Tracking Local Crime and Court Cases
This is 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 shed light on 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; however, we 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 Jasper woman is facing charges after her arrest on Sept. 14.
From the El Dorado Springs Newsroom
According to jail records, 41-year-old Erica Taffner was booked into the Cedar County Jail on one count of endangering the welfare of a child in the second degree. Deputies with the Dade County Sheriff’s Office arrested on Sept. 14, and Taffner was placed on a 24-hour hold.
Court records show no bond has been set in the case. As of press time, Taffner remained in custody at the Cedar County Jail.
A review of Missouri court records did not show any past criminal convictions or pending felony cases for Taffner.
The case will proceed in circuit court, where the prosecuting attorney will review formal charges, and a judge will determine future hearing dates.
Jasper man accused of child abuse, assault; held without bond
From the El Dorado Springs Newsroom
A Jasper man was arrested Sept. 14 in Dade County and booked into the Cedar County Jail on multiple charges, including abuse or neglect of a child, interfering with arrest, and obstructing government operations.
According to the probable cause statement filed by Deputy A. Baldwin of the Dade County Sheriff’s Office, 61-year-old Marvin Duain Taffner Jr. became involved in a confrontation at Ruark West Campground in Greenfield. Authorities allege that after a dispute, Taffner forced his stepdaughter into a vehicle, drove her to a nearby location, and left her unsupervised. When contacted, Taffner refused to cooperate with law enforcement and resisted arrest before eventually being taken into custody.
Court records show that Prosecuting Attorney Marcy Florence Greenwade filed charges the following day. Taffner is currently facing felony counts of abuse or neglect of a child, interfering with arrest, and misdemeanor obstruction of government operations. Additional charges listed in the probable cause filing include domestic assault and harassment.
Past cases involving Taffner include two earlier felony charges of abuse or neglect of a child, filed on July 21 and Sept. 14, 2025. He has also been cited for fourth-degree assault under Missouri law in relation to incidents involving special victims.
Deputy Baldwin’s statement further describes prior allegations from July, when Taffner reportedly threw ears of corn at his stepdaughter, knocked her to the ground, and threatened continued violence.
Judge Gary A. Troxell is presiding over the case in the Circuit Court of Dade County. Prosecutor Greenwade continues to represent the state.
As of press time, Taffner remained held at the Cedar County Jail without bond.
Everton man facing multiple felony charges after arrest in Dade County
From the El Dorado Springs Newsroom
An Everton man, 33, is facing a series of felony charges following his September 9 arrest by the Dade County Sheriff’s Office.
Court records show Matthew S. Carmical was taken into custody on warrants connected to incidents reported on July 6, 2025. The charges include unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon by exhibiting, property damage in the first degree, and armed criminal action. He is also charged in a separate matter with second-degree domestic assault and resisting arrest by fleeing in a manner that created a substantial risk of serious injury or death.
Judge Munton is presiding over the pending criminal cases in Dade County Circuit Court. Prosecuting Attorney Marcy Florence Greenwade is representing the State. Defense attorney Huffman entered an appearance during Carmical’s arraignment in August, where Carmical pleaded not guilty. His bond was set at $25,000 cash or surety with conditions including placement on a SCRAM bracelet and no contact with alleged victims or witnesses.
Court filings reflect that on Sept. 8, Carmical failed to provide a required urinalysis sample, prompting the court to issue a capias bond order the following day. Prosecutor Greenwade filed a motion to revoke bond on Sept. 10, and the warrant was served the same day by the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office.
A case management conference is scheduled for Oct. 8, 2025, at 2 p.m. before Judge Munton in Dade County.
Carmical has an extensive history in the circuit, with prior filings including felony charges in 2022 and 2024, misdemeanor and traffic cases dating back to 2014, and multiple protection order cases in 2021 and 2025. Records also show a conservation violation in 2020 and involvement in a probate case in 2015.
As of press time, Carmical remained held in the Cedar County Jail.
Stockton man arrested on drug and license charges
From the El Dorado Springs Newsroom
A Stockton man is facing charges following his arrest earlier this month.
On Sept. 8, 2025, Micheal Halter, 32, of Stockton, was taken into custody by the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office and booked into the Cedar County Jail.
Halter was arrested on warrants connected to cases originally filed in October 2023. He is charged with possession of a controlled substance and with driving while revoked or suspended. Both cases list a cash-only bond of $5,000. The warrants originated from Stockton City arrest records.
As of press time, Halter was still being held at the Cedar County Jail.
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