The Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has released its 2022 annual report. Click here to view report: https://prosecutorsmogov-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/adam_alb_prosecutors_mo_gov/ERKaftHUSH1Io8qvpICPjIQBoGTTL9q4N-EVQ8NKCeG4Sw?e=GfQSGx

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: PROSECUTING ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

                       Amy Fite: 417-581-7915

DATE: November 10, 2022

OZARK, MO – The Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announces that Jenson Wayne Faught (W/M), age 34, previously of Berryville, Arkansas, Missouri, on November 9, 2022, in front of the Honorable Jessica Kruse pled guilty to all twelve counts charged, including four counts of the class A felony of Assault in the First Degree – special victim, four counts of the unclassified felony of Armed Criminal Action, one count of the class B felony of Burglary in the First Degree, one count of the class E felony of Unlawful Use of a Weapon, one count of the class E felony of Resisting Arrest, and one count of the class E felony of Property Damage in the First Degree.

The facts supporting the plea included that members of the Christian County Sheriff’s Office responded to check a person with a weapon call.  The Defendant, Jenson Faught, had unlawfully entered a shop building on a residence. The Defendant, armed with a gun, told the homeowner to come inside the shop building with him. The homeowner said “No” and ran down the driveway and waved down detectives.  Over the next two hours, the Defendant refused law enforcement commands to come outside. The Defendant fired over 100 rounds at law enforcement officers, and one officer was struck and evacuated from the scene.  Various law enforcement agencies responded to assist.  The Defendant was taken into custody after a tactical team was able to approach the building in armored vehicles and deployed chemical munitions inside the shop building.

The plea was entered pursuant to a plea agreement and immediately proceeded to sentencing.  Pursuant to the terms of the plea agreement the Honorable Judge Jessica Kruse sentenced the Defendant as follows. As to:

Ct. I – Assault in the First Degree – special victim – LIFE sentence in the Missouri Department of Corrections.

Ct. II – Armed Criminal Action – FIVE (5) YEARS in the Missouri Department of Corrections

Ct. III – Assault in the First Degree – special victim – TWENTY-FIVE (25) YEARS in the Missouri Department of Corrections

 Ct. IV – Armed Criminal Action – FIVE (5) YEARS in the Missouri Department of Corrections

Ct. V – Assault in the First Degree – special victim – TWENTY-FIVE (25) YEARS in the Missouri Department of Corrections

Ct. VI – Armed Criminal Action – FIVE (5) YEARS in the Missouri Department of Corrections

Ct. VII – Assault in the First Degree – special victim – TWENTY-FIVE (25) YEARS in the Missouri Department of Corrections

Ct. VIII – Armed Criminal Action – FIVE (5) YEARS in the Missouri Department of Corrections

Ct. IX – Burglary in the First Degree – FIFTEEN (15) YEARS in the Missouri Department of Corrections

Ct. X – Unlawful Use of a Weapon – FOUR (4) YEARS in the Missouri Department of Corrections

Ct. XI – Resisting Arrest – FOUR (4) YEARS in the Missouri Department of Corrections

Ct. XII – Property Damage in the First Degree – FOUR (4) YEARS in the Missouri Department of Corrections

The sentences are structured so some run concurrently and some run consecutively.  The total sentence the defendant received was a LIFE sentence plus FIVE (5) years in the Missouri Department of Corrections.  By statute, the defendant must serve 85% of each of the sentences before becoming eligible for parole.

The class A felonies carry a range of punishment of 10 years to 30 years or life in the Missouri Department of Corrections.  A defendant must serve 85% of any sentence imposed before becoming eligible for parole.

The unclassified felonies as charged carry a minimum term of three (3) years to a maximum term of fifteen (15) years in the Missouri Department of Corrections.  The defendant must serve 85% of any sentence imposed before becoming eligible for parole.

The class B felony carries a range of punishment of five (5) to fifteen (15) years in the Missouri Department of Corrections.

The class E felony carries a range of punishment of incarceration up to one (1) year in the County Jail or up to four (4) years in the Missouri Department of Corrections and/or a fine up to $10,000.

This case was investigated by the Christian County Sheriff’s Office.  Multiple agencies responded to assist during the incident. These agencies included:  The Greene County Sheriff’s Office, the Missouri Highway Patrol, the Webster County Sheriff’s Office, the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, ATF, Springfield Police Department, and the Ozark Fire Department.  The plea and sentencing was handled by Prosecuting Attorney Amy Fite.

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Please congratulate Dale Tavares on being recognized as employee of the quarter.  Presiding Commissioner Phillips, who presented Dale with the award, highlighted that Dale serves as a mentor to all the new employees coming into our office. That she has a great attitude.  That you will hear her name often as part of the fabric that makes our office run.

CONGRATULATIONS TO DALE! 

On September 15th, 2022 Judge Bacon administered the Oath of Admission as a new attorney with Tarek Masri, as he had previously been a Rule 13 intern with our office. Judge Bacon then confirmed him 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.

Tarek joined the Christian County Prosecutor’s Office in June of 2014. He was born and raised in Southwest Missouri and received a B.A. in Politics from the University of Dallas, Irving TX, in 2019. He received his Juris Doctorate from Saint Louis University School of Law in 2022. And he has previous experience as a Rule 13 intern at St. Charles County Prosecutor’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Missouri.

On September 15th, 2022 Judge Bacon administered the Oath of Admission as a new attorney with Chris Aiken, as he had previously been a Rule 13 intern with our office. Judge Bacon then confirmed him 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.

Chris joined the Christian County Prosecutor’s Office in June of 2022. He received his bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from Emory University in 2014, and his law degree from University of Alabama School of Law in 2022. Chris interned for the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office in 2021, and before entering the legal field he worked as a teacher, coach, and news reporter.