crime
Exeter man charged with attempted statutory sodomy
An Exeter man is facing two felony charges in Polk County after allegedly attempting to meet with a fictitious underage person to engage in sexual acts.
Assault charge added in car theft case
A Fulton man charged with allegedly stealing a vehicle in Barry County is now facing an additional charge relating to the incident. Richard Burwell, 31, of Fulton, was charged on Jan.
Second arrest made in sex crimes case
A second person has been arrested and charged following an alleged incident where a victim was restrained and sexually assaulted. Bailey Seely, 28, of Verona, is charged with second-degree sodomy.
Washburn man facing sex crime charges
A Washburn man is facing four felonies and a misdemeanor in a pair of criminal cases stemming from incidents in the 1980s and last year. Wesley Roller, age unknown, is charged in one case with sodomy (victim under 14 years old) and first-degree sexual abuse.
Purdy man charged with rape
A Purdy man is facing three felony charges after allegedly restraining and molesting a victim in Barry County. Jesi Owen, born 1989, of Purdy, is charged with first-degree kidnapping, first-degree rape and first-degree sodomy.
Man charged for car theft
A Fulton man has been arrested and charged with a felony after allegedly stealing a vehicle from a victim in Barry County, a crime for which he is on probation for a previous conviction. Richard Burwell, born 1993, of Fulton, is charged with first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle.
Man charged after chase into McDonald County
An Aurora man is facing a felony charge after allegedly fleeing authorities for nearly 30 minutes into McDonald County. Cody Lowe, born 1990, of Aurora, is charged with felony resisting arrest.
Man charged for stabbing at storage building
Victim stabbed 4 times, needed emergency surgery By Kyle Troutman ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com A Seligman man is charged with two felonies and a misdemeanor after allegedly stabbing a person while breaking into…
Murder charge filed
23-year-old allegedly admitted to killing Exeter woman
By Kyle Troutman
ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com
An Exeter man is charged with three felonies, including murder, for the death of a 24-year-old Exeter woman.
Aaron Malone, 23, of Exeter, is charged with second-degree murder, abandonment of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence.
Danny Boyd, Barry County sheriff, said on Monday, deputies were dispatched to a residence located in Exeter in reference to a possible abduction. Upon arrival, Deputies made contact with Malone, who reported Aspen Lewis, 24, was missing.
"Malone provided deputies with a verbal and written statement of Lewis being possibly abducted," Boyd said in a press release. "A criminal investigation began into the disappearance of Aspen Lewis. Inconsistencies were located in Aaron's statement."
According to a probable cause statement file by Det. Abby Parsons, physical evidence allegedly pointing to Malone included a blood stain on the roadway behind Malone's truck, blood stains on his truck and disturbed parts of the gravel driveway where jewelry pieces were located on the ground.
Surveillance video also allegedly showed Malone's truck arriving at the residence at 11:35 p.m. Sunday. Shortly after, Parsons' report said, screaming can be heard, and Malone left the residence at about 1:35 a.m. Monday, returning at about 4:10 a.m.
Malone made a 9-1-1 call before returning to the residence, Parsons reported.
On Tuesday, Boyd and Maj. Angela Cole met with Malone and advised him they wanted to locate the victim, Boyd's release said. Malone allegedly took authorities to where Lewis was located, deceased in a wooded area near Shell Knob, covered with leaves and sticks.
Parsons' report said Lewis had suffered extensive head trauma, and the remains of a burnt pink wool article of clothing, appearing to be a shirt, was also located in the roadway.
"Malone admitted to an altercation taking place and disposing of the body," Boyd said.
In Parsons' report, the box where the officer would indicate if a person exhibited signs of being under the influence remained unchecked. Missouri State Highway Patrol is assisting the Barry County Sheriff’s Office with the investigation.
Woman charged for drugs allegedly steals firearms
Cassville resident held on $35K in bonds after incidents 11 days apart BY KYLE TROUTMAN ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com A Cassville woman charged with possession of methamphetamine on Nov. 7 was arrested 11 days later for an alleged burglary in the city.