Author: KMIZ

Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Missouri House and Senate bill are being considered in legislative committees with goals of curbing juvenile crime.

This comes after Gov. Mike Kehoe gave his State of the State address Tuesday, which highlighted plans for state income tax, budget and public safety.

“Violent crime committed by juveniles has reached a concerning level in Missouri,” Kehoe said. “Our juvenile justice system was designed to rehabilitate young people who make mistakes, but it was never meant to be a revolving door for repeat offenders who pose a real danger to the public.”

In January, a 17-year-old was arrested after police claimed he fired shots inside Dick’s Sporting Goods in the Shoppes at Stadium area, later leading sheriff’s deputies on a chase in Pettis county.

The summer of 2025 also led to several juvenile arrests after the death of a 16-year-old in May and 18-year-old in June.

Kehoe alluded to two bills during his speech, House Bill 2498, sponsored by State Rep. Brad Christ (R-St. Louis) and Senate Bill 888, sponsored by Sen. Nick Schroer (R-St. Charles).

Both bills will allow county prosecutors who have evidence to request a hearing to prosecute a juvenile as an adult. Currently, juvenile judges typically decide how a juvenile offender is prosecuted.

According to Boone County Prosecutor Roger Johnson, if a juvenile commits a crime that would be considered a felony if committed by an adult, they typically are already set to be certified and prosecuted as an adult.

“I don’t know that it would change things in some of the most violent offenses because those cases are going to be presented to the judge for certification anyway,” Johnson said. “It would get us involved earlier on in the process of working on those cases.”

Johnson highlighted two unique parts of the House bill. One section looks to add juvenile criminal history to the state’s crime records.

Johnson described the State’s Juvenile Office’s records and criminal histories as a “black box,” and that the office and county courts work in separate systems.

“Currently, we don’t have access to that. But under these proposals, we would,” Johnson said.

Johnson added the additional information could help with court filing.

“We have 16 attorneys, and so we have limited resources. In a lot of cases, we have to decide where we’re going to focus our resources and we try to focus our resources on repeat offenders and violent offenders,” Johnson said, “Were we to have information about juveniles who’ve been a continual problem over time, that’ll help us know that that’s a case that we really need to focus on.”

The House bill also proposes holding the parents and guardians of repeat juvenile offenders accountable by charging parents who fail to control the child or encourage the child in committing crimes with endangering the welfare of a child. Johnson said it would be a new way to hold parents accountable.

“We’ve had situations where parents are antagonizing their juveniles to fight, we’ve had cases where they’re driving them to fights. We’ve even had cases where parents are giving juveniles a gun to go out and commit a crime,” Johnson said.

He added cases under this possible charge could be complicated, and he expects offices to have discretion if parents need to be evaluated in the future.

“Our job is not just to try to lock people up, it’s to try to pursue justice and so in a case like that, we would have to look at it and make sure that what we’re doing really is fair,” Johnson said.

Johnson also voiced an overall need for long-term investment in the state’s juvenile system, if the general assembly is looking to manage more juvenile offenders.

“Our juvenile facility, in particular, was just developed at a time when the juvenile landscape was much different,” Johnson said. “Now, instead of having people in the juvenile system, or housed there who maybe were vandals, we’re talking about housing people there who were committing shooting cases or homicides.”

He adds that current facilities sometimes have design limitations and lack space for housing several suspects or groups who may be violent toward one another. Johnson also reports that job retention and recruitment are issues in the juvenile office.

“My guess is that we would see more results with investment of resources under the juvenile system rather than necessarily some of the statutory changes,” Johnson said. “Not to say that the statutory changes might not be helpful or might be a bad idea, but I think really to make significant change in this area, we’re going to have to invest resources into the juvenile system.”

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A vehicle involved in a crash Wednesday night at a Brickton Road intersection was first involved in a chase with police, according to Columbia Police Department Lt. Anthony Bowne.

The intersection of Brickton Road and Conley Road was blocked off on Wednesday night after a vehicle had flipped on its side after a crash.

Two vehicles were involved in the crash. The driver of a white sedan was pulled over for speeding at 7:07 p.m. and tried to speed away from police because they did not have a license, Bowne said.

