Author: KMIZ

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A corrections officer at Boonville Correctional Center was charged with two felonies on Wednesday after authorities claimed she had sexual relations with an inmate.

Emmalee Walker, of Boonville, was charged in Cooper County with first-degree sodomy and committing sexual conduct in the course of public duty. A $10,000 bond was issued on Thursday, though her information did not appear on the Cooper County Jail’s online roster.

The probable cause statement alleges that Walker engaged in sexual relations with an inmate between October 2025-March 23, 2026, while inside a staff restroom area. Walker and the inmate allegedly talked about their sexual encounters during phone calls that were recorded at the jail between March 27-April 12, court documents say.

Video footage allegedly showed Walker and the inmate enter the staff restroom area for several minutes three separate times in March, the statement says.

Walker and the inmate denied having any physical or sexual contact to authorities, the statement says.

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Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Two men received probation in a deadly shooting case Thursday after pleading guilty to reduced charges.

Tavion Johnson, 21, and Daevion McCray, 22, were originally charged with felony murder in the 2024 shooting death of Orrion Moody, 28. They each pleaded guilty in April to two counts of second-degree assault and a count of unlawful use of a weapon.

Circuit Judge Joshua Devine sentenced Johnson and McCray each to five years of supervised probation with a suspended imposition of sentence.

Cellphone information had allegedly tracked them to the location of the Oct. 20, 2024, shooting in the 3900 block of Clark Lane.

Court documents say one person admitted to firing a gun after being fired at from another residence and that Johnson was one of the shooters. Investigators used Instagram videos showing Johnson waving guns at the scene before the shooting to corroborate the identification.

“We are really thankful for Judge Devine’s decision today,” said Jeffrey Hillbrenner, defense attorney for Johnson. “Boone County is fortunate to have judges who take the time to look at the whole person, the entire case, and all of the facts. Judge Devine did exactly that today, and we are grateful for it.

“Tavion has been through an extraordinary amount of pain. The tragic death in this case was his own brother — the only father figure he ever had. Tavion was present during a chaotic, violent event and watched his brother get shot and die. He will carry that loss for the rest of his life.”

Court records say several factors went into Johnson’s sentencing, including the fact that no evidence showed that he fired a gun on the night of Moody’s death. Records also noted that Johnson has been jailed for about 20 months.

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Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A 7-year-old boy was pronounced dead at University Hospital after he crashed a side-by-side Wednesday on a gravel road in Morgan County near Proctor.

The Stover boy was driving the vehicle on Blackbird Road near Birch Road at about 5:30 p.m. when the UTV skidded on the gravel, went off the left side of the road and overturned, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report. The boy and a 42-year-old passenger, who had minor injuries, were each taken by ambulance to the hospital.

The death was the seventh traffic-related death this month in the Patrol’s Troop F region.

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Alison Patton

UNION, Mo. (KMIZ)

A judge imposed the death penalty Thursday on a man who was found guilty of murdering a Hermann police officer and injuring another in a Casey’s gas station

A jury found Kenneth Simpson guilty of first-degree murder, armed criminal action, assault, drug possession and other charges in January. Jurors also recommended a death sentence for Simpson, according to previous reporting.

Judge Craig Hellman sentenced Simpson to death after hearing victim statements, including from Officer Adam Sullentrup, who is still recovering from that night at Casey’s. Hellman also heard new evidence in the form of texts, voice messages and video calls from Simpon’s time in jail.

One voice recording is Simpson talking to another person about guns. In the recording, he mentioned a specific type of gun and said “That’s what I used to kill the cop with,” and followed that with, “It’ll go through a vest, ‘cuz I proved that.”

The hearing began at 1 p.m., with the sentence coming down at about 3:30 p.m.

During that time, family and friends of Sullentrup and Sgt. Mason Griffith, who was killed, spoke about how Simpson’s actions were intentional and continue to follow them.

One of Sullentrup’s aunts said she didn’t recognize him when she visited him in the hospital after he was shot. She said her nephew was permanently and catastrophically injured.

Many of Sullentrup’s family spoke, and detailed how he had to relearn basic tasks, like how to walk and talk.

In his own testimony, Sullentrup spoke in a whisper with a hoarse voice and told the courtroom he misses his independence and his friend Griffith.

Simpson was accused of shooting and killing Sgt. Mason Griffith and injuring Officer Adam Sullentrup in March 2023. Sullentrup testified at the sentencing hearing.

Check back for updates.

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Euphenie Andre

ROLLA, Mo. (KMIZ)

State leaders, industry experts, researchers and business stakeholders gathered in Rolla on Thursday to discuss the future of artificial intelligence and data center development in Missouri.

