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Yearly Archives: 2020
CARES Act funding awarded for temporary APA’s and Investigators, APA’s sworn in
Beginning in August the CCPA was able to hire three veteran Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys, Rachel Smith, Dwight Scroggins, and Joe Schoeberl and two experienced investigators, Kevin Holle and Justin Varner. The final member of the CARES ACT Team started on September 9, 2020. The team will serve through December 2020. While here they will be focused on assisting in addressing the caseload backlog created as a result of the pandemic.
Brittany Scrivener Sentenced to 20 years in Missouri Department of Corrections for July 2018 Car Chase and Assault Against Police Officer
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Amy Fite
Prosecuting Attorney
(417) 581-7915
DATE: August 24, 2020
RE: Brittany Scrivener Sentenced to 20 years in Missouri Department of Corrections for July 2018 Car Chase and Assault Against Police Officer
OZARK, MO – The Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announced that Brittany Scrivener dob: xx/xx/1991 formerly of Springfield, Missouri was convicted of Unlawful Use of a Weapon Shooting from a Motor Vehicle, Assault 2nd Degree (3 counts), Armed Criminal Action (3 counts), Possession of Methamphetamine, Resisting Arrest by Flight and Driving While Under the Influence of Controlled Substance for crimes committed on July 8, 2018.
On August 24, 2020, Judge Laura Johnson formally sentenced Ms. Scrivener to twenty years in prison. Ms. Scrivener plead guilty to all crimes charged as a part of a plea agreement with the Christian County Prosecutor’s Office on August 17, 2020. The Defendant admitted to leading officers on a high-speed police chase throughout Christian County on July 9, 2018. In Court, she agreed that during the pursuit, she fired multiple shots at three different officers. No private citizens, officers or police vehicles were hit by the shots fired. The defendant admitted that during the high-speed pursuit, she possessed methamphetamine and was under its influence while driving the car.
Nixa Police Department handled the investigation of this case. Christian County Sheriff’s Office and the Missouri Highway Patrol assisted Nixa Police Department in apprehending Ms. Scrivener and in ending the pursuit. The case was prosecuted by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Rachel Smith. The team assigned to this case included: Victim Advocate Julie Harlan, Legal Assistant Libby Deroche, and Investigator Kevin Holle.
New APA Jacob Cantwell Sworn In
On June 30, 2020 Judge Bacon swore in Jacob Cantwell as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney. Prior to receiving his badge of office he was administered the Prosecutor Code of Ethics by Prosecuting Attorney Amy Fite.
Jacob Cantwell, a native of Warrensburg, Missouri received his Juris Doctorate from the Washburn University School of Law (2019). He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Evangel Universtiy (2016).
POSITION AVAILABLE – Victim Advocate
The Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has an immediate opening for a full-time Victim Advocate. The Victim Advocate will be knowledge as to the criminal justice process. The Victim Advocate will support victims and witnesses going through the criminal justice process by providing information to victims and witnesses about the criminal justice process. The Victim Advocate will support victims and witnesses by keeping victims and witnesses appraised regarding court dates and court events. Victim Advocates will provide victims and witnesses information about the constitutional and statutory rights afforded to victims of and witnesses to crimes. The victim advocate will be knowledge regarding resources in the community to share about available resources to the victims and witnesses.
Qualified candidates will be able to exercise good judgment, be a team player, and be patient. The qualified candidate must be able to work under pressure and deadlines. The qualified candidate will be required pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check. This is a safety sensitive position.
The Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is a fileless office. The successful candidate will be proficient at keyboarding. We use PROSECUTORbyKARPEL as our case management system.
Preferred candidate will have previous experience as a victim advocate and/or a degree in criminal justice, psychology or a related degree.
Resumes will be accepted until position is filled.
If interested, please forward a cover letter and resume by mail or e-mail to:
Amy Fite
Prosecuting Attorney
Circuit Courts Building
102 W. Walnut, First Floor
Ozark, MO 65721
e-mail: Amy.Fite@prosecutors.mo.gov
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Closure of Illusions Gentlemen’s Club
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: AMY FITE
Prosecuting Attorney
(417) 581-7915
OR
BRAD COLE
Christian County Sheriff
(417) 582-5330
DATE: July 17, 2020
RE: Closure of Illusions Gentlemen’s Club
OZARK, MO – Christian County Prosecuting Attorney Amy J. Fite and Sheriff Brad Cole announce the closure of Illusions Gentlemen’s Club.
Today the Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office working with the Christian County Sheriff’s Office completed two (2) cases stemming from an investigation into suspected criminal activity occurring inside Illusions Gentlemen’s Club. The investigation into the Nixa, Missouri strip club and adult cabaret began in 2019. To date, the investigation has resulted in both criminal and civil cases. One criminal case involved charges against one of Illusions’ owners. The civil case sought an injunction from the Court ordering the closure of Illusions as an illegally operating strip club. Other criminal and civil investigations against other suspects are ongoing.
Christian County Sheriff Brad Cole explained “I and my team of dedicated deputies and detectives spent countless hours addressing the crime and safety problems emanating from Illusions strip club. Their diligence and hard work over the last year, coupled with skilled advocacy from the Christian County Prosecutor’s Office, lead to the closure of Illusion’s strip club.”
Christian County Sheriff Office’s detectives found probable cause of various violations of criminal law and submitted them to the Christian County Prosecutors Office to review for formal charges. Christian County Prosecutors filed ten (10) criminal charges against Craig Winchell for illegally operating a sexually oriented business, maintaining a public nuisance and failing to register Illusions as a fictious business. Mr. Winchell accepted responsibility for these charges by pleading guilty this afternoon. He was sentenced by Christian County Associate Circuit Court Judge Bacon and will pay fines totaling $10,000 plus court costs and fees.
Craig Winchell is one of the owners of Illusions – owning both the Guin Road building and the sexually-oriented business. In an agreement with the Christian County Prosecuting Attorney, Mr. Winchell agreed that a sexually oriented business (strip club) cannot operate at 755 Guin Road. In settling the civil suit, Mr. Winchell agreed that the strip club that operated at 755 Guin Road will not reopen.
“The hard work of the Christian County Sheriff’s deputies and detectives assigned to this investigation, with assistance from their law enforcement partners at MOCIC and Greene County Sheriff’s Office, eliminated a Christian County hot spot of criminal behavior. These deputies and detectives should be commended for their diligence and hard work” stated Christian County Prosecuting Attorney Amy Fite. “I am proud of my team of prosecutors and the entire staff at the Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office whose hard work alongside their counterparts at the Christian County Sheriff’s Office has made Christian County a safer place.”
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For Additional Information please contact Sheriff Brad Cole at 417-582-5330 or Christian County Prosecutor Amy Fite 417-581-7915