The traffic stop began near the intersection of Range Line Street and Interstate 70, a CPD release from Wednesday night says.

“Officers attempted the stop for felony driving without a license, a stop sign violation, and suspicion of drug activity. The vehicle failed to stop for officers and fled east on Interstate 70,” the release says.

The driver in the sedan crashed into a green truck, causing the truck to fall on its side. The driver of the white sedan then tried to run away to a nearby parking lot to steal another vehicle, but was arrested by police. The name of the driver was not given to media on Wednesday night.

Police confirmed that the suspect and his passenger were both injured in the crash and were brought to an area hospital. The driver inside the truck that flipped on its side had no reported injuries, according to Bowne.

Both cars were being towed at 8:09 p.m.

The release says the driver is detained on suspicion of driving without a license, not stopping at a stop sign, aggravated fleeing, attempted vehicle theft, resisting arrest, kidnapping and leaving the scene of an accident.

Check back for updates.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A traffic study provided by the Regional Economic Development Inc. along a portion of Route B indicates a new road could be built to help with expected traffic needs as businesses expect significant growrth.

An access study on Route B was conducted in 2025, with a report dated Dec. 10. It specifically looked at a portion of Route B between Highway 63 and Waco Road.

REDI reached out to evaluate the potential of adding a new traffic signal near a new “Collector Road” that could be situated between JBS Foods and Schnieder Electric. The study indicates that Missouri Department of Transportation is in favor of the idea.

The study claims Schneider Electric currently has 321 employees over three shifts and expects to add 240 by 2028, equating a nearly 75% increase. JBS Foods has 210 employees over two shifts and expects to add 70 workers, or 33%, during the same period, the study says.

Solventum has 550 employees over several shifts and expects to add 30 employees per year during the next three years, while Mid-City Lumber plans to add a new shop and storage area, the study says.

A “Collector Road” would go east-and-west to intersect with Route B, should it determined to be warranted on multiple factors. Data sets within the study indicate that should growth continue at each business without building a “Collector Road,” traffic conditions in the afternoon near JBS and Schneider Electric could worsen.

67-25 Route B Access Study_DRAFT 121025Download

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man with a warrant from North Dakota was charged in Boone County after he allegedly a fired a gun through a wall of a Columbia apartment on Monday.

Jah’ree Walker, 24, was charged on Wednesday with two counts of illegal gun possession, one count of armed criminal action and a count of tampering with evidence. He was also charged in another case with being a fugitive from out of state.

He is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. An initial court appearance is scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday.

The probable cause statement says police were called at 3:35 p.m. Tuesday to an apartment building in the 1800 block of Gordon Street to remove Walker from the residence.

The caller was Walker’s mother, who allegedly told police he moved into her apartment on Nov. 21 and planned to stay for “a couple of days,” the statement says. She allegedly told police that she believed he continued to stay because he had a warrant for his arrest in Minnesota. Court documents indicate his warrant is from North Dakota.

The night before, Walker allegedly fired a bullet through multiple walls within the apartment, the statement says. Police also noted shrapnel holes in a wall, court documents say. Police also wrote there are “multiple” apartments on each side.

Walker was taken into custody and police found a rifle in the residence, the statement says. Walker has a prior felony conviction and is not allowed to have a gun, court documents say.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Law enforcement arrested a Columbia man who allegedly had a gun following a chase that ended near Veterans United’s southern Columbia campus on Wednesday.

The Boone County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a Wednesday evening press release that Devin Taylor, 25, of Columbia, was eventually found and detained. Taylor was brought to an area hospital for evaluation and will be booked into the Boone County Jail after he is medically cleared, the release says.

The sheriff’s office wrote that deputies responded to a burglary call at 8:47 a.m. at a business in the 5200 block of East St. Charles Road. Taylor allegedly stole several items, including a rifle. Taylor then allegedly tried to cash a fraudulent check at 12:51 p.m. in the 3600 block of Buttonwood Drive, a deputy saw him in a vehicle and a nine-minute chase occurred, the release says.

