Taney County Prosecuting Attorney

04/08/2026

On April 7, 2026, a Taney County jury found Ronald Lee Williams, Jr., guilty of burglary in the second degree from an incident that occurred on August 16, 2024.

The Hollister Police Department was alerted to possible trespassers at a residence in Hollister. Officer Sanderson responded to the residence, but initially did not locate anyone. Later in the shift, he observed a male prying on the door to the residence and going inside. Officer Sanderson made contact with the male, identified as Ronald Lee Williams, Jr., and asked what he was doing there. At that time, Williams claimed to have permission to be at the residence and stated he was staying there. Officer Sanderson made contact with the property owner who denied giving Williams permission to be at or in the residence.

A formal sentencing date has not been scheduled at this time.

03/05/2026

🚨 MISSING JUVENILE 🚨

Name: Ethan Shrock
Age: 16
Height: 6’01”

Last Seen: 02/21/2026
Location: Area of Toni Lane in Branson

Clothing Description:
• Adidas hoodie with white stripes on the sleeves
• Black pants

If you have any information regarding Ethan’s whereabouts, please contact the Taney County Sheriffs Office or your local law enforcement agency immediately or call 911.

Please share to help us find Ethan.

03/04/2026

If you have any information regarding Kaden’s whereabouts, please contact the Branson Police Department or call 911.

🚨 MISSING JUVENILE – PLEASE SHARE 🚨

The Branson Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating Kaden Bowman, a 16-year-old who has been missing since September 21, 2025.

Description:
• Brown hair
• Green eyes
• Approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall
• 195 lbs.

It has been six months since Kaden was last seen, and we are still actively searching for him. We are asking our community to continue keeping an eye out and to share this information.

If you have seen Kaden or have any information about his whereabouts, please contact the Branson Police Department at 417-334-3300 or call 911 immediately.

You may also report anonymously through our Crime Tip Hotline at 417-334-1085 or online at www.bransonmo.gov/crimetip.

02/24/2026

Our hearts are heavy with the tragic loss of Deputies Ramirez and Hislope. Our thoughts are with their friends and family, as well as the other officers who were harmed during this senseless conduct.

02/24/2026

Our hearts are with the friends, family, and loved ones of Deputy Gabriel Ramirez of the Christian County Sheriff’s Office who was killed in the line of duty today. Our area law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to protect the citizens of our communities and we are extremely grateful for each and every one of them.

01/26/2026

Taney County offices, including the Prosecutor’s Office, will be closed on Monday, January 26, due to inclement weather. If you are subpoenaed for a hearing, it will be rescheduled to another date. We hope everyone stays safe and warm!

01/18/2026

On Thursday, January 15, jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict in the case against Miguel Melendez Torres, who was charged in connection with the shooting at Famous Dave’s in Branson on May 29, 2021. As a result, Judge Merrell dismissed the jury and declared a mistrial.

This does not mean that the case is over. The charges are still pending, the defendant remains in custody, and the Taney County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office will continue to pursue justice for the victims and their families.

At this time, a new trial date has not been set.

06/23/2025

As National Law Enforcement Week in Branson comes to an end, the Taney County Prosecutor’s Office extends appreciation and gratitude to all of our local law enforcement agencies. The men and women of each department work tirelessly to ensure that Taney County is a safe place to live and visit. These pictures are from the light parade on Thursday night at the Branson Landing. If you missed it this year, be sure to catch it next year!

04/11/2025

Cold Case Conviction

On March 27, 2025, Tony Wagner was found guilty by a jury of two counts of Assault in the First Degree and one count of Forcible R**e over 32 years after committing the crimes at Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area in Branson.

In August of 1992, two Texas women were on vacation in Branson when they were brutally attacked while hiking at the Henning Conservation Area. Both women were repeatedly struck in the head with a rock. One of the women was able to escape and get help from a passing motorist, and the other was later located by law enforcement using a helicopter.

The Taney County Sheriff’s Office and Missouri State Highway Patrol collaborated to conduct an extensive investigation that included the development and elimination of several suspects. While the case eventually went cold, law enforcement continued to work on the case behind the scenes in hopes of identifying the assailant.

In August of 2022, almost 30 years to the day the attack took place, law enforcement received a new lead that included Tony Wagner. With the assistance of the Fort Scott, Kansas, Police Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol was able to obtain discarded DNA from Wagner. That item was sent to the Highway Patrol Crime Laboratory where it was analyzed and compared to the DNA from the 1992 sexual assault kit collected from one of the victims. Wagner’s DNA matched the DNA profile developed from the sexual assault kit.

The trial began on Monday, March 24, 2025, in Ozark County on a change of venue from Taney County. On Thursday, March 27, after deliberating for 90 minutes, the jury found Tony Wagner guilty of all three counts charged and recommended a sentence of life imprisonment for each conviction.

The case was tried by Taney County Prosecuting Attorney Brad Hughes and Assistant Attorney General Paige Wheeler.

02/19/2025

The Taney County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office will remain closed today, February 19th, due to weather. We hope everyone stays safe and warm!

02/18/2025

The Taney County Judicial Center, including the Taney County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, will be closed today, February 18, due to inclement weather.

01/10/2025

The Taney County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is closed today, January 10, due to inclement weather.