POPLAR BLUFF MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON IN RAPE, SODOMY CASE
A Poplar Bluff man was sentenced to time in prison in a rape, sodomy case.
According to officials from the Poplar Bluff Police Department, 47 year old Robert Chavez, of Poplar Bluff, was charged on 1st degree statutory sodomy, and 1st degree statutory rape.
These charges stem from multiple witness, law enforcement, and victim testimonies – as well as a letter read by the victim – which state that Chavez began sexually abusing the then 13 year old victim in October 2012, and continued the abuse until June of 2014.
A SAFE examination by the victim, as well as several months worth of messages between the two, were also used as evidence in court trials.
Chavez is currently incarcerated at the Butler County Jail, and will be serving 55 years jail time – 25 years on statutory sodomy, and 30 years for statutory rape.
ARREST MADE IN PEMISCOT COUNTY FOLLOWING METHAMPHETAMINE CHARGE
A man was taken into custody in Pemiscot County on Tuesday for methamphetamine possession.
According to the Pemiscot County Sheriff’s Department, 43 year old Bryan Prater, of Baytown, Texas, was arrested for the felony charge of possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine.
He was transported to the Pemiscot County Jail following his arrest.
INJURIES REPORTED IN BUTLER COUNTY FOLLOWING VEHICLE CRASH
A driver was injured in Butler County on Tuesday from a vehicle crash.
Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell KWOC News that the incident occurred on Highway O, north of Poplar Bluff, where a vehicle ran off the roadway and struck 2 guy wires and a utility pole.
The elderly driver suffered minor injuries from the crash, and was transported to a Poplar Bluff hospital for treatment.
NEW CASE OF COVID-19 REPORTED IN STODDARD COUNTY, TOTAL CASES IN MISSOURI OVER 11,000
A new case of the coronavirus was reported in Stoddard County, and the number of cases in the state has peaked 11,000.
According to the Stoddard County Health Department, as well as the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, a new case was announced on Tuesday, raising the total cases in the County to 65.
The patient has been quarantined, and the health departments are working to contact anyone who may have been exposed while they were active.
Additionally, a resident of the Crowley Ridge Nursing Home in Dexter, who tested positive for the disease, died on Tuesday, however the cause of death is currently undetermined. 27 other residents of the nursing home tested positive, and 5 of them are currently hospitalized.
In Missouri, the total number of COVID-19 cases has increased to 11,080, and a total of 616 deaths in the state have been directly linked to the disease.
If you are showing symptoms of the virus, including shortness of breath, fever, and persistent coughing, you are advised to contact your primary healthcare provider before visiting any emergency or hospital rooms.
MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL EXPANDS ALERT SYSTEMS
The Missouri State Highway Patrol has announced that it has expanded its AMBER Alert System.
According to the Patrol, the system has been expanded to include a Blue Alert system, which will provide law enforcement with early warnings for officers for a variety of scenarios involving the arrest of suspects who have reported to have killed or injured an officer.
A Blue Alert will initiate when an officer is missing, an officer or law enforcer is killed or injured, a credible threat to kill or injure an officer is reported, or a request to activate the Alert is approved.
ROADWAY IN NEW MADRID COUNTY SCHEDULED FOR REDUCTION DURING REPAIRS
A roadway in New Madrid County will be reduced while it undergoes repairs.
According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, a section of Route 153, from Route B to Route 62, will be reduced to one lane while MoDOT crews perform pavement repairs.
The work is set to begin today, and will continue through Thursday, from 7 am to 4:30 pm both days.
