Belle Police Department

10/13/2026

10/10/2026

BELLE MARSHAL’S OFFICE – INVESTIGATION UPDATE & ADDITIONAL CRIMINAL CHARGES

The Belle Marshal’s Office would like to update the community regarding an ongoing investigation involving Matthew Lee Vaughn of Belle, Missouri.

On October 3, 2026, at approximately 12:00 p.m., a search warrant was executed on a 2003 Chevrolet S-10 pickup at 707 South Taylor Avenue in Belle, Missouri.

Consent was also obtained to search the residence at the same location. During that search, suspected methamphetamine and numerous items of drug paraphernalia were located.

Two separate substances were field-tested and produced presumptive positive results for methamphetamine. Evidence was collected and will be submitted to the Missouri State Crime Laboratory for further testing.

During this investigation, additional information and evidence were obtained concerning three separate domestic assault incidents involving Matthew Lee Vaughn, occurring on April 22, May 6, and July 1, 2026.

The investigation included statements from the reported victim, photographs, and video evidence concerning the alleged incidents.

Based upon the investigation and evidence obtained, I submitted a probable cause statement. Additional charges for Matthew Lee Vaughn are for the following offenses:

Possession of a Controlled Substance – Class D Felony

**Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Class D Misdemeanor.

**Domestic Assault – 2nd Degree – Class D Felony (2 Counts)

Domestic Assault – 3rd Degree – Class E Felony (1 Count)

These charges stem from the drug investigation and three separate reported domestic assault incidents.

The Belle Marshal’s Office remains committed to investigating criminal activity, holding those responsible accountable through the legal process, and protecting the residents of Belle.

All are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

10/08/2026

🚨 BELLE MARSHAL’S OFFICE 🚨

WARRANT ARREST – OCTOBER 8, 2026

On October 8, 2026, at approximately 1317 hours (1:17 p.m.), I, Marshal Jerry Coborn, made contact with Heather Gibson on Alvarado Avenue near Sinks Pharmacy in Belle, Missouri.

Gibson had active warrants for the following charges:

* Tampering with a Motor Vehicle – 1st Degree (Class D Felony)
* Stealing a Motor Vehicle (Class D Felony)
* Resisting/Interfering with Arrest (Class E Felony)
* Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) (Misdemeanor)

Gibson was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Maries County Jail by Officer Taylor.

The Belle Marshal’s Office remains committed to serving and protecting our community while ensuring that individuals with outstanding warrants are held accountable through the judicial process.

Marshal Jerry Coborn
Belle Marshal’s Office
Belle, Missouri

All persons accused of a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

10/03/2026

BELLE MARSHAL’S OFFICE
ASSAULT INVESTIGATION UPDATE

On September 26, 2026, at approximately 8:22 p.m., Officer C. Taylor became involved in an investigation concerning a reported disturbance and alleged domestic assault at Casey’s General Store in Belle.

Written statements were obtained from the reporting party and two witnesses.

Surveillance footage provided by Casey’s Asset Protection was subsequently reviewed. The footage showed portions of the events surrounding the confrontation, but the alleged assault occurred outside the camera’s view. The video could not independently confirm or refute the reported assault.

Following the investigation, a probable-cause statement was submitted requesting an arrest warrant for Gregory Allen Hicks. The court found probable cause and issued a warrant for his arrest on one count of Domestic Assault in the Third Degree, a Class E felony, concerning the September 26 incident.

Hicks was arrested on the warrant this evening at approximately 7:15 p.m. in Belle and transported to the Maries County Jail.

All persons accused of a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Marshal Jerry Coborn
Belle Marshal’s Office

10/03/2026

BELLE MARSHAL’S OFFICE
DOMESTIC ASSAULT INVESTIGATION

On September 29, 2026, the Belle Marshal’s Office received a report of alleged domestic violence involving incidents on September 3, September 7, and September 24, 2026.

The reporting party described physical assaults, including choking, threats against her life, and property damage. Photographs and a video recording were provided as evidence.

Based upon the investigation and evidence obtained, I, Marshal Jerry Coborn, signed a probable-cause statement requesting an arrest warrant for Matthew Lee Vaughn for two counts of Domestic Assault in the Second Degree.

The warrant was issued today, October 2, 2026, and was read to Vaughn while he was incarcerated at the Maries County Jail.

The Belle Marshal’s Office takes reports of domestic violence seriously and remains committed to protecting our community and thoroughly investigating reported crimes.

All persons accused of a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Marshal Jerry Coborn
Belle Marshal’s Office

10/03/2026

BELLE MARSHAL’S OFFICE — ARREST WARRANT

The Belle Marshal’s Office has been very busy this week concerning cases and arrests.

The Belle Marshal’s Office takes reports of harassment, stalking, and unwanted sexual communications seriously.

On September 19, 2026, at approximately 7:20 p.m., Deputy Marshal James Henson responded to a residence on West Third Street in Belle regarding a reported harassment complaint.

During the investigation, the victim reported receiving repeated unwanted sexually explicit messages, photographs, and videos over an approximately two-week period. The victim further reported that after advising the suspect that the contact was unwanted and blocking his primary telephone number, the communications allegedly continued through multiple alternate telephone numbers.

Deputy Marshal Henson reviewed the victim’s cellular device and documented digital evidence related to the reported communications.

Based upon the investigation and evidence obtained, Deputy Marshal Henson submitted a probable cause statement requesting an arrest warrant for Matthew Lee Vaughn for the following alleged offenses:

* Nonconsensual Dissemination of Private Sexual Images
* Stalking in the Second Degree
* Sexual Misconduct in the Second Degree
* Harassment in the First Degree

On September 30, 2026, an arrest warrant was issued for the charges listed above. At approximately 6:00 p.m., Vaughn was placed under arrest. I would like to thank Maries County for assisting with the arrest.

All persons accused of a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Belle Marshal’s Office
Serving the citizens of Belle with integrity, professionalism, and dedication.

09/01/2026

08/25/2026

REMINDER: Today is the first day of school, I want to remind everyone to slow down and stay alert, as our students, parents, teachers and school staff get back in the routines of school activities.

Please be especially aware and mindful of schools zones, reduced speed limits, crossing areas and our school buses loading and unloading.

When school buses are stopped with its warning lights flashing, please remember to stop and give our kids the time and space needed to get on and off the buses safely.

Let’s all do our part to make sure our kids get to school and back home safely every day.