Audrain County Prosecuting Attorney

09/25/2026

Thanks to our community's Mexico United Methodist Church for these comfort bears for our Victim Services area. When kids come to speak with us or our law enforcement partners, they are wanting safety, comfort and help to become kids again. Whether they witness crime, or are a victim of crime, our Victim Advocate, Kara Winterbower, and our team can offer them a bear they can take home with them, something that's just for them to show our community cares.
We appreciate this support from Mexico UMC and our community.

09/09/2026

Back to School time means safety for a lot of Audrain County kids -- they are able to interact with other kids, teachers, coaches and more. It's a great time to remind them about healthy bodies, healthy boundaries, and how to keep themselves safe.
Safe kids start at home - when they are able to talk about their bodies without judgment, fear, and where parents and protectors have the courage to get over what seems uncomfortable and have a conversation that matters to their families and their futures. Our community is safer when kids are safe, respected and respect their bodies and others, too!

It's so important to talk to your children about body safety. We thought we would share some tips.

08/19/2026

An interesting article bringing information to a current issue that's fueling more anger, misunderstanding and online activism.

Good public safety technology should make law enforcement more capable without making constitutional protections less meaningful. The author, a college professor, criminal justice educator and independent party, found Flock ALPR oversight to be robust, safeguarded and accountable.

"[It (the ALPR tool)] gives trained law enforcement professionals an investigative tool while also preserving the necessity for human verification, lawful decision-making, oversight, and accountability."
Marcy Calnan

Automated license plate readers have become part of a much larger national conversation about public safety, privacy, technology, and the proper limits of government. In the abstract, having an opinion is easy.

08/06/2026

Our partners at Child Advocacy Center of Central Missouri could use your help - comfort items for kids at the Child Advocacy Center are always in need. Kids go there to have a safe place to talk about trauma: theirs or what they've witnessed. It's a neutral environment that's also child-friendly. CACCMO's mission is THE CHILD... not the case, the investigation, custody or parents,, it's having a safe place for a child to use their words to talk about their experiences.

Something as simple as a soft, cuddly stuffed animal can bring comfort, security, and hope.

08/04/2026

Our office shares the sorrow, shock and prayers for the family, colleagues and friends of Captain Jeff Moore with the Wellsville Fire Protection District. Jeff was killed in a crash on Interstate 70 this week, and his loss is tragic. Jeff's wife Dori worked for our office for many years.

In Loving Memory of Captain Jeff Moore
1961 – 2026

It is with great sadness that we announce the non-duty related passing of Captain Jeff Moore (DSN 916).

Captain Moore proudly served the Wellsville Fire Protection District (MO) since 1992, dedicating more than three decades of service to protecting our community. His commitment, leadership, and friendship left a lasting impact on the members of our department and the countless lives he touched throughout his career. Captain Moore was also a military veteran.

We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of serving alongside him.

Services are pending with Myers Funeral Home, Wellsville, MO.

***Today (Tuesday), August 4, 2026, at or around 2:30 p.m., we will be escorting Captain Moore from Montgomery through Wellsville. We should be in Wellsville by around 2:40 p.m. We invite our community to join us in paying tribute to Captain Moore by safely lining the procession route (from Schlanker Funeral home to north on Highway 19) beginning around 2:30 p.m. A simple wave, salute, or moment of silence is a meaningful way to honor a firefighter who dedicated so much to others.***

Rest easy, Captain. Your watch is over. We have it from here.

08/03/2026

If you want to make a change - our community's got your back. The Getting Ahead Program changes lives, building community members who can make their lives productive, sustainable and helps build for a successful future. Sometimes, all you need is someone who believes in you and get you a hand up when you need stability. The Mexico Sustainability Project is that place, and now is the time.

Mexico Sustainability Project is taking applications for Getting Ahead Classes starting August 25th.

07/31/2026

This is why MSHP and law enforcement agencies must be prepared for any fight -- these ballistic helmets may seem "militaristic" - but today our State has another Trooper still alive to protect and serve our citizens because they had the right tools for the right situation and brought order to chaos. God Bless our law enforcement officers - and let's make sure they have the funding and support to keep going.

07/20/2026

Audrain County Prosecuting Attorney Jacob Shellabarger announces that Demontrez Watson, 20, of Mexico, Mo., pleaded guilty to the felonies of R**e in the First Degree, R**e in the Second Degree, and two counts of So**my in the Second Degree for incidents with two separate female victims. The incidents occurred in Mexico in May and October of 2020. Watson received a total sentence of ten (10) years in the Missouri Department of Corrections, with ten years on the forcible r**e and seven years on each of the other three counts. Senior Judge David Ash sentenced Watson at a pretrial conference July 17 at the Audrain County Courthouse in Mexico. In the May 2020 incident, Watson had sexual in*******se with Victim One by forcible compulsion. In the October 2020 incident, Watson, then 15, r**ed and sodomized Victim Two.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Shelby Park was preparing to try the case to an Audrain County jury starting July 27.
-- See the below press release for more information --

07/13/2026

The future for agriculture and our youth is what we support with our time, our labor and our resources. 4-H and FFA support learning by doing, a growth mindset, and encourage positive community and personal development. Support our local youth!

06/11/2026

Regarding State vs. Stephen Welch: Although the case occurred in Mexico in Audrain County, our office has no involvement with the case. KXEO radio and social media post stated that I cannot comment as to why the case was dismissed is accurate. However, the story lacks context. I cannot comment because it was no longer this office's case to prosecute. The Boone County Prosecuting Attorney's Office was appointed as Special Prosecuting Attorney in the case after our office requested a Special Prosecutor.
https://www.facebook.com/1340KXEO/posts/pfbid0ofuC4fkDFpniXzgAKxMA8xWFK7N1vdXqEPhYauAb4DDVh8n5Ge2cA4nefboBoB5Ml

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