Court News
Brandon Mills
In a wild story from Pontiac, officers say a man illegally moved into a lakeside vacation cabin, turned it into his own personal dog kennel and attempted to claim ownership of the home with a hand drawn sign nailed to a tree, which hung beside a homemade mailbox the man installed to make the...
Ozark County Sheriff’s Department photo A multi-agency law enforcement effort that included local deputies, SWAT, U.S. Marshals and other officers was carried out June 9 at a residence in Ocie in an attempt to arrest federal fugitive Joshua Cook. The suspect reportedly barricaded himself inside the home and threatened to shoot officers, but after negotiations with Ozark County Deputy Todd Beaver, the man peacefully surrendered himself and was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshal’s office.
What began as a quiet Monday morning in Ocie erupted into a high-stakes law enforcement operation last week as officers descended on the residence of Shane Cook, who they suspected was harboring federal fugitive Joshua Cook. By the time the dust settled that afternoon, three men were in handcuffs,...
Luke Seidel of Drury is facing several charges after shooting near a couple late Wednesday, May 21, and pointing a rifle at Ozark County deputies.
An entry in the Ozark County Sheriff’s report stated that Ozark County dispatch received a 911 call at approximately 9:29 p.m. from a man who said shots...
William Heulsenbeck
William A. Huelsenbeck of Gainesville will serve 80% of his 15 year sentence in the Missouri Department of Corrections after he was found to be in violation of his probation.
Huelsenbeck pleaded guilty on Dec. 18, 2024, to statutory rape of a 12-year-old girl in 2008-09, and was sentenced to 15...
Circuit Court Judge Craig Carter processed 29 defendants during the May 7 session of Ozark County Circuit Court.
Guilty pleas
Nathan T. Rodman pleaded guilty to second degree burglary. Pursuant to a plea agreement, Rodman was sentenced to 3 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections, SES,...
Nathan T. Rodman pleaded guilty to second degree burglary. Pursuant to a plea agreement, Rodman was sentenced to 3 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections, SES, and 5 years probation. An SES, or suspended execution of sentence, means a defendant will be sentenced to a prison term but will...
Circuit Court Judge Craig Carter processed 16 defendants during the April 22 session of Ozark County Circuit Court.
Trevor Van Mansker pleaded guilty to the E class felony of first degree property damage, and two D class felony charges of stealing $750 or more. Pursuant to a plea agreement, Mansker...
Chaz Brock
Chaz B. Brock waived formal arraignment and reading of the charges and pleaded guilty to the charge of unlawful possession of a firearm April 22. According to a plea agreement Brock was sentenced to 4 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. The term will be concurrent with all other...
Logan Johnson
Logan Dakota Johnson, 28, pleaded guilty on April 22, 2025, to resisting arrest by fleeing and creating a substantial risk of injury or death to any person. He was sentenced to 4 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections, SES, and 5 years probation.
An SES, or suspended execution of...
Corey Pool, 32, of Gainesville, has been charged with driving while intoxicated, as a persistent offender. The persistent offender status is due to Pool’s two prior DWI convictions, which elevates the charge from a misdemeanor to a felony. The
Pool also has a misdemeanor charge filed against him...