A Joplin man pleaded guilty Monday to a felony domestic assault charge in a plea agreement that leaves open the possibility that he might be granted probation.
Scott E. Buck, 48, pleaded guilty in Jasper County Circuit Court to second-degree domestic assault.
His plea deal would limit the sentence he might be assessed to no more than four years, and the prosecutor has agreed not to oppose any recommendation that he receive a suspended sentence and probation.
Circuit Judge David Dally ordered a sentencing-assessment report and set a sentencing hearing for Aug. 20.
Buck had been facing a sentence of up to seven years for an assault on Heather Shook, his wife at the time, on Sept. 8 of last year. A probable-cause affidavit states that Buck became jealous and upset when the father of Shook’s child called their home. In reaction to the call, Buck punched her several times, breaking her nose, the affidavit said.
Crime & Courts
Joplin man pleads guilty in agreement in domestic assault
- Crime & Courts
-
-
Defendant chooses not to testify in Miami murder trial
Donna Shirley testified Wednesday that Dustin Boggs had blood all over his hands and clothes when she encountered him in the parking lot of a Wal-Mart store the afternoon Danyel Borden was killed.
-
Mindenmines man charged in first-degree assault case
Barton County Prosecutor Steven Kaderly on Wednesday charged a Mindenmines man with first-degree felony assault of another man, who was in serious condition at a Joplin hospital. The felony charge against Charles Lee Kerby, 32, alleges that on Sunday he assaulted John Bryant, 58, causing serious physical injuries. The assault happened in the 800 block of Tucker Street in Mindenmines.
-
State’s key witness testifies in murder trial
The fate of Dustin Boggs may ultimately depend on the credibility of Arturo Council. If jurors believe Council, then Boggs, 25, could be convicted of first-degree murder in the 2012 stabbing and shooting death of his ex-girlfriend, Danyel Borden, 21, at his trial this week in Ottawa County District Court.
-
Witness describes death of Danyel Borden in second day of murder trial for Dustin Boggs
Arturo Council described for a jury today how Dustin Boggs attacked and killed Danyel Borden a year ago on an Ottawa County road.
-
Police warning of men posing as utility workers
The Joplin Police Department issued a warning Monday regarding reports of one or more impostors showing up at the doors of elderly residents and pretending to be Empire District Electric Co. employees checking on circuit breaker boxes.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
-
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.
-
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.
- More Crime & Courts Headlines
-
Defendant chooses not to testify in Miami murder trial



