Neosho man pleads guilty to stealing $4.9 million from Joplin firm

(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)

Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Neosho, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to stealing more than $4.9 million from his employer.

David VanWinkle, 60, of Neosho, waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to wire fraud, money laundering and failure to pay taxes.

VanWinkle was the comptroller for Frontier Leasing Incorporated (FLI) in Joplin, Mo. By pleading guilty today, VanWinkle admitted that he stole $4,911,621 from FLI between June 2008 and December 2013, which he spent on personal expenses and gambling.

Based on a report from a financial institution, federal agents began investigating unusual deposits VanWinkle made into his business accounts for two businesses, VanWinkle Accounting and VanWinkle Farms.

VanWinkle, acting as the comptroller for FLI, received payments from FLI’s customers in the form of checks. VanWinkle deposited some of those checks into FLI’s legitimate business accounts, but deposited other checks into another checking account under the name of FLI that VanWinkle had opened at another bank. VanWinkle was the sole person on this secret account; no one else was aware that FLI had the account and VanWinkle was not authorized to open an account or deposit any of FLI’s customer payment checks into the account.

VanWinkle admitted that he withdrew money from the secret bank account to deposit into his business accounts. The embezzled money was then spent on VanWinkle’s personal and gambling expenses.

According to the indictment, VanWinkle failed to report the embezzled funds from FLI on his personal income tax returns he filed with the Internal Revenue Service for the years 2008, 2009 and 2010. VanWinkle did not file income tax returns for the years 2011 and 2012, the indictment says, and therefore did not report the embezzled funds during these years, either.

In addition, VanWinkle was responsible for collecting payroll taxes for FLI and paying over those payroll taxes to the IRS. VanWinkle withheld those taxes but failed to turn them over to the IRS. VanWinkle admitted that he collected, but failed to pay over, a total of $435,896 in federal tax, Social Security and FICA withheld from FLI employees’ paychecks.

Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, VanWinkle must forfeit to the government $4,911,621, a 2013 Holland tractor, a 2007 Hummer H3, a 2012 John Deere no-till seed drill, and $28,086 that was seized from various bank accounts.

Under federal statutes, VanWinkle is subject to a sentence of up to 30 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $750,000. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation.

Statewide tornado drill moved to Thursday

(From the City of Joplin)

The annual statewide tornado drill, originally set for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, is now rescheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 6. This tornado drill will be observed by the City of Joplin by sounding the warning sirens for a full three minutes, the same amount that would occur in an actual warning.

In addition, the City of Joplin will also test its text notification system that is part of the City’s website. For those who have signed up for this notification, you should receive a text regarding this drill. If you have not signed up yet for this mobile application, please visit the City’s website at www.joplinmo.org and go to the Notify Me section to complete the information requested. This notification system is directly through the Joplin/Jasper County Emergency Management Agency.

While visiting the Notify Me section of the website, City officials also encourage visitors to sign up for other notifications that are sent via email and/or text. These include postings related to upcoming events, programs, service

In addition to the City’s procedures during the drill, the National Weather Service and the State Emergency Management Agency will be conducting their tests using various news mediums and alert systems. . The NWS will kick off the drill with a Tornado Warning which is plainly marked as a test. This test will cause NOAA Weather Radios to activate.

As this drill kicks off the 2014 Severe Weather Awareness Week, observed from March 3-7, Keith Stammer, Emergency Management Director, encourages everyone to be proactive and prepare for weather safety. Preparing today may make the difference in surviving the storms to come this spring. He also encourages people to seek appropriate notification system and reminds the public about the warning sirens’ purpose.

“The sirens provide a warning for anyone who is out of doors to go indoors, if possible, and take shelter,” he said. “People indoors cannot always expect to hear the outdoor warning sirens.”
Stammer will join Fire Chief Mitch Randles in making a presentation to the City Council at its Monday, March 3 meeting. The presentation, focusing on the City’s policies related to storm warning procedures, will be at the top of the meeting that begins at 6 p.m. Residents are welcome to attend the meeting or can watch the presentation on KGCS-TV.

