Shannon Stephens
Administrative Victim Advocate
Shannon has been with the Christian County Prosecutor’s Office Since August 2014, first as a volunteer, and then became a full-time employee in January 2015. Shannon has served as both a Victim Advocate and as an Investigator with a caseload that includes homicides, sex crimes and crimes against children. Shannon assists victims by explaining the process of the criminal justice system, attending hearings and meetings with victims, sitting with minor victims and witnesses when they testify, referring victims to resources and explaining their rights to them, and providing emotional support. Shannon reviews cases in her caseload which are referred to our office for review, requests any necessary documents not included with the referral, conducts necessary further investigation work that would not otherwise completed, monitors all jail communications of defendants held in custody on charges of homicides, sex crimes and/or crimes against children, and other various duties, such being an active member of the Christian County Multidisciplinary Taskforce, and assisting with trial. Additionally, Shannon has taken on the administrative role of training the other advocates in the office, and filling in for the other advocates when needed and available. Shannon is assigned to the cases prosecuted by Elected Prosecutor Kristen Tuohy.
Shannon previously served as a board member of the Missouri Victim Assistance Network, aka MOVA, and currently serves on the Governor’s Taskforce on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children, was appointed as a stakeholder in the Supreme Court of Missouri’s Justice Reinvestment Initiative, is a member of the Zero Abuse Project’s Train the Trainer program, the Christian County Multidisciplinary Taskforce and the local Sexual Assault Response Team. Shannon is a graduate of Austin Peay State University in Tennessee, with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
Julie Harlan
Victim Advocate
Julie has been employed with the Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s office since August 2015. Prior to that, she worked for Citizens Against Domestic Violence in Camdenton. Julie received a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice in 2001 from Central Missouri State University. She has been a certified Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Victim Advocate since 2002.
Julie is the victim advocate for DWI, property crimes and traffic crimes. Julie assists and supports victims and witnesses through the criminal justice system, refers victims to local community resources and helps victims file for Crime Victim Compensation.
Cathryn Ables
Victim Advocate
Cathryn has been with the Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office since September 2020. Cathryn graduated from Missouri State University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She previously worked in special education with Springfield Public Schools, and as a Psychiatric Technician for Cox Health.
Cathryn is a victim advocate for sex crimes and crimes against children. She assists victims by explaining the process of the criminal justice system, referring victims to resources and explaining their rights to them. She assists with emotional support, attending hearings and meetings with victims, sitting with minor victims and witnesses when they testify.
Tara Stroman
Victim Advocate
Tara has been with the Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office since November 2022. Tara graduated from Missouri State University in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Psychology. Tara continued her education and graduated from Missouri State University with a Master of Criminology in December 2022. Her passion for education has fueled her to pursue a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice with an expected graduation date of February 2026. She previously worked as a Military Police Officer in the Army Veterans and continues service in the Army Reserve as a Human Resources Sergeant. Tara also has experience working with Veterans using education benefits to attend college.
Tara is a victim advocate for domestic violence crimes, mainly female victims, and animal abuse crimes. She assists victims by explaining the criminal justice system process, referring victims to resources, and explaining their rights to them. She helps with emotional support, attending hearings, following up with victims, and assisting with filling out forms required for resources.
Suzanne Frakes
Senior Legal Assistant
Suzanne has been with the Christian County Prosecuting Attorney‘s office since 2000. She has handled a variety of duties during this time. Suzanne’s responsibilities include inputting referral information, filing of criminal charges following attorney’s review. She assists her team attorneys with the management of Associate and Circuit Court. She helps prepare cases for prosecution and trial, and administrative support to the attorneys. Suzanne is also MULES certified through the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Dale Tavares
Legal Assistant Supervisor
Dale has been with Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s office since March 2016. Dale is the custodian of records for the prosecutor’s office. She handles all requisition requests and facilitates training of all new legal assistants and front desk associates. Dale is the supervisor of the Legal assistants in the office. Dale assists a few Prosecutors with homicide cases which includes inputting and organizing referrals from Christian County Law Enforcement Agencies, obtaining any necessary information for cases, and preparing discovery. Dale is also MULES certified.
Before joining Christian County, Dale spent many years working in customer service – most recently she spent nine years in retail ending as a store manager for Walmart.
Legal Assistant
Donna has been with the Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office since July 2019.
Her duties include inputting and organizing referrals from Christian County law enforcement, preparing discovery, drafting routine motions and pleadings, correspondence to defense counsel and other agencies, and obtaining additional information required for cases. She assists First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Anna Bunch with the domestic violence caseload. Donna is MULES certified through the Missouri Highway Patrol.
Before joining the Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Donna spent many years in higher education working in Public Relations at College of the Ozarks and as the executive assistant to the president at Drury University. Prior to her career in higher education, Donna was a top real estate producer in Oklahoma.
Legal Assistant
Alexis has been working for the Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office since June 2022. Alexis Graduated from Greenville University in 2019 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. Prior to working in this office Alexis worked as a nanny and a paraprofessional in the St Louis area.
Alexis is a legal assistant. Her duties include imputing referrals for the DWI and drug case loads. She assists the front office taking restitution payments and answering phones. Alexis is MULES certified from Missouri Highway Patrol.
Mia Long
Legal Assistant
Mia has been an employee of the Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s office since January of 2023. She graduated high school at 16 years old and so got in the work force maybe earlier than most. Before starting work with CCPA, she was a criminal data technician at Stone County Sheriff’s Office. She’s currently in school to get her Paralegal certificate and once she’s done with that she will be starting on her Private Investigator’s License. In her free time, she research’s missing persons and cold cases to hopefully bring resolution to victim’s families. She also takes her boxer to Starbucks to get a pup cup.
Brooke Miller
Legal Assistant
Brooke has been working for the Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office as a Legal Assistant since March 2024. Brooke is currently a student at Missouri State University studying Criminology and Criminal Justice. She will be graduating this December with her Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice. Prior to working in this office Brooke achieved her Eagle Scout rank just before her 18th birthday. In her free time, Brooke likes to go rock climbing, get coffee with friends, and volunteer at her church.
Adrienne Medvec
Legal Assistant
Adrienne has been working for the Christian County Prosecutor’s office since 2022, where she manages the drug caseload and handles restitution and tax processing. She is MULES certified through the Missouri Highway Patrol.
Before her current role, Adrienne worked as a Loan Secretary at a local bank and as a paraprofessional in special education. In her leisure time, she enjoys traveling and watching documentaries.
Greg Reed
Investigator
Greg has been employed with the Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s office since March 2022. Prior to that, he worked for CoxHealth Systems as their Community Hospital Group Environmental Safety and Emergency Management Officer. Greg received his Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice in 2005 from Missouri Southern State University with a minor in Crime Scene Investigation. Greg served with the U.S. Air Force and the Oklahoma Air National Guard retiring as a Master Sergeant. He has received specialized training in Forensic Pathology and Dental Identification from the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. Greg holds dual Law Enforcement certifications with MoPOST and OkCLEET.
Justin Wishin
Investigator
Justin has been employed with the Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s office since November 2023. Prior to that he was a Deputy with the Christian County Sheriff’s Office. Justin received his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration from the University of Phoenix in 2021. Justin Is an active-duty Veteran of the United States Air force serving as a member of the USAF Security Forces, the Air Force’s military police. Justin Has served in Montana, South Korea, New Mexico, and Iraq. During his military service Justin gained experience in nuclear security, asset protection, electronic security systems, and Law Enforcement. In all Justin has served in law enforcement for close to 13 years.