Taylor crashed into another vehicle near State Farm Parkway and Nifong Boulevard and residents told law enforcement they saw his vehicle go toward Veterans United’s campus, the release says. He then allegedly ran into the woods with the gun, the release says. He was found at 1:24 p.m. and the gun was later recovered by law enforcement.

An ABC 17 News photographer saw deputies and Columbia police in the area with a K-9.

The driver of the vehicle Taylor’s vehicle crashed into had no injuries, the release says.

Rock Bridge High School, Rock Bridge Elementary School and Gentry Middle School were all put on temporary “hold and secures” while law enforcement worked in the area. Columbia Public Schools spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark said in an email the “hold and secure” lasted about five minutes. The measure was done due to Veterans United’s proximity to the schools, and the chase did not involve any of the schools.

Parents of students at each school were notified, as well as parents of touring from John Warner Middle School.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man who is set to go to trial in the spring for rape and other sex crimes is now facing 10 counts of child porn possession in Morgan County.

Tristian Dale Washia-Mayhew, 23, was charged in 2024 with first-degree rape, second-degree statutory rape and fourth-degree child molestation. A jury trial is scheduled for those charges at 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 12. He is being held at the Morgan County Jail without bond.

His new charges were filed on Tuesday and an arraignment is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday.

The probable cause statement for the new set of charges says child pornography was found on his phone while authorities did a cellphone extraction for his other cases.

The statement claims Washia-Mayhew had saved child porn — on the social media application Snapchat – from multiple conversations he had with girls. He had also allegedly provided his address multiple times on the app.

Court documents in previous reporting claim one of the rape victims passed out after they were given alcohol and awoke to Washia-Mayhew raping them. That same statement claims Washia-Mayhew had pestered one of the victims for nude photos, while Washia-Mayhew allegedly told law enforcement they were unsolicited.

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Jessica Hafner

The ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team has issued a Weather Alert Day for dangerous cold that returns Monday morning after a brief warmup Sunday afternoon. Wind chills are expected to fall below 0° in many locations, and remain there in some locations through noon.

SETUP

An arctic airmass settled over the region this weekend, which caused wind chills to drop below zero Sunday morning.

A second cold front passed through this afternoon, leaving us in northerly flow overnight and into Monday. This brings another arctic airmass in that feels even colder Monday morning, and again colder through the afternoon.

Monday will be overall colder, with wind chills in the single digits much of the day as highs only reach into the teens. Wind chills will again fall to the single digits Tuesday morning before temperatures rise to the upper 30s and 40s in the afternoon. South winds look like they may begin to warm us prior to sunrise, saving us from a repeat of Monday’s cold.

Limit your and your pet’s time outdoors, especially during the early mornings on Sunday and Monday. When wind chills approach -15°, frostbite can occur in as little as 30 minutes, so be sure to cover as much exposed skin as possible with scarves, earmuffs, gloves, and face coverings.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Maries County deputy has been charged with a felony for an act that allegedly occurred when he was a member of the Belle Marshal’s office.

Erican Blake Sugg, of Vienna, was charged in Maries County with third-degree assault and second-degree property damage. A criminal summons was issued on Wednesday and an initial court appearance was scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3.  

The probable cause statement alleges that Sugg claimed a resident – who is listed as a 72-year-old veteran in court documents – was in violation of a city ordinance and Sugg requested the man give him his driver’s license. The man refused to give Sugg his information and closed the door, the statement says.

The victim allegedly opened his door to let his dog in, Sugg tried to force his way into the man’s home and the two got into an “altercation,” the statement says. Court documents cite body camera footage while describing the situation.

Sugg then allegedly told another officer to use a Taser, the statement says. Officers eventually arrested the man.

“Officer Sugg assaulted him and with the threat of being tased put a 72-year-old veteran in apprehension of serious harm,” the city’s marshal wrote in the statement.

Court documents include a statement written by the victim, which claims he asked Sugg if he had a warrant and if he was under arrest, which claims Sugg told him he was not before dragging the man out of his home.

Maries County Sheriff Mark Morgan wrote in a social media post that Sugg has been placed on administrative leave while an internal investigation occurs.

