law enforcement

Kyle Troutman: Jail time
Last Wednesday, I spent some unexpected time in jail. Following a ribbon cutting to officially celebrate the newly constructed Barry County Sheriff’s Office and jail on Old Exeter Road, attendees were invited to tour the facility.
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.
Man charged in copper theft
A Cassville man is facing two felony charges for allegedly stealing thousands of feet of copper wire. Justin Youngblood, born in 1989, of Cassville, is charged with felony stealing of $25,000 or more and second-degree burglary.
Motion to dismiss ‘taken under advisement’ in murder case
Polk County Associate Judge Jill Porter has “taken under advisement” a motion to dismiss charges against Richard Randolph, accused of stabbing Andey Hunter to death in June 2023. Eight days prior to a scheduled case review, Randolph’s attorney, Brian Smith, submitted the motion to dismiss the case with prejudice, claiming violation’s to Randolph’s right to due process.
Man charged in alleged assault
An Arkansas man is facing two charges after allegedly assaulting a person on his property on Oct. 29.
Cassville man injured, arrested after crash
A Cassville man was injured and subsequently arrested following a wreck at 3:46 p.m. on Friday on Highway 76, four miles northeast of Shell Knob.

Seligman man charged with construction site theft
A Seligman man is facing multiple municipal charges for allegedly stealing items from a construction site on Highway 37. Jason Hern, 40, of Seligman, is charged with misdemeanor stealing, first-degree trespassing (second offense), loitering, possession of stolen property and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
2 charged in Purdy burglary
Two men were arrested and charged with felonies on Oct. 2 after allegedly attempting to steal from an outbuilding at a Purdy property.