Tracking Local Crime and Court Cases
A Crime Page dedicated to keeping our community informed about court cases and legal matters occurring in Cedar County and the surrounding areas. As residents of rural America it is essential to stay aware of the issues affecting our neighborhoods. Knowledge fosters safety and community engagement.
Through this platform, we aim to illuminate local legal proceedings and empower our readers to stay informed. Please remember that all individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The El Dorado Springs Sun strives to present accurate information but cannot be held liable for any errors or omissions in our reporting.
Stay updated on local cases by subscribing to The El Dorado Springs Sun. Please send all corrections or typos to sunpub@centurylink.net, including the article information in the subject line.
A History of hearings: The legal journey of John J. Cox raises questions about justice system consistency
From the El Dorado Springs Newsroom
John J. Cox is scheduled to appear in Cedar County Circuit Court on April 7, 2025, for a probation violation hearing before Judge David R. Munton. The hearing is the latest chapter in a legal journey that spans nearly two decades, prompting public scrutiny over the effectiveness and consistency of probation enforcement and judicial accountability.
Cox, who originally entered an Alford plea to a charge of resisting arrest stemming from a 2019 incident with the El Dorado Springs Police Department, was sentenced in June 2021 to five years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. That sentence was suspended, and Cox was placed on five years of supervised probation per the recommendation of Cedar County Prosecuting Attorney Ty Gaither.
Since that sentencing, Cox’s case has repeatedly returned to the court due to a series of probation violations. Violations have included failure to report, residency issues, and other conditions imposed by the court. His probation has been revoked and reinstated multiple times, with periods of shock incarceration under Missouri statute §559.115—a provision allowing for a 120-day callback program designed to offer a rehabilitative alternative to complete imprisonment.
Cox’s current legal issues stem from continued probation violations throughout 2024, culminating in an order issued by Judge Munton on September 9 suspending Cox’s probation. A warrant was served by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office on March 31, 2025, in anticipation of Monday’s hearing.
The pattern is not new. Court records show that Cox’s legal history dates back to at least 2000 when he pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property in Cedar County. In 2008, he pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and was again given a suspended execution of sentence with probation. That probation, too, was later revoked. Over the years, Cox has been placed in various treatment programs, including Teen Challenge, and has received multiple opportunities through the court’s discretion to reform under supervision rather than serve full prison terms.
Despite the repeated legal consequences, Cox has found himself back in court more than a dozen times for probation-related matters—just in Cedar County alone. A review of the docket reveals a long-standing pattern of violations, warrants, and hearings spanning over two decades. It’s important to note that this report reflects only the proceedings in Cedar County. Additional records and cases may exist in surrounding jurisdictions, but they were not included in this review.
This recurring cycle raises broader questions for the Cedar County community: Is the probation system functioning as intended? Is justice being effectively served—not just for the defendant, but also for the public?
Cox’s April 7 hearing may once again determine whether he will return to probation, face incarceration, or continue under some alternative form of supervision. While at the time of press there was no update on Cox April 7 court date. Stay subscribed to the El Dorado Sun for further updates on this case.
Schieffer back in custody in Cedar County, bond hearing set for April 8
From the El Dorado Springs News
Colt Lee Schieffer is now being held in the Cedar County Jail following his transfer from the Bourbon County Jail in Fort Scott, Kansas, where he was initially taken into custody.
Schieffer was arrested on March 25 and is facing three criminal charges filed by the Cedar County Sheriff’s Department: kidnapping in the second degree (a Class D felony), armed criminal action (an unclassified felony), and false impersonation of a law enforcement officer (a Class A misdemeanor).
He is scheduled to appear before Judge Jacob Dawson at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 8, at the Cedar County Courthouse in Stockton for a bond reduction hearing.
Court records show that Schieffer appeared for arraignment on April 1 while in custody and without an attorney. During the proceeding, the felony complaint was read aloud, and he was advised of his rights, including the right to remain silent, request representation by a public defender, and present evidence in his own defense. Schieffer requested representation by the public defender’s office, and a bond reduction hearing was scheduled.
At the time of publication, Schieffer remains in the Cedar County Jail with a $0 cash bond.
This story was sent to the press before the April 8 hearing. The El Dorado Springs News will publish updates as new information becomes available.
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