ST CLAIR COUNTY SHERIFF

June 30, Kevin Pippenger, 59, Appleton City, was arrested on a St. Clair County warrant charging him with class D felony possession of a controlled substance, class B misdemeanor failure to register vehicle, and class C misdemeanor fail to signal. Bond is set at $3,500 cash or surety. 

The charges stem from an investigation the previous day when two deputies were patrolling Appleton City when a motorcycle traveling east on Fourth Street with an inoperable taillight was noticed. The motorcycle turned into the MFA gas pumps without signaling on Fourth Street. A traffic stop was conducted and the motorcycle continued to travel into the grass north of the MFA parking lot. Contact was made with the driver, Pippenger, who stated he did not have the motorcycle licensed or insured. Further investigation revealed he was in possession of a clear plastic bag with a crystal substance inside that field tested positive for methamphetamine. 

July 1 – St. Clair County deputy took a burglary report on SW 1201 Rd, Schell City. Kevin Fast reported sheds and a residence on the property were broken into. A 24 pack of Michelob Ultra cans and approximately six cans of Miller Lite beer were missing from the residence. The total value of the missing items and the damage was estimated at $210

These cases are currently under investigation. Sheriff Keeler urges those with any related information to contact the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line, 417-646-5832, or email to tips@scsomo.org.

July 2 – St. Clair County deputy took a burglary report on NE 656 Private Rd, near Iconium. William Martin reported his father, Gary Martin, is in the process of remodeling a house and showed up at the property and discovered the residence was broken into and several items missing. Gary Martin met the deputy and showed where damage to the residence was made when it was entered. He noted missing items included a large box containing reloading supplies, miscellaneous food, 11 Drill Master 4 1/2” hand grinders, five fishing poles and a Kobalt socket set. The total estimated value of the items is $3,261. Multiple suspects have been identified and the investigation is ongoing.

Sheriff Scott Keeler recently received information concerning Jerry Eaton, 45, Osceola, a person of interest in multiple burglaries, auto thefts and fleeing law enforcement in St. Clair County as well as other jurisdictions.

July 2 – Wichita County Sheriff Randy Keeton from Leoti, KS, reported his office located a vehicle that was reported stolen from Henry County. An attempt to make contact with the individuals ended with Eaton and Shanna Case, 44, from Collins, fleeing from the back windows of a residence. Case was apprehended and Eaton fled on foot from deputies. On July 3, a 1996 Ford F350 extended cab dually truck was reported stolen from the area.

July 6 – the Ford F350 was recovered in Gray County, KS, and a red 1984 GMC shortbed pickup truck was reported stolen from there.            

July 7 – the 1984 GMC shortbed pickup truck was recovered in Ford County, KS, and a white 1999 single cab Dodge with a black flatbed and a black tool box was reported stolen. The truck is described as having several chrome accessories, oversized tires and a Kansas license plate number 137DLH. The truck also had a firearm inside of it.

Sheriff Keeler stated Eaton is possibly travelling back to St. Clair County. He urges those with any related information to this case or the location of Eaton to contact the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line, 417-646-5832, or email to tips@scsomo.org.

July 4- Daylon Turner, 30, Appleton City, was arrested by the Appleton City Police Department on a St. Clair County warrant charging her with class A misdemeanor driving while intoxicated-prior offender, class D misdemeanor driving while revoked and class B misdemeanor failure to register a vehicle. Bond is set at $3,500 cash or surety.

The warrant was issued July 3 and stems from a St. Clair County Sheriff’s office investigation on April 12 when a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle at Third Street and Burdette Street, Appleton City,  for not displaying license plates. Contact was made with the driver, Turner, and a check of her driving status revealed it was revoked. During the investigation it was determined Turner was driving while intoxicated. She was taken into custody and later released pending the formal charges.

July 5 – Mary Scheer, 47, Appleton City, was arrested on a St. Clair County warrant charging her with class C felony possession of a controlled substance and a warrant for failing to appear in court on an original class E felony driving while revoked. Total bond is set at $22,500 cash only.   

The warrant on the drug charge was issued on June 28 and stems from a St. Clair County Sheriff’s office investigation on Nov. 9, 2016, when a deputy took a report of medications stolen from a residence on North Maple Street, Appleton City. During the investigation a straw that field tested positive for methamphetamine was located in her possession.

The warrant for failing to appear in court on an original class E felony charge of driving while revoked stems from a St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office investigation on Feb. 20 of this year. A traffic stop was initiated on a vehicle on North Maple Street, Appleton City. Scheer was identified as the driver. During the investigation it was determined Scheer’s driving privileges were revoked and there were previous convictions for driving while revoked. Scheer was taken into custody and transported to the St. Clair County Jail pending the formal charge.

Nathan Bone, 30, Glasgow, was arrested on a St. Clair County warrant for misdemeanor non support. Bond is set at $8,327.16 cash only.

July 6 – Gary McConnell, 72, Joplin, was arrested on a class D felony failing to register as a sex offender. The warrant was issued on April 24 and bond is set at $10,000 cash or surety.

The charge stems from a St. Clair County Sheriff’s office investigation on Dec. 13, 2016, when a deputy responded to South Tower Street, Lowry City, in reference to a noncompliant sex offender. McConnell was notified he needed to go the sheriff’s office and register as a sex offender. McConnell stated he does not have to register and will not go down to the sheriff’s office to do so. He was asked several times to go register and he continued to refuse.

During the investigation it was noted McConnell was convicted of class D felony sexual abuse in the first degree on Oct. 10, 1985 in Clay County. It was discovered McConnell has lived in St. Clair County for several years and did not register until his initial arrest on Dec. 13, 2016, for failing to register as a sex offender.

July 7 – St. Clair County deputy took a burglary report on NW 151 Rd, Lowry City. Jennifer Greenwell reported someone entered a barn without permission. Several items of evidence were left lying in the seat of a John Deere Gator. It appeared the suspects rummaged through a pickup truck that was located south of the barn. Greenwell stated she could not find anything missing. She noted the suspects opened the barn doors and let out three horses. One of the horses fell through the sub floor of an old house and was trapped in the basement.

This case is currently under investigation. Sheriff Keeler urges those with any related information to contact the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line, 417-646-5832, or email to tips@scsomo.org.

Disclaimer: Arrest records are public information. Any indication of an arrest does not mean the individual identified has been convicted of a crime. All persons arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Court Case Updates

Debbie Moran pleads guilty and is placed on probation

Michael Helm placed on probation

Andrew Smith pleads guilty. Sentencing set for Sept. 5, 2017

Kristy Lalonde placed on probation

George Richey placed on probation