Gov. Mike Kehoe hosted the conference at Missouri S&T’s new Proto-Plex building, bringing together leaders from across the state to explore how Missouri can position itself as artificial intelligence technology continues to grow.

The event began at 9 a.m. and is scheduled to run through 3:30 p.m.

Gov. Mike Kehoe was joined by Tim Marczewski of the Missouri Office of Administration, as well as Missouri S&T faculty members Dr. Amaury Lendasse and Dr. Genda Chen.

As AI technology becomes increasingly integrated into daily life and business operations, researchers and engineers said data centers play a critical role in supporting those systems. Data centers provide the computing power and infrastructure needed to keep AI programs operating around the clock.

According to AI experts, the five key components of a data center are computing, cooling, power, security and operations.

Dr. Chen said that a data center building could last decades years, while IT equipment needed to be refreshed multiple times:

Servers: 3-7 years

Storage Systems: 3-8 years

Network Equipment: 5-10 years

UPS Systems: 10-20 years

Cooling Systems: 15-25 years

Generators: 20-30+ yeas

Building Structure: 30-60+ years

The conference drew a large crowd of industry leaders, researchers, educators and community members interested in the technology’s future and its potential economic impact on Missouri.

However, not everyone supported the state’s efforts to encourage additional AI and data center development.

A group of protesters gathered outside the conference with posters, raising concerns about the environmental, economic and community impacts of large-scale data centers.

Marsha Snodgrass, who is running for Missouri House District 143, said residents she hopes to represent have concerns about the potential impact data centers could have on utility costs, water resources and quality of life.

“They’re concerned about their electric prices going up,” Snodgrass said. “They feel that these data centers are like a runaway train, that they’re just plowing into their communities.”

Supporters of the projects argue that data centers could bring significant economic benefits to Missouri. Organizers said each facility could create hundreds of jobs, including positions for engineers, researchers, electricians, construction workers and other skilled trades.

They also pointed to Missouri’s available land and existing energy infrastructure as advantages that make the state attractive for future development.

But for some rural residents, those same factors have become a source of concern.

“They’re worried about the effect that the light and noise is going to have on their neighborhood,” Snodgrass said. “There’s a reason why people live in rural Missouri, because Missouri is beautiful and we love it that way.”

Franklin County resident Jeff Hayden said he is concerned that two proposed data centers near his home could negatively affect his property and quality of life.

“Things have been going really poorly for the public due to non-disclosure agreements by commissioners and people in power not listening to the public,” Hayden said.

State leaders and researchers sought to address many of those concerns during the event.

Gov. Kehoe said Missouri intends to pursue data center development while balancing economic growth and community interests.

“But we’re going to do it the Missouri way with common sense responsibility and with a focus on making sure this technology serves people and not the other way around,” Kehoe said.

Dr. Genda Chen, a researcher at Missouri S&T, said Amazon’s planned $10 billion investment in Missouri would help fund the energy infrastructure upgrades needed to support the facilities, rather than placing those costs directly on residents.

Chen also pushed back on concerns about water usage, saying Missouri has abundant water resources that can support future development.

Kehoe acknowledged that energy prices are expected to rise over time because of growing demand, regardless of whether the proposed data centers move forward.

The governor also connected the projects to broader President Donald Trump’s national efforts to strengthen the country’s technological competitiveness.

“Just like generations before us stepped up to meet big moments in history, it’s our opportunity to step up and secure America’s leadership in this next generation of innovation,” Kehoe said.

Snodgrass said she still feels Thursday’s press conference was informational but believes residents are not receiving full transparency about the projects.

According to the presentation, more than half of recent job postings now require AI-related skills. Those skills also command higher pay, with workers earning an average of 28% more, roughly $18,000 annually.

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Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Two men who pleaded guilty to lesser charges in connection with a deadly 2024 shooting in Columbia are set to be sentenced Thursday.

Daevion McCray and Tavion Johnson will be in the Boone County Courthouse at 8:30 a.m. for sentencing before Judge Devine. In April, both pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree assault and one count of unlawful use of a weapon in the death of Orrion Moody in October 2024.

The two men were previously charged with second-degree felony murder, two counts of second-degree assault after a shooting in the 3900 block of Clark Lane. Police used cellphone information that had allegedly tracked them to the location.

A witness told ABC 17 News at the time that a group of six people were waiting near the corner of a white fence on the property and began to open fire on the home. A person then came out the front door of the home and began firing back, they said. They added that the person who was shot was part of the group of six who initially opened fire.

According to court documents, the shooting might have been part of an ongoing feud between Johnson and another person.

