Press Releases/News

Mexico, MO. July 24, 2002:   On May 7, 2000, Brian A. Hill, of Mexico, came upon a truck owned by Jay Bell, who was doing some contracting work at a Mexico home. The truck contain numerous powers tools (worth more than $750). Hill stole the tools.

On May 10, 2000, Keith Kirchner of Mexico reported that someone had got into his Ford Aerostar van. A $1000 French horn and an assortment of tools were missing. The French horn (apparently unplayed) and the tools turned up in a backyard at 401 E. Monroe in Mexico one week later.

Public Safety Officer Jeff Wolverton’s investigation of both crimes led to the questioning of Hill. Hill confessed, saying that he had been canvassing area vehicles to see what he could steal. He pleaded guilty. In view of his youth (aged 18) and his clean record, the court placed him on probation.

On July 24, 2002, his probation was revoked for marijuana use, failing to get drug treatment and failing to report to his probation officer. Hill was sentenced and ordered to serve three years in the Department of Corrections

Thieving drug dealer gets five years in the pen

Mexico, MO. July 1, 2002:   Three times last year, Genese Owens met with a an undercover Missouri state trooper to sell him crack cocaine. Twice, she sold him real cocaine, but the third time she charged him $200 for what turned out to be phony drugs. She pleaded guilty to two felony drug sale charges and one count of sale of an imitation controlled substance. The court sentenced her to 5 years in prison.

Ms. Owens was also charged with felony (third offense) stealing after she went to Wal-Mart in Mexico to steal some children’s clothing that she had been told she could exchange for crack cocaine. Meanwhile, someone tipped off Wal-Mart that Owens was on her way to steal some clothes. With the aid of the anynomous call, Wal-Mart management was able to witness her stealing boys’ & girls’ shirts & shorts. She had those same items with her when she was confronted after leaving the store without paying. She admitted the thefts and pled guilty and received 5 years in prison.

Mexico crack cocaine dealer "Little G" goes to prison until 2010

Mexico, MO. June, 2002:   On Friday, August 17, 2001, Garrett S. Reynolds, known on the street as "Little G,"  met with an undercover Missouri state trooper after arranging with a confidential informant to buy crack cocaine from Reynolds. They met and Reynolds handed two pieces of crack cocaine to the informant who handed it to the trooper. The trooper paid the Reynolds $180 for .59 grams of cocaine. Six days later they met again. After unsuccessfully trying to sell the trooper some fake cocaine, the prisoner then sold him .66 grams of real crack cocaine for $100.

Finally, on August 27, 2001, a Mexico woman (since convicted of cocaine sales) was helping the undercover trooper buy cocaine, when Reynolds happened by on a bicycle. She hailed Reynolds, who then stopped and sold them another .51 grams of crack cocaine for $60. As Ass’t Prosecutor, Randy England prepared to try Reynolds before an Audrain County jury, Reynolds changed his mind and his "not guilty" plea and pled guilty to all three counts of Sale of a Controlled Substance. Sentenced to ten years in the Department of Correction as a persistent drug offender, he will not be eligible for release until 2010.

Another crack merchant pleads guilty

Mexico, MO. June, 2002:  It was August of 2001 when Jamikia Hill met with with an undercover Missouri state trooper at her home after arranging to sell him crack cocaine. She sold him 1.09 grams for $250. Five days later, he returned and bought a little less than a gram and paid her $200. On May 16, 2002, she pleaded guilty to two counts of Sale of a Controlled Substance and was sentenced to five years in the pen. The court has the option of releasing her from prison after 120 days and then placing her on five years’ probation.

Phony bomber gets three years in the pen

Mexico, MO. May 6, 2002:   Joseph W. Lebrun had been using cocaine in sufficient amounts on March 8, 2000, that calling in a bomb threat to Bunge Foods of Mexico (his former employer) seemed like a good idea. He went to a pay phone in Mexico and called the plant saying, “You have a bomb in the building and it’s going to go off in 15 minutes.” Then—drawn to the scene of his crime—he drove by the Bunge plant where he was recognized by witnesses.

After pleading guilty, he was placed on probation and ordered to pay over $5000 for losses caused by the brief plant shutdown. On May 6, 2002, Lebrun admitted violating his probation by committing more crimes, by failing to report to his probation officer, and by failing to pay his restitution. The court sentenced him to three years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. He is now serving that sentence.

Mexico Woman sentenced to two years for Stealing Aldi’s Deposit

Mexico, MO. May 6, 2002: Sharon Elizabeth "Betsy" Murray," was the manager for the Aldi’s grocery store in Mexico. On February 8, 2001, she made up a large night deposit, but a later audit showed that Murray never deposited the $8000 in the bank. She pled not guilty to a charge of felony stealing. Audrain County Assistant Prosecutor Randy England tried the case to a jury.