Stammer encourages residents to utilize a NOAA Weather Radio that provides a warning signal when the area is under a watch or a warning. “The advantage of having a weather radio is that you hear the alerts directly from the National Weather Service, and are kept current of the warning status.” Weather radios are available at local retailers and are priced at approximately $30.

For severe weather tips, including information on NOAA Weather Radio, please visit http://www.crh.noaa.gov/sgf/?n=severeweatherawareness. For information on Joplin’s siren activation policy, please visit http://www.joplinmo.org/index.aspx?nid=589.

For further information on the tornado drill, contact Stammer at 417-624-0820, ext. 260.

Joplin Police make seven DWI arrests over weekend

The Joplin Police Department made seven DWI arrests over the weekend:

James M, Kellhofer, 38, Joplin
Travis Joe Adams, 43, Joplin
Edgar Mendoza Cruz, 27, Rio Grande City, Texas
Anthony Scott White, 29, Austin, Texas
Zachary Chase Brown, 21, Joplin
Dylan Lee Allison, 22, Joplin
Koshom E. Parham, 35, Joplin

Joplin woman injured in one-car accident

A Joplin woman suffered minor injuries in a one-car accident 3:45 p.m. today on Apricot Road, three miles west of Joplin.

According to the Highway Patrol report, Susan R. Jones, 51, was westbound in a 2004 Chevrolet Impala when she ran off the left side of the roadway and struck a ditch.

She was treated at Freeman West.

Neosho teen killed in accident caused by icy roads

A Neosho teen was killed in a one-car accident  11 p.m. Saturday one-tenth of a mile north of Neosho on I-49, according to the Missouri  Highway Patrol.

Cerea Reed, 13, was pronounced dead at 12:05 a.m. today at Freeman West.

The accident occurred when Daniel A Craig, 32, Goodman, northbound in a 2003 Ford Explorer, lost control on the slick road, started sliding, ran off the road and overturned, according to the Highway Patrol report.

Craig and the other passengers in the vehicle, Abigail Lester, 14, Neosho, and Jennifer Lester, 36, Neosho, all received serious injuries and were taken to Freeman West.

Agenda provided for March 3 Joplin City Council meeting

 1.     Call to Order

            Invocation

            Pledge of Allegiance                    

2.                  Roll Call

3.                  Presentations

            1. Proclamation for Joplin NEA – Cat in the Hat Read Across America Day. Crystal         Stokes and students will receive the proclamation.          

            2. Proclamation proclaiming March 12, 2014 as St. Baldrick’s Foundation Day. The

            St. Baldrick Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most         promising research to find cures for childhood cancer.  Brittany Lampe, Vice President of  MSSU Student Senate, and other members of the Student Senate, will receive the          proclamation.

            3. Presentation on Severe Weather Preparedness, and a progress update on the storm         warning system, presented by Fire Chief Mitch Randles and Emergency Management             Director, Keith Stammer.       

                       

            4. Oscar Arras will make a presentation on behalf of a National League of Cities program              that would offer a water and sewer lateral line protection/warranty for residents who may face             future issues with their water or sewer lines located on private property.

2.                  Finalization of Consent Agenda

3.                  Reports and Communications

4.                  Citizen Requests and Petitions 

1. Mr. Kim Seavy, 1607 Byers Ave., Joplin, 64804, would like to address Council regarding the council investigation and the firing of the city manager.

5.                  Public Hearings

PUBLIC HEARING PROCEDURES

1. COUNCIL BILL NO.  2014-252 - AN ORDINANCE amending Ordinance No. 2004-256, passed by the Council of the City of Joplin, Missouri, November 15, 2004, by removing from District R-3 and including in District R-4 property as described below and located in the 2800 block of South Adele Avenue in the City of Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri. (Requested by Joplin Villa’s LLC. Planning and Zoning recommended approval).2. COUNCIL BILL NO. 2014-253 - AN ORDINANCE providing for the vacation of the remaining portion of a 20-foot wide public alley between South Main Street and South Joplin Avenue beginning at the south right-of-way line of 30^th Street south 150 feet in the City of Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri. (Requested by Kyle Denham. Planning and Zoning recommended approval).

3. COUNCIL BILL NO.  2014-254 - AN ORDINANCE amending Ordinance No. 2004-256, passed by the Council of the City of Joplin, Missouri, November 15, 2004, by removing from District C-1 and including in District C-3 property as described below and located at 2927 East 11^th Street in the City of Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri. (Requested by Geary W. Williams. Planning and Zoning recommended approval).

2.                  Consent Agenda

1. Minutes of the February 18, 2014 Council meeting

2. COUNCIL BILL NO. 2014-008 - AN ORDINANCE amending Sec. 10-43. Review of application of Article II., Licenses of Chapter 10 Alcoholic Beverages of the Charter of the City of Joplin, Missouri to allow an applicant to more effectively coordinate with the licensing process of the state of Missouri.

3. COUNCIL BILL NO. 2014-110 – AN ORDINANCE approving the contract between the City of Joplin, Missouri and the City of Duenweg, Missouri, through their duly authorized representatives, for reimbursement from City of Duenweg, Missouri to city of Joplin, Missouri for Metro Area PublicTransit system (MAPS) providing bus rides and transportation to city of Duenweg, Missouri residents.

4. COUNCIL BILL NO. 2014-255 - AN ORDINANCE requesting to Review the Final Plat for TWIN HILLS SUBDIVISION PLAT 1 located at the northeast corner of 26^th Street and Country Club Drive in the City of Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri.

2.                  Resolutions

3.                  Ordinances – Emergency

1. COUNCIL BILL NO. 2014-105 - AN ORDINANCE approving a agreement for GLMV Architecture Inc. for Three Hundred Twenty Three Thousand Nine Hundred Sixty Four and no/100 Dollars ($323,964.00) for Architectural and Design Services for the Police and Fire Training Facility and containing an emergency clause.

2. COUNCIL BILL NO.2014–112 -AN ORDINANCE approving the contract by and between the City of Joplin and JRB industries for the demolition of the structure(s) and clearing of lot area located at 209 E. 16^TH ST. in the City of Joplin, Missouri, for the amount of Two Thousand One Hundred Fifty and 00/100 Dollar   ($2,150.00); providing how the cost thereof shall be paid; how the assessment thereof shall be made; and containing an emergency clause.

3. COUNCIL BILL NO.  2014-503 - AN ORDINANCE approving an Agreement by and between the City of Joplin and Jasper County, Missouri to provide for the collection of City of Joplin real property taxes through the County real estate property tax bills; authorizing the City Manager to execute said Agreement by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; and containing an emergency clause.   

11.    Ordinances – First Reading

1. COUNCIL BILL NO. 2014-113-AN ORDINANCE approving a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) (jointly called “Trustees”), Missouri Prairie Foundation (“MPF”), and the City Of Joplin (“Joplin”).  The Trustees enter into this MOU in recognition of their common interests in a parcel of land within the City of Joplin, Missouri. It is the intent of all parties to restore this area for the benefit of the public and wildlife, and to do so by working efficiently among the partners.

12.    Ordinances – Second Reading and Third Reading

13.    Unfinished Business

    

14.    New Business

  

Highway Patrol arrests Texas man for DWI, seven other charges

The Missouri Highway Patrol arrested a Texas man on driving while intoxicated (drugs) and seven other charges during a stop at 6 p.m. Friday in Jasper County, according to the trooper's report.

Alec A. Carr, Saginaw, Texas, is charged with the following crimes:

-Possession of drug paraphernalia
-Possession of less than 35 grams or marijuana
-Possession of K2
-Driving while intoxicated (drugs)
-No seatbelt
-Speeding
-Felony Possession with intent to distribute
8. Felony destruction of evidence