Crime Archives

Jefferson City man indicted on multiple charges of sex crimes against children

September 14, 2021 9:58 PM Karl Wehmhoener

A Jefferson City man was indicted on multiple charges of attempted enticement of a child and sexual misconduct involving a child under 15.

Fired Jefferson City educator argues file sharing didn’t violate federal law

September 14, 2021 4:30 AM Meghan Drakas

Tammy Ferry, a former tenured instructional technology teacher with the Jefferson City School District, was fired from the district in 2019 after transferring thousands of documents onto her personal Google account.

Wrongful death lawsuit filed in Osage County double homicide

September 13, 2021 1:15 PM Matthew Sanders

The lawsuit filed Friday in Osage County seeks damages for the deaths of Leonard Gerloff, 59, and Pauline Gerloff, 56, who were found dead in July at their Chamois home. Prosecutors charged Warren M. Taylor, 62, with two counts each of first-degree murder and armed criminal action. The Gerloffs were shot to death, according to the lawsuit.

Autopsies ordered after double homicide in Miller County

September 10, 2021 9:02 PM ABC 17 News Team

MILLER COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) Autopsies have been scheduled next week for the victims of a Miller County homicide. On Wednesday, investigators found Pam and Daniel Stephan dead inside their home. Officials say the results of their autopsies might not be available for several weeks. J.T. McLean is suspected in their deaths. Investigators say he stole

The football field at Battle High School

Principal: Battle High School threats not credible

September 10, 2021 4:54 PM Matthew Sanders

“Yesterday we were alerted to a number of rumors going around regarding tonight’s home football game,” Principal Adam Taylor wrote in a letter to parents. “The rumors included a possible safety threat at the event.

Fingerprints, DNA taken from McLean in multi-state death investigation

September 10, 2021 1:12 PM Lucas Geisler

The Sioux City Police Department took the evidence from J.T. McLean’s body on Thursday, according to a search warrant obtained by ABC 17 News. The inventory lists just the fingerprints and DNA swabs.

Jefferson City man admits guilt in shooting cases

September 10, 2021 1:09 PM Zachary Farwell

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A Jefferson City man pleaded guilty earlier this week to charges in five cases, including admitting to a role in two shootings. According to the Cole County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Jaquan Whirley pleaded guilty on Wednesday to felony counts of receiving stolen property, resisting arrest, first-degree assault, second-degree accessory to robbery,

Woman charged in murder-for-hire plot tests positive for THC while out on bond

September 10, 2021 11:19 AM Karl Wehmhoener

A Camden County woman charged in a murder-for-hire plot tested positive for THC while out on bond in August.

South Dakota deputies serve warrants in J.T. McLean case

September 9, 2021 8:16 PM Lucas Geisler

ELK POINT, S.D. (KMIZ) Deputies found a white cord and rubber straps inside the truck a mid-Missouri murder suspect killed himself on Wednesday night. The evidence seized through a search warrant could be used in murder investigations in Boone and Miller counties. Deputies there are looking into the deaths of four people, including Allison Abitz,

Miller County victims connected to homicide suspect by ex-wife

September 9, 2021 5:50 AM ABC 17 News Team

According to the Union County Sheriff’s Office, J.T. McLean, 45, was found in the area near Dakota Dunes late Wednesday night in a vehicle parked at a motel.

Charges dropped after Columbia police arrest three near Waffle House

September 9, 2021 3:36 AM Ben Fein

A large police presence had the northbound lanes of Providence Road blocked off around 2:30 a.m. Thursday morning after one Waffle House employee said he heard multiple gunshots while on his break.

Columbia Municipal Court offers warrant amnesty next week

September 8, 2021 11:26 PM Karl Wehmhoener

The city of Columbia Municipal Court will offer warrant amnesty for individuals who wish to turn themselves into the court from Sept. 13-17.

Boone County Sheriff’s Office looking for motorcycle connected to double homicide suspect

September 8, 2021 4:01 PM Karl Wehmhoener

Boone County Sheriff’s detectives got a tip that JT McLean had recently acquired a dark colored motorcycle and may have used that to leave the area.

Man allegedly involved in Lake Ozark shooting makes first court appearance

September 8, 2021 4:10 AM Ben Fein

Daniel S. Kurtzeborn of Iberia is set to appear at the Miller County Courthouse at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, after being charged with unlawful use of a weapon following the deadly shooting at The Lake of the Ozarks in July.

Woman turns herself in after escaping custody in Randolph County; faces new charges

September 7, 2021 3:26 PM Karl Wehmhoener

Ellen Goble, of Moberly, escaped custody on August 28 from the Randolph County Jail after claiming to be another inmate that set to be released and then forging the inmate signature.

Columbia man charged after allegedly firing gun in Walmart

September 7, 2021 1:11 PM Karl Wehmhoener

Columbia police responded to a report of shots fired Monday at 11 a.m. at a business in the 3000 block of west Broadway.

Columbia woman pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for a Feb. shooting

September 6, 2021 8:55 PM ABC 17 News Team

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A woman pleaded guilty to second-degree murder Friday in a Feb. 2021 shooting. Elizabeth Dye received a 20-year prison sentence in the death of Maya Wootton. Police say Dye was homeless and living in a car, and shot Wootton in the basement of Wootton’s home on Orchard Court Lucas Harper pleaded guilty last

Noncompliant sex offender arrested Saturday after a chase through a bean field in Miller County

September 6, 2021 7:57 PM Karl Wehmhoener

MILLER COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) A Camden County man was arrested off Highway 52 in Saint Elizabeth after a brief police chase on Saturday. A Miller County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a report of vehicle theft. According to a news release, the suspect drove the stolen truck through a bean field and got stuck before running

Patrol: Two arrested on suspicion of drug, gun crimes after Audrain County chase

September 6, 2021 12:02 PM Matthew Sanders

Ismail Muhidin, 20, and Hassan Mohamed, 25, were arrested Friday afternoon after a chase on Highway 54, the Missouri State Highway Patrol said. The chase started when a trooper tried to pull Muhidin and Mohamed over for speeding, the patrol said.

Dozens of shots fired in Plush Lounge parking lot in Columbia

September 4, 2021 2:55 AM Meghan Drakas

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Dozens of shots were fired in the Plush Lounge parking lot in Columbia early Saturday morning. ABC 17 News crews on scene saw at least 25 evidence markers on the ground, five Columbia Police Department cars and one van. Evidence markets in Plush Lounge Parking lot on Sept. 4, 2021 The Columbia