The evidence at trial showed Murray had been having financial difficulties at the time of the offense. Cpl. Penny Smith of Mexico Public Safety testified that Murray also took an Aldi’s surveillance video, which would have shown events on the night of the theft.

Murray then took the witness stand in her own defense and admitted she had prepared the cash deposit to take to the Martinsburg Bank night deposit box, but she couldn’t recall what she had done with the money. The jury deliberated for just over an hour and found Murray guilty as charged. The jury recommended she be sentenced to two years in the Missouri Department of Corrections and Circuit Judge Keith Sutherland agreed.

Anhydrous ammonia thief, Sonny Schuler goes to the pen for  methamphetamine possession after robbing senior citizen.

Mexico, MO. March 20, 2002: On the night of December 1, 1997, law enforcement officers staked-out the anhydrous ammonia storage tanks at Laddonia, MO. The tanks are a frequent target for methamphetamine cookers. Sonny J. Schuler, of Winfield, Mo and another man were spotted stealing anhydrous ammonia from the Schlemmer Farm Service tanks. Audrain County Sheriff’s Deputy Wes Ancell captured Schuler and found 1½ gallons of anhydrous ammonia in Schuler’s car.

Ancell then found a used syringe containing liquid methamphetamine in Schuler’s pocket. Schuler admitted he used methamphetamine and said he preferred smoking, snorting and shooting it. Pleading guilty to both possession of methamphetamine and stealing anhydrous ammonia, he was sentenced to three years in the Dept. of Corrections. He served 60 days in the Audrain County jail and was placed on probation. His probation was revoked after he was convicted of felony stealing in Lincoln County (for snatching the purse of a 67-year-old Troy, Mo woman).

Former fugitive Fuget gets five for drunk driving, child endangerment

Mexico, MO. March 4, 2002: Last August, Laddonia resident, Lucky D. Fuget was driving on Business 54 in Mexico when he was stopped by Audrain County Deputy Patrick Sublette for weaving and driving on the wrong side of the road. Reeking of alcohol, Fuget staggered as he walked and had to lean on his car as he admitted drinking: “probably a 12 pack.” He refused to take a breath test to measure his blood alcohol level. With multiple prior convictions for DWI and Driving while revoked, he pled guilty to felony DWI and Driving while Revoked. The court sentenced him to serve five years in the Department of Corrections. He was also sentenced to five years for felony Failure to Appear after he failed to come to court on the DWI charge in September 2001. Fuget was also ordered to serve a five year sentence on a previous conviction for child endangerment.

Locker room thief gets five years in the pen.

Mexico, MO, February 18, 2002: It was a football Friday night –last fall–and the Mexico High School Bulldogs battled on the gridiron. As the fans cheered, Jeremy R. Blacketer managed to find a way into the varsity locker room (normally kept locked and inaccessible to the public). Once inside, Blacketer stole a billfold, a ring and cash from several football players. He pled guilty to Burglary 2d degree and stealing and was sentenced as a persistent felony offender (Burglary, Forgery) to five years in the Department of Corrections.

Keith "Kiki" Johnson smacks around ex-girlfriend, then knifes her new boyfriend.
Gets prison for Assault 2nd Degree & Domestic Assault 2nd Degree

Mexico, MO, January 16, 2002: Johnson got into an argument with his ex-girlfriend and assaulted her by hitting her in the face with his fists and also striking the infant she was holding. Her injuries were minor. Later that morning Johnson went to the home of the new boyfriend, where he started another argument, which progressed into a physical struggle. In the fight, Johnson stabbed the new boyfriend in the abdomen. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to serve 3 years in the Department of Corrections on each count.

Prosecutors as Partners

"Thomas Osborne, Prosecuting Attorney in Audrain County for 30 years, was the first prosecutor in Missouri to file second-degree murder charges for a drunk driving death. Since that time, the Missouri appellate courts have upheld numerous second-degree convictions. For almost a decade, Osborne has partnered with Randy England, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, to amass a 96.8% conviction rate in Audrain County for DWI prosecution, leading all other counties in the state during that 10-year period. Even in a small community like Audrain County, DWIs can be very complex and hard fought; England admits, much more so than what the public generally considers "more serious" felonies. MADD, Missouri recognized Tom Osborne as Missouri Prosecutor of the year in 1997."

— From the MADDVOCATE, A magazine for victims and their advocates, Summer 2001 (national magazine of Mothers Against Drunk Driving)

Regarding criminal charges filed against a defendant, Supreme Court Rule 3.6(b)(6) requires the following disclaimer:  

"A charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty."