2026 may pick up their nominating petitions from the City Clerk starting Tuesday, November 18, 2025. Petitions must be returned to the City Clerk by 5 p.m., Tuesday, January 13, to be eligible for the April 7, 2026, election.

The Council will have five seats on the ballot, including three general seats and one seat each in Zone 1 and Zone 4. Currently, Doug Lawson, Doris Carlin, and Josh DeTar hold the general seats. Gary Shaw holds the Zone 1 seat, and Mark Farnham holds the seat in Zone 4. All seats would be elected for a term of four years. 

 

To be eligible, citizens must be qualified voters and have been residents of Joplin for at least four years immediately before the election. Those who are seeking election within Council Zone 1 or 4 should be residents and qualified voters within the respective zones in which they file as a candidate. Candidates will also be required to show their voter identification card to the City Clerk when applying for the election.

Nominations of candidates for all elective offices shall be by petition. General seat candidates should obtain 150 signatures from registered Joplin voters throughout the city. Zone candidates will need to obtain 150 signatures from registered Joplin voters, with 75 of those coming from the represented zone. Zone elections are included in the citywide ballot. All candidates will also be required to sign a declaration of candidacy with the City Clerk’s office.

Candidates can seek the state requirements for filing financial reports on their campaigns through the Missouri Ethics Commission.

The City Clerk will provide a booklet on Council Election Guidelines, providing more details about this process to interested parties. For more information, contact Holly Nagy, Joplin City Clerk, on the second floor of City Hall, 602 South Main, by calling 417-624-0820, ext. 1220, or via email at hnagy@joplinmo.org.

Kehoe orders flags flown at half staff for Dick Cheney

(From Gov. Mike Kehoe)

Today, in honor of former U.S. Vice President Richard "Dick" Cheney and in accordance with 4 U.S. Code §7, Governor Mike Kehoe ordered that U.S. and Missouri flags be flown at half-staff at all government buildings in the State of Missouri, beginning today and continuing through the day of the former vice president's interment, which has yet to be announced.

"Vice President Cheney devoted his life to serving our nation with honor and distinction," Governor Kehoesaid. "Throughout his decades of public service, he exemplified unwavering commitment to the United States' security and prosperity. In recognition of his long and distinguished career, we honor his life of service by lowering the flags across Missouri."

Cheney’s career in public service spanned more than four decades. He served as White House Chief of Staff under President Gerald Ford, represented Wyoming in the U.S. House of Representatives, and later served as Secretary of Defense under President George H.W. Bush. From 2001 to 2009, he was Vice President of the United States under President George W. Bush.

On November 3, former Vice President Cheney, 84, passed away due to complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease.

Probable cause: Joplin man high on marijuana when he hit pedestrian

A $100,000 bond has been set for a Joplin man charged with driving while intoxicated-serious physical injury after hitting a female pedestrian Friday at East Markwardt and South Florida.

Chad A. Davis (DOB 1976) told the investigating Joplin Police Department officer it was "incredible" that Mejia Gonzalez was the only pedestrian he hit "and that he suspected he hit more than one pedestrian," according to the probable cause statement.

Chad was speeding through a residential neighborhood and he stated he saw pedestrians on both sides of the roadway, but became distracted by the amount of people. Then he stated that as he approached the intersection of Markwardt/Florida, he saw Mejia in the roadway and slammed on his brakes but could not stop in time.

The investigating officer reported Davis smelled of marijuana, his speech was slow and mumbled and his eyes were bloodshot and dilated.

Additionally, under Miranda warning, Chad confessed to consuming approximately "one blunt" prior to operating his vehicle.

Davis was originally booked on a misdemeanor DWI, but the charge was upgraded after it was learned that Mejia Gonzalez had suffered three broken vertebrae and stitches to the back of her head. 

Jason Smith: President Trump offering a lifeline to Missouri's agricultural economy

(From Eighth District Congressman Jason Smith)

For weeks now, Democrats have held our country hostage by shutting down the government – declaring the suffering of the American people and the harm being done to our economy as “leverage” in their pursuit of taxpayer-funded health care for illegal immigrants and cuts to rural health care. 

This shutdown is pure partisan obstruction, plain and simple. Washington Democrats are demanding Republicans enact their radical left-wing agenda in exchange for the nonpartisan goal of keeping government open. That’s not going to happen. While Democrats obstruct, President Trump and Republicans in Congress are doing the real work the American people elected us to do: defend American jobs, expand opportunity for working families, and restore America’s strength.

President Trump has been on the job, delivering for working families across the United States. This week, President Trump added to the economic momentum his administration and Republicans in Congress achieved through tax cuts for working families and America First economic policies by securing additional trade deals in Asia that will help level the playing field for American workers, manufactures, and farmers. In just nine months President Trump has achieved more on trade than the Biden Administration did in four years. There is more work to be done to improve commodity prices and give our farmers a fair shot, but every day we take a new step in the right direction.

The new agreements with Cambodia and Malaysia will open new, and expand existing, markets for American agriculture and goods. Both nations have now agreed to drop 99.5 percent of their tariff and non-tariff barriers on American-made products – something that would have been unthinkable just a year ago under a Biden Administration that was entirely out to lunch when it came to trade. This means more customers for American-grown products, fairer treatment for American producers and workers, and more jobs at home.

Additionally, the Trump Administration has announced two new trade frameworks with Thailand and Vietnam that are shaping up to be massive wins for our farmers and ranchers. Currently, Thailand and Vietnam charge a 50 percent and 30 percent tariff on U.S. beef, respectively. I have been championing the elimination of Thailand’s tariff on beef for years. As the frameworks with Thailand and Vietnam are finalized in the coming months, I will continue to urge the Trump Administration to prioritize the elimination of both countries’ high tariffs on beef.

However, it doesn’t stop there. After meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, President Trump secured a tremendous commitment: China will buy 25 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans annually over the next three years, starting with 12 million by January. Soybean farmers across the Bootheel have been struggling in the current ag economy. This commitment is welcome news and rest assured I will continue working with the Trump administration to ensure our soybean farmers can compete globally and have market access to export their products.

These agreements are a lifeline for America’s agriculture economy who is facing one of the worst economic environments in decades thanks to the previous administration’s disastrous economic policies. It’s simple: when our farmers and ranchers win, America wins. When our manufacturers get a level playing field, America wins. When Washington stops apologizing and starts negotiating from a position of strength and resolve, America wins.

While Washington Democrats continue to use the suffering of American families as leverage to enact their extreme radical agenda, I commend President Trump for his work to deliver a level playing field that allows Missouri farmers and ranchers to compete and win. The world is watching a new chapter of American strength unfold. Written not by elites or lobbyists, but by farmers and workers that embrace small-town values and who never gave up on this country.

That is the America I believe in. It is the America worth fighting for.