Christian County Prosecuting Attorney

OZARK, MO – The Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announces that on June 20, 2024, Dustin Daron Arnold, 43, was sentenced to 15 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to two counts of felony theft, Conspiracy to Commit a Class C Felony, Burglary 2^nd Degree, and Property Damage 1^st Degree.

The charges stem from a burglary at a Nixa residence on January 24, 2023. Among the items stolen from the residence was a sixty-thousand-dollar sports car later recovered near Clinton, MO. Evidence indicated that Arnold planned the burglary and auto theft weeks in advance. Arnold appeared with his attorney on jury trial April 22, 2024. The parties selected a jury panel before reaching a plea agreement prior to the introduction of evidence. In return for Arnold’s guilty plea, the State agreed that it would argue for 15 years imprisonment at sentencing. As a persistent felony offender, Arnold could have faced up to 30 years or life imprisonment had he proceeded to trial.  

At the June 20 sentencing hearing, the assistant prosecutor asked that Arnold be sentenced to fifteen years in prison, highlighting Arnold’s past criminal convictions, his history of failure on probation, and his refusal to accept full responsibility for his actions. After hearing argument from both sides, the Court sentenced Arnold to 15 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for Stealing a Motor Vehicle as a Prior Stealing Offender, 15 years for Conspiracy to Commit a Class C Felony, 10 years for Burglary 2^nd Degree, 10 years for Stealing – $750 or more, and 7 years for 1^st Degree Property Damage. Arnold’s sentences will run concurrently for a total of 15 years in the Department of Corrections. Arnold faces additional charges out of Greene County and Lawrence County for Delivery of Controlled Substance and Resisting Arrest. 

The case was prosecuted by Christian County Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys Chris Aiken and Michael Younker. Julie Harlan served as Victim Advocate and Violet Marquart served as Legal Assistant. The Christian County Sheriff’s Department investigated the crime with help from Cass County Sheriff’s Office.   

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On June 7th, 2024, the Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office hosted the inaugural Elder/Vulnerable Multi-Disciplinary Team Meeting (MDT). Members from the prosecutor’s office, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the Christian County Sheriff’s Department, the Ozark Police Department, the Nixa Police Department, the Ozark Senior Center and Burrell Behavioral Health convened to discuss how to help the most vulnerable in our community.

The mission of the newly formed Elder/Vulnerable MDT is to develop a professional team committed to protecting and improving the lives of elders and adults with disabilities within our community. The vision is NO MORE VICTIMS.

As discussed in the meeting, by 2030 the senior population will reach 72 million people (20% of the US population) and 1/5 of all Missourians will be 65 and older. By gathering and sharing information, Elder/Vulnerable MDT members will: understand the roles of fellow agencies, reduce trauma and duplication of services to victims, network to collaborate creatively for victims, improve prosecution outcomes and provide greater awareness of and access to services for victims.

The Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office recognizes we cannot do this work alone and would like to thank all the participants for their willingness to assist the most vulnerable in our community. For more information please contact Dawn Kloba or Julie Harlan, Victim Advocates.

Please congratulate Donna Hanley for being recognized as employee of the month of April! Donna does a great job with her case load, helps others with their cases, teachers news things, happy to help, and pitches in to help fellow legal assistants without asking. Congrats Donna!

On May 30th, 2024 Judge Johnson confirmed Robert Asperger as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney.  He then received his badge of office by Prosecuting Attorney Kristen Tuohy.

Judge Johnson confirming Robert Asperger as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney.

Prosecuting Attorney Kristen Tuohy giving Robert Asperger his badge of office.

Welcome to the team, Robert!

The Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the Nixa Police Department, Missouri Children’s Division, and the Springfield Child Advocacy Center is conducting its third “Crime Scene to Trial” training in Ozark, Missouri. From May 14-16, 2024, the Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, along with other multidisciplinary (MDT) members who routinely investigate child abuse and neglect reports will be training participants from several counties on how best to investigate these complex crimes.

In Missouri, every county has a local MDT, and the members are responsible for the investigation and prosecution of cases of child abuse and neglect in their community. The MDT includes the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the Springfield Child Advocacy Center, Missouri Children’s Division, law enforcement, medical professionals, the Juvenile Office, and victim advocates.

In February 2022, members of the Christian County MDT were selected from applications from across Missouri to participate in a three-day training program by the Zero Abuse Project called “Train the Trainer: Crime Scene to Trial.” Christian County became the first county in Missouri to become certified to hold this nationally recognized training.  “Crime Scene to Trial” specifically trains MDTs on how to complete a case, beginning with a crime scene investigation and ending with the filing of criminal charges.

The Christian County Prosecutor’s Office will use a portion of grant funds awarded though the Department of Social Services and State Technical Assistance Team for training in the area of child sexual abuse investigations to host the simulated training. This year’s training includes a mock house to allow participants to complete an actual search of the mock crime scene. The hands-on training will enable professionals to recognize, react, and respond appropriately to identify child maltreatment.

When real-life child abuse happens, officers will often be involved and make a hotline call to Missouri’s Child Abuse & Neglect hotline. Participants are encouraged to become actively involved in the child abuse and neglect investigation from the beginning. This training allows each member of the MDT to be involved from the beginning of the investigation. Participants are also encouraged to communicate freely between local agencies to make the best decisions for the investigation and, more importantly, the safety of any children involved.

A typical training with this program will give the participants a fact pattern, including a simulated 911 call. In this training, the participants can interact with MDT members and local actors posing as suspects and witnesses.

Throughout the training, participants will be able to interview actors posing as suspects, witnesses, and child victims (MDT members). The training will include simulated reports from law enforcement, Missouri Children’s Division, and medical professionals. The Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has also sought the participation of other necessary people in child abuse investigations like forensic interviewers (who are specifically trained to speak with children), medical providers, etc.

This training provides valuable information on best practices for members of the participating MDTs to better investigate and prosecute cases of child abuse and neglect in their area. 

Many child sexual abuse cases are never reported to law enforcement. If you suspect a child needs help, make a report. The Children Division’s Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-392-3738.