PINEVILLE, Mo. — After a two-day jury trial, the McDonald County jury that found Rogers Benton King III, 47, of Granby Missouri, guilty of two counts of child sex crimes, suggested the court sentence King to 9 years in the Department of Corrections.
PINEVILLE, Mo. — A McDonald County jury convicted Rogers Benton King III, 47, of Granby Missouri, of Child Molestation in the Second Degree and Sexual Misconduct Involving a Child Under 15, following a trial in front of Judge Charles Genisio of the 40th Judicial Circuit.
NEOSHO, Mo. — A Newton County jury has convicted Nathan Marty Ryan, 47, of Chanute, Kansas, of Tampering with a Motor Vehicle following trial in front of Judge Charles Genisio of the 40th Judicial Circuit.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 6, 2026
NEOSHO, Mo. – On Monday, November 17, 2025, Aaron Matthew Whitley, 44, of Neosho, was formally sentenced in the 40th Judicial Circuit by Judge Charles Genisio following his September 2025 jury conviction for Domestic Assault in the First Degree and Armed Criminal Action.
Whitley was sentenced to 15 years for Domestic Assault in the First Degree and 10 years for Armed Criminal Action. These sentences are to be served consecutively, resulting in a total term of 25 years in the Department of Corrections.
This sentencing follows a two-day jury trial in which Whitley was found guilty of violently assaulting a victim in 2025. Evidence presented at trial included eyewitness testimony, police body-camera footage, and statements from responding officers.
“This sentence reflects accountability for a brutal act of domestic violence and brings closure to a survivor who showed extraordinary strength,” said William Lynch, Newton County Prosecuting Attorney. “Our office remains committed to pursuing justice for victims and keeping our community safe.”
The case was investigated by the Newton County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by the Newton County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
NEOSHO, Mo. – A Stark City man has entered a guilty plea to two counts of Statutory Rape in the First Degree, two counts of Statutory Sodomy in the First Degree, and one count of Child Molestation in the First Degree for sexual assaults in relation to three victims in 2024.
Matthew S. Stewart, 32, was sentenced to 20 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections on each count by Judge Kevin Selby of the 40th Judicial Circuit. The plea was entered into under North Carolina v. Alford, meaning the defendant did not admit guilt in committing the crimes but did admit the Prosecuting Attorney has sufficient evidence against him to result in a guilty verdict.
These offenses were discovered when the victims, aged 7, 8 and 10 at the time of the offenses, disclosed to forensic interviewers at the Children’s Center that the defendant had sexual intercourse and deviate sexual intercourse with the two youngest victims and deviate sexual intercourse with the third victim in January of 2024.
“Matthew S. Stewart will be in prison where he belongs for the next two decades. We take these cases very seriously, and always attempt to weigh the continued trauma that the criminal justice system can sometimes inflict on victims with our pursuit of justice and holding these abusers accountable. This particular defendant took advantage of these young victims after grooming them, and while no sentence feels sufficient, we hope this resolution provides closure for these children and their families,” said William Lynch, Newton County Prosecuting Attorney. “We will continue to make an example out of those who harm children in our community.”
This case was investigated by the Newton County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Children’s Center of Southwest Missouri, and prosecuted by Mitchell Cross and William Lynch of the Newton County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
NEOSHO, Mo. – A Colombian national has entered a guilty plea to Burglary in the First Degree, Assault in the Second Degree, and Burglary in the Second Degree for a string of burglaries that occurred on April 19, 2024 on the North side of Neosho.
Edgar Samuel Aldana-Reyes, 22, from Colombia, was sentenced to 12 years on the Burglary in the First Degree, 7 years on the Assault in the Second Degree, and 7 years on the Burglary in the Second Degree by Judge Kevin Selby of the 40th Judicial Circuit. Lesser counts of resisting arrest and Armed Criminal Action were dismissed.
Aldana-Reyes and another individual entered two homes in Neosho on April 19 of last year, stealing designer handbags at the first residence and assaulting a homeowner at the second residence. A home-security alarm alerted the first homeowner who then contacted the police. As law enforcement approached the scene, officers saw the two subjects fleeing the second home involved in the burglary and being chased by the second homeowner, at whom the other individual had brandished a screwdriver as a weapon. They were apprehended shortly thereafter. It is believed that additional involved subjects were able to evade identification and apprehension.
“Edgar Aldana-Reyes will spend substantial time in the Missouri Department of Corrections before being released to United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He is an illegal alien that chose to victimize the wrong community, and today was held accountable for his crimes,” said William Lynch, Newton County Prosecuting Attorney. “I am thankful for the courage of these victims who were patient throughout this process, were bravely willing to face the defendant in court, and worked closely with our victim advocate and myself to ensure justice is served.”
This case was investigated by the Neosho Police Department, Newton County Sheriff’s Office, and prosecuted by William Lynch of the Newton County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Create Your Own Website With Webador