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ABC 17 News Team

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A 17-year-old Centralia High School student and basketball player is dead after a crash in Boone County on Wednesday at 9:45 p.m.

A Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report said the 17-year-old failed to stop at a stop sign on Highway 124 at Gano Chance Road.

The Centralia Panthers basketball team posted that the victim was Hunter Hull. Hull was a junior at Centralia last year and a member of the varsity boys’ basketball team. He also played on a traveling team. A teammate was riding with him and suffered injuries.

“Hunter was an important part of our basketball family, and his loss is felt deeply by his teammates, coaches, classmates, and friends,” the team posted.

The district sent a message to families stating that district counselors will be on campus until 3 p.m. to help students, faculty and staff deal with the loss.

“Please join me in keeping this student’s family and friends in mind in the days and months ahead,” Superintendent Steven Chancellor wrote.

A 28-year-old Columbia woman driving an SUV crossed the center of the road trying to avoid the teen’s vehicle. The woman’s SUV hit the backside of Hull’s vehicle, causing the teen’s vehicle to overturn several times and throwing him from the vehicle.

Hull was taken to University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The 28-year-old woman was taken to Missouri Hospital with serious injuries.

An 18-year-old man from Centralia, Keilin Dorman, was a passenger in Hull’s vehicle, and he was taken to University Hospital with serious injuries. Dorman plays travel basketball on the same team as Hull — JC Elite. The team identified him in a post Thursday morning and said he remained hospitalized with serious injuries.

Dorman also played at Hallsville High School.

This is Troop F’s sixth death for June.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man who is accused of helping a murder suspect evade law enforcement was given a bond during a hearing on Wednesday.

Skyler Powell, 24, of Moberly, is charged with hindering a felony prosecution. He is accused of helping hide Alayna Mason after she allegedly stole a Randolph County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle.

Mason, 20, is one two people who was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Kayla Huff. Mason was also charged with first-degree kidnapping, as well as stealing a vehicle, stealing a gun and escaping confinement in the patrol vehicle theft case.

Powell was being held without bond, but it was reduced to $250,000 on Wednesday, according to court filings. He is still listed on the jail’s online roster. His next hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19.

Mason has a hearing scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 24.

Powell was allegedly an “overnight guest” at Mason’s residence on May 7, court documents in previous reporting say. Previous reporting shows Mason allegedly told him that she stole a patrol vehicle and Powell “permitted” Mason to hide herself in the basement of the building. He also allegedly cut Mason’s handcuffs.

Hunter Ames, 19, is also charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, tampering with evidence, second-degree burglary and first-degree property damage. He is being held at the Randolph County Jail without bond. His next hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday, July 23.

Christopher Hull, 23, is charged with kidnapping, tampering with evidence, second-degree burglary and first-degree property damage. He is being held without bond and a hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. Monday, July 6.

Julian Mason, 26, is charged with kidnapping, tampering with evidence, second-degree burglary and first-degree property damage. He is also being held without bond and has a hearing set for 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 8. A juvenile is also accused in the case.

Huff, 16, was last seen May 6 before her body was found about a week later.

A probable cause statement says Alayna Mason told investigators that she, with help from Ames and Hull, had taken Huff to the Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area in Randolph County with an unknown person in the trunk of a vehicle, where they beat and shot her. Ames allegedly told investigators that the group killed Huff, court documents in previous reporting show.

Hull, Ames and Julian Mason allegedly poured oil or antifreeze into Huff’s gas tank the night of her death, according to court documents.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A lawsuit was filed in Boone County on Wednesday that challenges the legality of a revenue guarantee for the city to host American Airlines flights to Charlotte.

The lawsuit was filed by Mark Winter and Richard Shanker – who identify themselves in court documents in documents as “residents and taxpayers.” The petition also names the city and Finance Director Matthew Lue as defendants.

Previous reporting says funds for the revenue guarantee would come from $750,000 of private contributions and $750,000 from the Transportation Sales Tax. The Goldwater Institute – which is a right-wing think tank – had published a letter last month questioning the legality of the agreement under the Missouri Constitution.

Winter and Shanker allege in the petition that the revenue guarantee violates the gift clause of the Missouri Constitution and that the city did not have the authority to enter the agreement.

ABC 17 News reached out to the city on Wednesday afternoon.

26BA-CV03208Download

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A 68-year-old man from Paris, Missouri, was flown to University Hospital on Wednesday after his UTV crashed in Monroe County, according to a crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The report says the man drove the Kawasaki Mule 3000 on private property when he crashed into a tree and was ejected.

He was not using a safety device, the report says.

The man was flown to University Hospital with serious injuries, the report says. The UTV had extensive damage.

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