Sedalia Police and Pettis County Sheriff’s Crime Reports: Afternoon of June 25, 2013

The following Sedalia Police and Pettis County Sheriff's crime reports are from the afternoon of June 25, 2013.

Court Case resolution from the office of the Prosecuting Attorney, Jeff Mittelhauser

Matthew L. Cloyd, 29, of Sweet Springs, pleaded guilty to burglary in the first degree, assault in the first degree, armed criminal action and stealing in connection with an incident September 13 near State Fair Boulevard.  The victim awoke to find a stranger in her house.  The intruder threatened her with a knife and stabbed her twice in the arm before she successfully fought him off.

The defendant was arrested the next day.  Sedalia Police investigators found the victim’s blood on clothing at the home where the defendant was staying.  Also, the defendant’s shoes provided a general match to bloody shoeprints at the victim’s home.  A necklace and another item stolen from the victim were found in the defendant’s wallet.  While he initially denied any involvement in the crime, after Sedalia Police Det. Aaron Berry confronted the defendant with the items found in his wallet, he admitted he had been high on methamphetamine and did not recall what he was doing at the time of the offense.

Today’s guilty plea cancelled the trial, set for July 24 through 26 in Cooper County.  The defendant was sentenced to 25 years in prison, and he will be required to serve at least 17 years before he is eligible for parole.

This successful result is a credit to the quality of the Sedalia Police Department’s investigation, which was supported by excellent cooperation from the victim.

Two suspects arrested Monday morning on theft and drug charges

Around 8:30 on Monday morning, the Sedalia police were called to the Hotel State Fair at 3402 West Broadway on a theft complaint. Upon arrival, the complainant and witness told them two suspects had attempted to acquire a room by claiming the Open Door Ministries had agreed to pay for the room. The police report states when the complainant checked with the Open Door Ministries, they were told no one had made that agreement. Officers discovered the suspects during the investigation, identified as 23-year-old Krystal Evans of Sedalia and 37-year-old Gary Barnett of Sweet Springs were in possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia. Both suspects were arrested and transported to the Pettis County jail where they were placed on 24-hour hold pending formal charges.

Pettis County Sheriff’s Deputies take a Sedalia man in custody at Probation & Parole Office

At 9:36 this morning, Pettis County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the Probation and Parole Office at 205 Thompson Road on a subject with an active warrant. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with the suspect, Bradley Mitchell Lawson, and confirmed the warrant. Lawson was taken into custody by the deputies and taken to the Pettis County Jail for booking and processing.

Nelson woman arrested at the county line on a failure to appear warrant Monday night

Just after 11:00 Monday night, Sedalia police were dispatched to the Saline County Line to take into custody of a suspect with a failure to appear warrant out of Sedalia. Upon confirmation of the warrant, officers arrested 43-year-old Cynthia Smithey of Nelson and transported her to the Pettis County Jail pending a cash only bond of $88.50.