Douglas County Mo Sheriff

08/26/2026

During the early morning hours of August 26, 2026, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office Special Response Team served two search warrants in the Goodhope area of Douglas County.
The search warrant revolves around a child abuse case being investigated by Detective Nathan Long.
An arrest warrant was issued for Harold William Petro Jr. age 61 of Ava, for Domestic Assault 1st degree, armed criminal action, abuse or neglect of a child, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon, endangering the welfare of a child 1st degree, and unlawful use of a weapon. Bond was set at $10,000 cash only.
An arrest warrant was issued for Michael Petro, age 39, of Ava, for endangering the welfare of a child, Domestic Assault 2nd degree, abuse and neglect of a child, domestic assault, and abuse and neglect of a child. Bond was set at $25,000, cash only.
Evidence was seized at both residences in connection with the charges.
Sheriff Degase commends the work of Detective Long on this case.

08/26/2026

On August 25, 2026, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to an altercation at the end of FF Highway. Upon arrival, they located Kenneth B. Prock, age 59, of Ava, and established that he had assaulted another male subject. Prock was located sitting in the vehicle of the person he had just assaulted. Inside the vehicle was a .22 magnum rifle, which Prock is prohibited from possessing due to being a convicted felon.

Prock was placed on a 24-hour hold, and a warrant was later issued for Assault 1st Degree and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm. Bond was set at $25,000 cash only.
The case was investigated by Deputy Evans and Lt. Nelson. Sheriff Degase would like to thank Lt. Stroud and Captain Butterworth from the Ava PD for their assistance.

08/25/2026

On August 20, 2026, Lt Nelson made a traffic stop on a vehicle near the North Junction in Ava. The driver of the vehicle, Daniel Young, did not possess a valid driver's license.
Lt. Nelson advised Young that he was under arrest, which resulted in Young resisting arrest. Captain Butterworth of the Ava Police Department arrived on scene and assisted with the arrest of Young.
During the altercation, Lt. Nelson sustained an injury to his bicep. It was later determined after examination that he sustained a partial tear to his bicep.
Young allegedly had a seizure during the altercation and was transported by ambulance.

A warrant was later issued for Young for 2nd degree Felony assault on a special victim, Resisting interfering with arrest, Operate vehicle without a valid license and Refusal to identify as a witness. Young was arrested on his warrant on August 21, 2026, by Sgt. Aaron Box. Youngs bond was set at $25,000 cash only.

08/25/2026

During the early morning hours of August 25, 2026, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office Special Response Team served a search warrant in southern Douglas County near Squires.

Sheriff Degase advised that methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were seized.

Arrested at the time of service were Cory Eugene Goodman and Marlin Andrews, both of Ava.

Upon Sheriff Degase and Deputies approaching the residence, Marlin Andrews opened the door and refused to comply with directives to get on the ground and show his hands. Andrews was removed from the doorway by Sheriff Degase and assisted to the deck of the trailer was he was placed in handcuffs.

A warrant was issued for Cory Eugene Goodman, age 43, of Ava, for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Methamphetamine, and Unlawful Use of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond was set at $15,000 cash only.
Also arrested was Marlin W Andrews, age 68, of Ava, for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Methamphetamine, Unlawful Use of Drug Paraphernalia, and Resisting Arrest. Bond was set at $20,000 cash only.

Sheriff Degase would like to recognize the time and effort put forth by Sgt. Box on this case

08/20/2026

Short notice, but I had some waiting for the CCW class. Class is Saturday, August 29, 2026 at 9 am, at the Squires Volunteer Fire Department.

08/18/2026

It's that time of year again: the Douglas County Coats for Kids Golf Tournament.

We would like to extend our gratitude to all of our sponsors over the last 17 years, which has helped us provide over 2,000 coats to local children in Douglas County.

Be sure to sign up quickly—last year, over 50 teams participated! There are both morning and afternoon brackets available. This is a 2-man scramble with a $100 entry fee per team.

We will be reaching out to our sponsors from last year. If you are new and would like to become a sponsor, please contact the Douglas County Sheriff's Office at 417-250-2320.

You can sign up by contacting the Sheriff's Office or a sign-up sheet will be at the Ava Country Club.

08/14/2026

Cheryl Roberts, age 62, of Antlers, OK, was extradited to Missouri after being arrested in Oklahoma on a Douglas County warrant. The warrant was issued for possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), possession of ma*****na, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

The charges originated in September 2017 when Roberts was booked and subsequently released on these offenses. She and a co-defendant were arrested following a traffic stop, during which methamphetamine, ma*****na, and paraphernalia were seized. A warrant for Roberts' arrest was issued on October 30, 2017.

Roberts had been avoiding apprehension for nine years. Her bond has been set at $10,000, cash only.

08/14/2026

On August 13, 2026, Lt. Nelson and Sgt. Box arrested Landon Wiese, a 23-year-old from Squires, after receiving information that he was texting and attempting to entice a female under the age of 17 to meet for sexual contact.

Lt. Nelson and Sgt. Box apprehended Wiese as he arrived at a predetermined location, believing he was meeting the underage female to engage in sexual in*******se. Instead, he was confronted by deputies.

A warrant was issued for Wiese on the unclassified felony charge of enticement or attempted enticement of a child. Initially, his bond was set at $5,000 cash only; however, after additional information came to light, the bond was amended to NO BOND.

Sheriff Degase would like to thank the Ava PD for their assistance with surveillance on Wiese.

08/09/2026

Great time today at the MOCH. Fingerprinted 150 kids today and had a blast.

08/07/2026