SOUTHEAST MISSOURI MAN CONVICTED OF ASSAULTING MSHP INVESTIGATOR
A Southeast Missouri man is facing the possibility of life in prison after being convicted of assaulting an officer.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office, 20 year old Zerak Brown, of Viburnum, was found guilty of two counts of assaulting and resisting an officer and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Officials say that evidence presented during the trial demonstrated that Brown physically assaulted a Missouri State Highway Patrol investigator and later pointed a rifle at three other officers attempting to arrest him.
Brown’s offenses occurred in Viburnum on October 23, 2020 and he was apprehended the next day. Related to the investigation, Zerak Brown’s father, Ira Brown, is currently charged with possession of machine guns.
Ira Brown was released on bond and then fled from supervision. His whereabouts are currently unknown and he is a fugitive from justice.
Officials say that Zerak Brown faces up to life in prison on his charges. Sentencing is set for February 16th.
PEDESTRIAN FLOWN TO MEMPHIS HOSPITAL AFTER BEING HIT BY A VEHICLE
A pedestrian was flown from the scene of a wreck Thursday in Ripley County.
Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell KWOC News that a Dodge Van struck a GMC Sierra was stopped partially in the roadway on Missouri Highway 21, four miles north of Doniphan.
The Van then continued on the roadway and struck a Toyota truck.
The initial collision caused the Sierra to strike a pedestrian, identified as 44 year old Michael Haywood, of Doniphan. Haywood was seriously injured and flown to a Memphis hospital.
The driver of the van suffered minor injuries and was transported to a Poplar Bluff hospital.
JUVENILE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY IN CONNECTION TO ATTEMPTED ARMED ROBBERY
An investigation into a reported armed robbery attempt has resulted in the arrest of one juvenile.
Dexter Police Chief Hank Trout tells KWOC News that on Friday a woman reported that she was sitting in her vehicle at Walmart when a white truck, occupied by 3 males, pulled up beside her.
One of the males approached her, displayed a firearm, and demanded money. The suspects then left the area without taking any property from the victim.
Trout says that the suspect vehicle was located during the investigation and three suspects were identified. One juvenile has been taken into custody.
Trout says that the investigation is ongoing.
MISSOURI OPENS CORONAVIRUS VACCINE BOOSTER TO ALL ADULTS
All adults in Missouri now are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster.
All adults now can receive a booster shot six months after their last Pfizer or Moderna dose. People can mix-and-match boosters from any company.
Missouri's health department acted within hours of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approving widespread boosters Friday.
The government is trying to get ahead of rising coronavirus cases that experts fear could snowball into a winter surge with upcoming holiday travel.
DRIVER FACING MULTIPLE FELONY CHARGES FOLLOWING SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK
A Poplar Bluff man is facing multiple felony charges following a single vehicle wreck on Saturday.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 36 year old Kristopher Lee was driving on Missouri Highway 158 near Harviell when his vehicle travelled off the side of the roadway and struck a ditch.
Lee suffered serious injuries in the wreck and was transported to a Poplar Bluff hospital.
According to an arrest report from the Highway Patrol, Lee is also facing felony charges of driving while intoxicated – alcohol and driving while revoked.
ROUTE 60 IN STODDARD COUNTY TO BE REDUCED THIS WEEK
Route 60 in Stoddard County will be reduced to one lane this week as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs.
The section of roadway to be reduced is located from Route WW to Route 51.
Weather permitting, work will take place from 7:30 am to 2:30 pm daily, through Wednesday.
