On June 8, 2019, Senior Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Shana Mora participated in the “Over the Edge” fundraiser for the Child Advocacy Center after raising $1100 for the organization.

Over the Edge is a unique fundraising program that tasks participants with raising a minimum of $1,000 dollars for the Child Advocacy Center. Participants meeting this criterion have the option of rappelling down the 11 story Sky Eleven (formerly Woodruff) Building in downtown Springfield, Missouri.

The Child Advocacy Center is an invaluable partner in both our community and the work we do at the Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Formed in 1995, the CAC serves 16 counties throughout southwest and south central Missouri and has offices in Springfield and West Plains.

The CAC works with Children’s Division and other law enforcement agencies to ensure a “child-first” approach to handling cases of suspected child abuse. This ensures that investigations put the needs of child victims and witnesses first, and reduces the risk of further trauma during the investigation process.

To learn more about the CAC, its practices or how to donate yourself, please follow this link to their website.

More information about Over the Edge can be found at this link.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                                                                                                                                     Contact: Amy Fite, Prosecuting Attorney                                                               (417) 581-7915                                                                                                   DATE: June 8, 2018

RE: CHRISTIAN COUNTY JURY FINDS DOYLE HITCHCOCK GUILTY OF FIVE COUNTS OF FORCIBLE SODOMY, TWO COUNTS OF FORCIBLE RAPE AND SIX COUNTS OF ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A CHILD

OZARK, MO – The Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announced that DOYLE  E HITCHCOCK DOB: 06/28/1963 formerly of Ozark, Missouri was found guilty on June 7, 2018 by a Christian County jury of five counts of forcible sodomy, two counts of forcible rape and five counts of endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree.  A jury trial was commenced before the Honorable Judge Jennifer Growcock on June 4, 2018 and concluded on June 7, 2018.

The jury deliberated for approximately three hours before finding the defendant guilty.  Formal sentencing will be scheduled before the Honorable Judge Jennifer Growcock.

The range of punishment forcible sodomy and forcible rape is a term not less than five years in the Missouri Department of Corrections or a life sentence.  The range of punishment for the endangering the welfare of a child is a term of incarceration up to seven years in the Missouri Department of Corrections and/or a fine up to $5,000.

The investigation of this case was handled by Christian County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Kristen Tuohy.

A copy of this press release may be found Here.

John Peacock was sworn in as Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Christian County on February 20, 2018 by the Honorable Judge Doug Bacon.

Peacock, a native of Kansas City, Missouri received his Juris Doctorate from the Louisiana State University (2017). He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California, Riverside (2007).

OZARK, MO – The Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announces that Adrian Shaw, age 56, of St. Louis, Missouri, was found guilty of statutory sodomy first degree.  A jury trial commenced on Monday, August 14, 2017 in the City of St. Louis with the Honorable Judge Jimmie Edwards presiding.  The jury rendered its guilty verdict on Thursday, August 17, 2017, finding the defendant guilty of statutory sodomy in the first degree of a child less than 12.  The facts presented included that on or between June 2 and June 3, 2015, the defendant had deviate sexual intercourse with a three-year-old little girl.  The defendant was the boyfriend of the child’s grandmother.  The court prior to commencement of the jury trial found the defendant to be a prior and persistent felony offender.  The Honorable Jimmie Edwards will sentence Shaw on October 6, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. in Division 19 of the Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis.

The case was prosecuted by Prosecuting Attorney Amy Fite and First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Kristen M. Tuohy serving as special prosecutors.  The Christian County Prosecuting Attorney was appointed January 31, 2017 by the Honorable Michael Stelzer of the 22^nd Judicial Circuit to serve as a special prosecutor for this matter.  The City of St. Louis Police Department’s Child Abuse Unit Detective Julie Johnson was the primary investigator of this crime.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PRESS RELEASE

OZARK, MO – The Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announces that Nathan Calistro Falig Jr. was found guilty of rape in the first degree, two counts of sodomy in the first degree, sexual abuse in the first degree, kidnapping, and two counts of tampering with physical evidence. Falig was found not guilty of armed criminal action. The Honorable Judge Jennifer Growcock reached her verdict after hearing evidence about the September 2015 offenses over the course of a two-day bench trial held on July 25-26, 2017. The verdict was announced in open court on August 3, 2017.  Falig is set for sentencing before the Honorable Jennifer Growcock on October 3, 2017, at 10:00 AM.

The case was prosecuted by First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Kristen M. Tuohy.  The Ozark Police Department investigated the crime.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PRESS RELEASE