Shannon Stephens, a Victim Advocate in the Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, has been elected to serve a 3 year term on the MOVA Board of Directors. MOVA, the Missouri Victim Assistant Network, is a non-profit organization, whose mission is to promote fair treatment for victims of crime. The board is made up of 25 people from different geographic and service areas all over the State of Missouri. The board works toward making legislative, organizational and educational improvements for Missouri’s victims of crime, as well as for those who advocate for those victims. MOVA not only has been and continues to be a driving force in promoting change in the criminal justice system, but their work also includes conducting training and informational seminars on domestic and sexual violence for Victim Advocates, organizing events for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, and working toward creating a community response to crime victims. Shannon is looking forward to representing Southwest Missouri, while being a part of a team of people who are all focused on working toward the goal of making advancements for and on behalf of victims of crime all across Missouri, and on a statewide level.

Ms. Stephens case assignment is predominately made of sexual and physical abuse of children.

OZARK, MO – The Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announces that on April 29, 2016, James Dylan McGinnis, dob: 4/14/1991, pleaded guilty to a pending case and admitted to violating his probation on his prior case in front of the Honorable Judge Laura Johnson.

McGinnis pleaded guilty to failure to appear for events that occurred between March 12-18, 2016.  After requesting he be furloughed to attend the funeral of a family member, McGinnis was granted a furlough by the Christian County Circuit Court. The terms of the court ordered furlough directed McGinnis be released at 8 a.m. on March 12, 2016, and to return to the Christian County Jail on March 12, 2016, at 8 p.m. The Court also set his pending felony probation revocation on March 18, 2016.

McGinnis did not report back at the jail as ordered, and on March 18, 2016, McGinnis did not appear in court on his felony probation revocation case before the Christian County Circuit Court.  In the early morning hours of March 19, 2016, Christian County detectives, with the assistance of Stone County deputies, located McGinnis.  McGinnis asked why he was being arrested. After being told it was because he failed to appear, McGinnis stated, “You can’t blame me for that, I have a lot hanging over me.”

He pleaded guilty as a prior felony offender.  Pursuant to a plea agreement, McGinnis received a sentence of four (4) years in the Missouri Department of Corrections, said sentence to run consecutively with his probation revocation case. The range of punishment for a class D felony is one day up to four (4) years incarceration and/or fine not to exceed $5000.

McGinnis also admitted to violating the terms of his probation on his prior case, and sentences of seven (7) years in the Missouri Department of Corrections were imposed on each count, those counts to run concurrent to each other.  On this prior case, McGinnis had pleaded guilty to two class C felonies of second-degree burglary and theft/stealing of a firearm.  The range of punishment for a class C felony is one day up to seven (7) years incarceration and/or a fine not to exceed $5000.

The total sentence that McGinnis will serve in the Missouri Department of Corrections is eleven (11) years.

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On April 14, 2016, First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Janette Bleau received a Women’s Justice Award as a Public Official. This award serves to recognize Janette’s dedication to seeking and serving justice for the victims of crime in Christian County. Her efforts and experience are invaluable to this office and community.

Also honored was Lara Webb Fors, director of the Springfield Regional Prosecutor’s Child Support Office. Lara’s office is responsible for assisting parents in Southwest Missouri (including Christian County) in getting back on track for their children.

Congratulations, Janette and Lara!

Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office honored and recognized Edith Burk and her daughters and Charlie Rickard and his beloved horse Poco during the Victim Memorial Garden ceremony on April 11, 2016.  Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Anna Bunch prosecuted the case against the offender that attacked Edith Burk and her daughter. Ms. Bunch spoke regarding the dedication of the brick to recognize 95 year old Edith Burk for her spirit and compassion.  First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Kristen Tuohy successfully tried the offender who drove recklessly, hitting and seriously injuring Charlie Rickard while he was riding his beloved horse Poco.  The offender then fled the scene leaving Mr. Rickard in a ditch requiring immediate medical assistance and Poco to suffer a painful death.  Ms. Tuohy dedicated a brick to honor Mr. Rickard and his beloved horse Poco.

The employees of the Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office are very grateful to have the opportunity to participate in the Victim Garden Memorial Ceremony and dedicate bricks each year to individuals whose lives have been dramatically impacted by crime.  It is a beautiful setting for a family member to be remembered or a survivor honored.  This ceremony takes place during National Crime Victim’s Week (April 10, 2016 – April 16, 2016).  In addition to participating in this event, the Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office sponsors a poster contest each year for 5th grade students to show their support for those that are hurting.  This year, the courthouse was filled with 352 posters from 5th graders across Christian County.  We do this so the many victims of crime can see the support and outpouring of the community.  This is especially meaningful for a child victim to be able to see other children supporting him or her.

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OZARK, MO – The Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announces today that
Colton Hovey, dob: 3/31/1995 of Ozark, Missouri was found guilty of both counts: stealing and trespass, after a jury trial in front of the Honorable Judge Doug Bacon on March 24, 2016.

The jury deliberated approximately 25 minutes before reaching its verdict. Hovey was found guilty for an incident that occurred on December 26,2014 in the W. McGuffey and N. 10th Street area in Ozark, Missouri.

Evidence adduced at trial included that the defendant was observed taking mail out of mailboxes. When law enforcement arrived, the defendant hid behind a tree and then ran. The defendant was observed by an officer hopping over a fence from the backyard of a residence. Officers found mail to a resident in the area that had fallen out of the defendant’s jacket.

Formal sentencing is set for May 4,2016. The jury recommended a punishment of six (6)
months in the Christian County Jail and a fine on the stealing count and a fine on the trespass count.

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