OZARK, MO – The Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announces that on April 29, 2025, after a three-day trial, a Christian County jury found Tonia L. Barnes guilty of Resisting Detention Creating a Substantial Risk of Death or Serious Physical Injury.  The jury also sentenced the defendant to two years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for the crime.    

On October 5, 2022, an officer with the Nixa Police Department pulled the defendant’s vehicle for failing to maintain lane.  During the investigation officers feared that the defendant may be intoxicated so they asked the defendant to exit the vehicle.  The defendant refused to get out of the vehicle and instead led officers on a high-speed pursuit.  During the pursuit the defendant drove down the middle of the road, was continuously swerving and passing vehicles, and drove at high rates of speed.  The defendant continuously drove over 100 MPH on Highway 160 running multiple red lights and was clearly putting other motorists at risk.  Multiple Nixa officers assisted with the pursuit and the Nixa Police Department ultimately decided to terminate the pursuit, as the defendant entered Springfield, based upon the shear danger posed by the defendant’s reckless driving and the Nixa Police Department’s policies regarding high-speed pursuits.  

The jury deliberated for approximately three and a half hours before arriving at its guilty verdict.  The Jury also heard evidence regarding sentencing and deliberated for two hours before sentencing the defendant to two years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for the crime.   

 The case was prosecuted by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jacob Benton Cantwell and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Tarek Masri.  Julie Harlan served as the Victim Advocate and Brijana Sullivan served as Legal Assistant.

Please congratulate Tarek Masri for being recognized as employee of the year for 2024! Tarek is recognized by his peers as somebody who is willing to help everybody, whether legal assistants, victim advocates, or assistant prosecutors. He is dependable, very prepared with his case load, consistently tries to do his best and become informed, interacts well with victims, has a good talking presence in court, and doesn’t ever say anything bad about anybody. APAs and defense attorneys both respect him, especially for being a newer APA. Great job & congrats Tarek!

Please congratulate Michael Younker for being recognized as employee of the month of March! Michael is recognized by his peers as somebody who is a rockstar for taking on new cases, does everything to make sure hearings happen, puts victims first, and did a great job winning his recent jury trial, bringing justice for the victim. Congrats Michael!

Please congratulate Kara Wacker for being recognized as employee of the month of February! Kara is recognized by her peers as somebody who jumped right into the mix and hasn’t missed beat since joining the office, is generous with her time, great with cases, and a great supervisor. Congrats Kara!

Please congratulate Adam Alb for being recognized as employee of the month of January! Adam is recognized by his peers as somebody who is very consistent with getting his case load filed, keeps reminders caught up, makes offers on cases, is kind to everyone, a good note taker, and willing to be helpful. Congrats Adam!