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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.
MICHAEL BASHAM PLEADS GUILTY AND RECEIVES 10 YEARS FOR CHARGES ARISING OUT OF A BURGLARY AND ENSUING POLICE PURSUIT IN NOVEMBER, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
Sue Boresi, Senior Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
417-582-5198
DATE: MARCH 15, 2021
RE: MICHAEL BASHAM pleads guilty and receives 10 years for charges arising out of A BURGLARY AND ENSUING police pursuit in NOVEMBER, 2019
OZARK, MO – The Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announces that Michael Basham dob: 04-03-1079, pleaded guilty to four counts in front of the Honorable Judge Jennifer Growcock on March 10, 2021. Michael Basham pleaded guilty as a prior and persistent felony offender to Robbery first degree, a class A felony; Burglary second degree, a class D felony; Possession of a Controlled Substance, a class D felony and Resisting Arrest, a class E felony.
The range of punishment for a class A felony is a term of imprisonment in the Missouri Department of Corrections for a term of not less than 10 years and not to exceed thirty years, or life imprisonment. Robbery in the first degree is classified as a dangerous felony. Basham will be required to serve eighty-five percent of the sentence before he can be considered for parole or other early discharge. The range of punishment for a class D felony is imprisonment for a term not to exceed seven years imprisonment, or by a fine not to exceed $10,000, or by both imprisonment and a fine. The range of punishment for a class E felony is imprisonment for a term of years not to exceed 4 years, or by a fine not to exceed $10,000, or by both imprisonment and a fine. Because the Defendant pleaded guilty as a prior and persistent felony offender, he faced an extended term of imprisonment for the next higher class of felony punishment.
Per the terms of the plea agreement, Basham received a total of 10 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. Basham received 10 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections on the charges of Robbery first degree and Burglary second degree, 4 years imprisonment on the charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance, and 5 years imprisonment on the charge of Resisting Arrest. All counts are to be served concurrent with each other.
At the time of the plea the State alleged the following facts could be proved beyond a reasonable doubt at trial:
On November 26, 2019, at
2:00 pm, a woman was arriving at her home at the 1900 block of W. Syler Rd in
Nixa, Missouri. She saw the door to her garage, which is attached to the
residence, was open. The door to the garage was closed and locked when she left
the residence earlier in the day. An unfamiliar red pickup truck was parked in
her driveway at the garage. She saw Basham, who was unknown to her, get into
the driver’s side of the pickup.
The woman tried to block the truck in her driveway, but the truck drove around her. She began following the pickup driven by Basham, while calling 911. About two miles from her residence, Basham stopped the pickup, walked to the woman’s window and pointed what appeared to be a firearm at her. Basham told her he would shoot her if she did not stop following him.
Christian County Sheriff Brad Cole located the red pickup described by the woman. Sheriff Cole activated lights and sirens on his vehicle in an attempt to stop Basham. Basham failed to stop. Sheriff Cole initiated a pursuit of the vehicle that was joined by other officers, and continued into Springfield. Basham fled at excessive speeds while weaving in and out of traffic. Basham stopped only after the use of a pursuit intervention tactic. Basham was then taken into custody.
Several items in the open truck bed were identified by the woman and her husband as having been taken from their home. On the front seat of the truck driven by Basham, law enforcement officers seized a black CO2 pistol that resembled a Glock firearm. Basham admitted to threatening the woman with the gun because she was preventing him from leaving.
At the Christian County jail, a baggie of methamphetamine was found inside Basham’s wallet. Subsequent testing by the Missouri State Highway Patrol crime lab confirmed that the substance was .798 grams of methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the Christian County Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution was handled by Senior Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Sue Boresi.
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CARL C. FERGUSON FOUND GUILTY OF STATUTORY RAPE IN THE FIRST DEGREE OF A CHILD LESS THAN TWELVE-YEARS-OLD
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: PROSECUTING ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
Kristen Tuohy, 1st APA
Shana Mora. Sr. APA
417-581-7915
DATE: November 23, 2020
RE: CARL C. FERGUSON FOUND GUILTY OF STATUTORY RAPE IN THE FIRST DEGREE OF A CHILD LESS THAN TWELVE-YEARS-OLD.
OZARK, MO – The Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announces that on November 20, 2020, Carl C. Ferguson, was found guilty of statutory rape in the first degree of a child less than twelve-years-old by a Christian County jury. The Honorable Judge Jennifer Growcock presided over the trial that began on November 16th, 2020. The defendant is scheduled for a sentencing hearing on February 3, 2021 at 1:30 P.M.
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.
GARY WYATT HICKS SENTENCED TO 330 YEARS MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOR CHILD MOLESTATION IN THE FIRST DEGREE AND SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF A MINOR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: PROSECUTING ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
Kristen Tuohy
417-581-7915
DATE: November 6, 2020
RE: GARY WYATT HICKS SENTENCED TO 330 YEARS MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOR CHILD MOLESTATION IN THE FIRST DEGREE AND SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF A MINOR.
OZARK, MO – The Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announces that on November 6, 2020, Gary Wyatt Hicks, was sentenced to 330 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections on three counts of child molestation in the first degree and eight counts of sexual exploitation of a minor for events occurring on or before December 1, 2018. The Honorable Judge Jennifer Growcock presided over the sentencing hearing. Defendant’s plea agreement called for a 30-year cap in the Missouri Department of Corrections on each count with the State seeking consecutive sentences on the three counts of child molestation in the first degree and the eight counts of sexual exploitation of a minor for total sentence of 330 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections.
The case was prosecuted by Christian County First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Kristen M. Tuohy, Shannon Stephens served as Victim Advocate. The Billings Police Department and Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force investigated the crime.
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