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Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia woman who was charged with 29 counts of animal abuse has now been sued by more than a dozen dog owners from across the United States and abroad.

The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday in Boone County, names Magnum Opus German Shepherds LLC and its owner, Melissa Sanders, 26, and alleges widespread neglect, fraud, and abuse that led to the deaths and severe mistreatment of numerous dogs.

The plaintiffs, including 15 individuals and a couple from Nebraska, Virginia, Minnesota, California and Ohio, as well as Northern Ireland, claim they entrusted their dogs to Sanders for breeding, boarding, training or purchase, believing she was a professional breeder operating a high-quality kennel.

According to court documents, Sanders marketed Magnum Opus as an elite breeding operation focused on health, temperament and proper care; selling puppies for as much as $4,000 and charging for training and boarding services. Plaintiffs allege those representations were false and dogs in Sanders’ care were routinely starved, denied veterinary treatment, kept in filthy conditions and, in some cases, physically abused.

Melissa Sanders dog owner lawsuitDownload

The lawsuit details multiple dogs that died while in Sanders’ custody, including trained and service dogs, breeding dogs and puppies. Necropsy reports cited in the filing describe dogs suffering extreme weight loss, dehydration and starvation, with some dogs reportedly losing nearly half their body weight. Plaintiffs also allege Sanders provided false explanations for the deaths, including accidental strangulation or sudden collapse, and attempted to conceal the true conditions from the owners.

After receiving multiple complaints, Animal Control executed a search warrant at Sanders’ property in November 2025. Authorities allegedly found 16 living dogs in emaciated condition, at least nine dead dogs in various stages of decomposition, dog remains in trash bags, empty food and water containers, and feces throughout the home. Several dog skulls were found by authorities at the scene. Necropsies reportedly concluded that several dogs died of starvation.

Hannah Wilson, who is a part of the lawsuit, said her dog, Eri, went into Sanders’ care healthy and came out “severely” starved and pregnant. Nov. 16, 2025.

In addition to deaths, plaintiffs allege some dogs were returned severely malnourished, injured, or bred without owners’ consent. Several dogs were never returned and are presumed dead, the lawsuit says. Owners also claim financial losses from veterinary bills, necropsies, boarding fees, lost breeding income, and the loss of service dogs.

Elizabeth Van Erem, the attorney representing the dog owners, told ABC 17 News in a statement:

“I will say on behalf of my clients that there is no amount of money that could ever compensate them for the cruel and barbaric actions of Ms. Sanders, who continues to lack remorse for what she has done. My clients’ lives will never be the same.”

The petition brings multiple claims, including breach of contract, fraud, negligence, conversion, breach of bailment, violations of the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act and negligent infliction of emotional distress. Plaintiffs are seeking actual and punitive damages, attorney’s fees, and other relief, and have requested a jury trial.

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Alison Patton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Department of Transportation met with Boone County stakeholders to discuss what local funding can do to improve Interstate 70 as a lane is added to each side of the highway.

Improve I-70 Program Director Eric Kopinski said the goal of Wednesday’s meeting with Boone County commissioners, Columbia Chamber of Commerce representatives and others was to nail down the beautification aspects of MoDOT’s Rocheport-to-Columbia project. Local contractor Emery Sapp and Sons is leading that project, which is expected to start in the spring.

MoDOT has state funding to construct additional lanes, but would need local funding to update outer roads and add trees or fences.

“You’re going to see that as we start to make improvements this year, and even next year, that this will kind of be branded like Missouri-Columbia part of the corridor,” Kopinski said.

MoDOT’s first project, Columbia to Kingdom City, received funding from the City of Columbia, the University of Missouri and local businesses, Kopinski said.

Kopinski said decisions on how to enhance the highway west of Columbia need to be made within the next two to three weeks.

“We need decisions and also commitments for that funding that we can secure that and begin to move forward because the impacts for this next phase of the project, they’re going to happen very quickly,” Kopinski said.

Kopinski said there will also be a public meeting in early March, before construction on the 14-mile Columbia-to-Rocheport project starts. The project is expected to cost about $441 million, which Kopinski said has already been allocated and can be completed within that amount.

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