October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which first began in 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence as a Day of Unity. Domestic violence affects millions, both women and men, of every race, religion, culture and status.
New APA Jill Patterson Sworn In
On September 23, 2021 Judge Bacon swore in Jill Patterson as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney. Prior to receiving her badge of office she was administered the Prosecutor Code of Ethics by Prosecuting Attorney Amy Fite.
Jill received her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Washington University in St. Louis, in 1990 and her law degree from the University of Missouri in 1993.
BRADLEY J. BLEVINS FOUND GUILTY OF STATUTORY SODOMY IN THE FIRST DEGREE, ENTICEMENT OF A CHILD, ATTEMPTED ENTICEMENT OF A CHILD, AND SEXUAL MISCONDUCT INVOLVING A CHILD
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: PROSECUTING ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
Kristen Tuohy
Shana Mora
417-581-7915
DATE: August 26, 2021
RE: BRADLEY J. BLEVINS FOUND GUILTY OF STATUTORY SODOMY IN THE FIRST DEGREE, ENTICEMENT OF A CHILD, ATTEMPTED ENTICEMENT OF A CHILD, AND SEXUAL MISCONDUCT INVOLVING A CHILD.
OZARK, MO – The Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announces on August 25, 2021, Bradley J. Blevins, was found guilty of two counts of statutory sodomy in the first degree of a child less than twelve-years-old, one count of enticement of a child, one count of attempted enticement of a child, and two counts of sexual misconduct involving a child following a bench trial that began on June 8, 2021. The Honorable Judge Jennifer Growcock presided over the trial. The defendant is scheduled for a sentencing hearing on October 28, 2021, at 2:30 P.M.
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 1-800-392-3728.
The case was prosecuted by Christian County First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Kristen M. Tuohy and Senior Prosecuting Attorney Shana Mora, Shannon Stephens served as Victim Advocate. The Christian County Sheriff’s Office investigated the crime.
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JAMES NORMAN HARPER FOUND GUILTY OF CHILD MOLESTATION SECOND DEGREE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: PROSECUTING ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
Kristen Tuohy, 1st APA
Shana Mora. Sr. APA
417-581-7915
DATE: August 13, 2021
RE: JAMES NORMAN HARPER FOUND GUILTY OF CHILD MOLESTATION SECOND DEGREE
OZARK, MO – Christian County Prosecuting Attorney Amy Fite announces that on August 11, 2021, James Norman Harper (40), was found guilty of child molestation in the second degree by a Christian County jury. The jury deliberated a little over an hour before returning its verdict finding Harper guilty of child molestation in the second degree.
The evidence presented at trial included that a neighbor of the defendant was babysitting the defendant’s five-year-old stepson. The neighbor observed the child sexually acting out and the child disclosed to the neighbor “Daddy does this to me” and “I don’t like it.” The neighbor later made a hotline call. In response to that hotline call the Division of Children’s Services and the Christian County Sheriff’s Office responded to investigate. The following day the child was forensically interviewed at the Child Advocacy Center in Springfield, Missouri.
To identify and successfully prosecute when children have been the victims of sexual offenses and/or physical abuse requires citizens to report suspected sexual or physical abuse of a child. Suspected child abuse or neglect can be reported by calling the Missouri Child Abuse & Neglect Hotline at 1-800-392-3738.
The Honorable Laura Johnson presided over the jury trial that began on August 9, 2021. The defendant having been found to be a predatory sexual offender is subject to a life sentence in the Missouri Department of Corrections. The Honorable Laura Johnson set this matter for a sentencing hearing on October 12, 2021 at 3:00 p.m.
The case is being prosecuted by Christian County Senior Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Shana Mora who was assisted by First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Kristen Tuohy. The rest of the team assigned to this case included Cathryn Ables, Victim Advocate and Suzanne Frakes, Legal Assistant. The Christian County Sheriff’s Office investigated the crime. Sarah Spurlock was the lead investigator assigned to the case.
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CARL C. FERGUSON SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR STATUTORY RAPE IN THE FIRST DEGREE OF A CHILD LESS THAN TWELVE YEARS OF AGE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: PROSECUTING ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
Kristen Tuohy
Shana Mora
417-581-7915
DATE: April 9, 2021
RE: CARL C. FERGUSON SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR STATUTORY RAPE IN THE FIRST DEGREE OF A CHILD LESS THAN TWELVE YEARS OF AGE
OZARK, MO – The Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announces that on April 2, 2021, Carl C. Ferguson, 41, of Ozark, Missouri was sentenced to life imprisonment in the Missouri Department of Corrections for the offense of statutory rape in the first degree of a child less than twelve-years-old following a jury trial that occurred November 16, 2020 through November 20, 2020. The rape occurred between July 1, 2015 and August 11, 2016. The Honorable Judge Jennifer Growcock presided over the trial and sentencing.
The authorized term of imprisonment for statutory rape in the first degree of a child less than twelve years of age is life imprisonment or a term of years not less than ten years.
The case was prosecuted by Christian County Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys Kristen M. Tuohy and Shana Mora. Shannon Stephens served as Victim Advocate. The Ozark Police Department investigated the crime.