Assault on law enforcement officer, DWI charges filed against Joplin man

(From the Joplin Police Department)

On January 6, 2016, the Newton County Prosecutor has filed the following charges against Jeffery L. Hill:

Assault/Attempt Assault – Law Enforcement Officer,
1st Degree Armed Criminal Action
DWI -Alcohol - Chronic Offender
Driving While Revoked/Suspended (Felony D)

(Hill is still at large after walking away from the hospital where he was being treated after Joplin  Police Officer Seth Lugenbell shot him. Previous Joplin Police updates on the case are printed below.)

Update 
Beginning today, December 10, 2015, Officer Seth Lugenbell and Officer Brett Davis are returned to active duty. The Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) investigation yielded that Officer Lugenbell engaged Hill with his firearm as a result of Hill driving directly at Officer Lugenbell. Officer Davis did not deploy his firearm.

The MSHP investigation determined that the use of force used by Officer Lugenbell was justified. The MSHP will conduct an administrative review of their investigation. There will be a delay before the compilation and availability of the MSHP report.

The internal investigation, conducted by the Joplin Police Department’s Professional Standards Bureau, continues. However, preliminary results of this facet of the investigation yields no reason for the officers to remain on administrative leave and they can return to serving the community.

Update 
On November 30, when officers initially responded to 3330 S. Texas Ave. Apt. 102, at 9:16 PM, Jeffrey L. Hill had broken a window and had been attempting to force his way into the apartment in an attempt to contact Mindy D. Melton-Bauersfeld.

Hill had fled the scene prior to the first arrival. The primary residents of the apartment are Ann and Michael Essig. Ann Essig signed a complaint against Hill for property destruction.

An unsigned complaint for domestic assault was completed by the officer on behalf of Melton-Bauersfeld. At 10:37 p.m., officers again responded in reference to a disturbance. Hill had returned to the apartment and was pounding on the door as well as the previously broken window.

An occupant of the apartment opened the door and asked him to leave and Hill shoved his way inside briefly before Michael Essig was able to push Hill back out. Hill was in the process of fleeing the scene when he then drove his vehicle at the officer.