A Joplin man pleaded guilty this week to a felony domestic assault on his girlfriend and was assessed three years in prison.
Ronal B. Smith, 27, entered the plea in Jasper County Circuit Court in Joplin in an agreement with the prosecutor’s office that limited the prison time he might be assessed to no more than three years.
The defendant waived his right to a sentencing-assessment report, and Circuit Judge David Dally assessed the prison term.
According to a probable-cause affidavit, Smith grabbed Sheree Lemaire by the throat and choked her. She told sheriff’s deputies that he also grabbed her hair and struck her head against a wall several times.
Crime & Courts
August 8, 2012
Sentence imposed in assault case
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New Mexico man draws prison term in Joplin child-rape case
A 59-year-old man was sentenced to 15 years in prison Monday after pleading guilty to sexual abuse of a developmentally disabled 8-year-old girl in Joplin. Robert L. Newton pleaded guilty in Jasper County Circuit Court to first-degree statutory rape, first-degree statutory sodomy and felony failure to appear in court in a plea agreement with the prosecutor’s office.
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Alcohol, speed suspected factors in fatal crash Saturday
The driver in a double-fatality accident Saturday in Joplin is suspected of having been intoxicated and speeding at almost twice the posted limit. He may also have been attempting a trick-driving maneuver, according to a probable-cause affidavit.
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Former disaster relief worker, others indicted for fraud following Joplin tornado
A federal grand jury has indicted a former employee of the Economic Security Corp. in Joplin, her boyfriend and a third alleged conspirator in connection with the defrauding of the government via tornado relief funds. A sealed, three-count indictment was returned June 11 in U.S. District Court in Springfield against Herlana L. Latham, 31, and Christopher L. Smith, 36, both of Memphis, Tenn., and John L. Williams, 30, of Cairo, Ill. T
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Wounded driver in police shooting charged
A suspect accused of trying to run down two Joplin police officers with a sport utility vehicle early Sunday was winged in an arm and hand when the officers shot at him in response, police said. Brandon J. Knoderer, 32, underwent surgery Monday at a Joplin hospital to remove bullet fragments from his right arm and left hand.
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Crash in Joplin claims two lives; charges being sought on driver
Two people were killed and a third occupant injured in a single-vehicle crash early today in Joplin, resulting in manslaughter charges being sought against the driver.
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Two area men die as result of crash injuries
A Lamar man died of injuries sustained in a single-vehicle accident at 10:05 p.m. Thursday on Route T, four miles southeast of Lamar in Barton County, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
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Judge orders trial for infant’s mother; woman faces manslaughter charge
A judge has ruled that an Arma woman should be tried on a charge of involuntary manslaughter, and not murder, in the death of her 4-month-old baby. District Judge A.J. Wachter ordered Heather L. Buckalew, 25, bound over for trial on the manslaughter charge at the conclusion of a hearing this week in Crawford County District Court in Pittsburg.
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Three injured in traffic accident in Vernon County
Three people suffered serious injuries in a two-vehicle accident at 3:45 p.m. Thursday on U.S. Highway 54, two miles east of Nevada in Vernon County, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
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Joplin man holds door shut, thwarts break-in attempt
A Joplin man thwarted an attempted break-in at his home Wednesday night by holding his back door shut against two would-be intruders, police said.
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Joplin woman granted probation in assault case
A Joplin woman was assessed a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to a reduced charge in a robbery case.
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