Michael Burgess, age 40 from Springfield, Mo, was found guilty of the Class D felony for unlawful use of a weapon following a day and half bench trial heard by the Honorable Laura Johnson, Presiding Circuit Judge for Christian County, Missouri.    A sentence assessment report has been ordered with sentencing set for June 8, 2017.

According the testimony, the defendant drew his firearm and pointed at his ex-wife and her family on his ex-wife’s property.  The defendant threatened to blow their heads off.  The defendant and victims were outside the front door and porch of the ex-wife’s residence.

The case was prosecuted by John L. Young, Senior Assistant Christian County Prosecuting Attorney.  The case was investigated by the Christian County Sheriff Office with assistance from the Ozark Police Department.

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From May 1 through May 5, 2017, John L. Young, Senior Assistant Prosecuting for Christian County completed training at the National Computer Forensics Institute (NCFI) in Hoover, Alabama. The NCFI is a partnership between the United States Secret Service, Department of Homeland Security, and the Alabama District Attorney’s Association to train state and local law enforcement, judges and prosecutors in computer forensics and digital evidence. Mr. Young was one of a select group of prosecutors that came from all over the United States.  Those that attend do so at no cost to the local jurisdiction.

The five-day course provides hands-on experience to allow prosecutors to obtain knowledge and insight into handling criminal cases with digital evidence. The training teaches prosecutors how the computer forensics process is completed by investigators and how to better evaluate and present computer crimes cases.

The in-court exercises dealt with a fictional case that involved fraudulent computer access, identity theft, and forgery of documents, which will equip to him in successfully handling his caseload including property and financial crimes.

In our age of technology, various offenses are committed, documented or aided using a computer or electronic device.  Citizens face the possibility of having his or her electronically stored information hacked and becoming victims of identity theft and or the loss confidential information.  Prosecutors and law enforcement must seek training to equip them with the knowledge necessary to effectively pursue justice.

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On May 11, 2017, Honorable Laura Johnson sentenced MC  Worthon  Jr,  26 of age from Springfield, Mo, to the maximum sentence of  7 years in the Department of Corrections for attempted  robbery in the second degree and 90 days in the County Jail for assault in the third degree.  The defendant had pled guilty for events on November 7, 2016 when he followed the female victim in the Nixa Wal-Mart parking lot to her parked  vehicle. He assaulted her as she was attempting to place her items in her vehicle.  The defendant was attempting to steal her purse and flee with the assistance of his co-defendant in their nearby vehicle.

The case was investigated by the Nixa Police Department.  John L. Young,  Senior Christian County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney prosecuted the case.

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OZARK, MO – The Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announces that on April 28, 2017, Roy Tarvin DOB: 12/17/1976 of Butler, MO, was sentenced by the Honorable Judge Jennifer Growcock.

Tarvin previously had pled guilty on February 24, 2017, to two counts, count I – endangering the welfare of a child (sexual conduct) and count II – sexual contact with a student.  This occurred in Christian County, Missouri between October 31, 2014 and November 20, 2014.

The defendant pled pursuant to a plea agreement.  Per the terms of the plea agreement the defendant received a seven (7) year sentence in the Missouri Department of Corrections on count I and a four (4) year sentence in the Missouri Department of Corrections on count II.  Count I and Count II to run concurrent to one another.

At sentencing, the State requested the Court sentence the defendant to the Missouri Department of Corrections.  Defendant through counsel requested the Court place Defendant on probation.

The Court sentenced Tarvin to seven (7) years in the Missouri Department of Corrections pursuant to §559.115, Sex Offender Assessment Unit on Count I.  The Court sentenced Tarvin to four (4) years in the Missouri Department of Corrections pursuant to §559.115, Sex Offender Assessment Unit on Count II.  Count I and II to run concurrent.

The Sex Offender Assessment Unit is an intensive assessment program for sex offenders that provides a complete psychological assessment to determine an offender’s extent of psychopathology, risk to reoffend and amenability to treatment.  It also offers basic relapse prevention education. The Sex Offender Assessment Unit is normally 120 days in the Mo. Department of Corrections. After the assessment is completed, the Court will be given a recommendation, and the Court will then determine whether probation should be granted.

Endangering the Welfare of a Child (sexual conduct) is a class C felony.  The range of punishment for a class C felony is a term of incarceration not to exceed seven (7) years in the Missouri Department of Corrections and/or a fine not to exceed $5000.  Sexual Contact with a Student is a class D felony.  The range of punishment for a class D felony is a term of incarceration not to exceed four (4) years in the Missouri Department of Corrections and/or a fine not to exceed $5000.

This case was investigated by the Christian County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Prosecuting Attorney Amy Fite.

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On April 17, 2017, Toby Jay Hulstine, age 47, formally of Ozark was sentenced for two 10 year sentences for bad checks dating from June 10, 2014 to the OFL and from February 4, 2013 to Liberty Bank. Judge Eric Eighmy was assigned the case after the defendant filed a Motion for Change of Judge.

Judge Eighmy retained jurisdiction after 120 day shock sentence in the Department Of Corrections. If the defendant completes the 120 shock, he could be on probation for 5 years. One condition of probation will be payment of restitution by monthly payments.
The case was Prosecuted by Senior Christian County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney John L. Young.

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