Circuit Court Law Day Press Release Oct. 17, 2024

On October 10th, 2024, Circuit Court presided over by Judge Matthew Wilson, concluded with five individuals sentenced to the Missouri Department of Corrections.  The prosecuting attorney, Chelsea Fellinger, secured the following outcomes:

Ethan McChristy, 24, of Lewistown, Missouri pled guilty to one count of assault in the third degree, a class D felony, and one count of resisting arrest, a class E felony. He was sentenced to five years for assault and two years for resisting arrest.  McChristy was arrested on December 23, 2023 for driving while intoxicated in rural La Belle.  At that time he resisted arrest and two deputies sustained minor injuries, including one deputy receiving a broken nose.  Deputy Abigail Lyon and Deputy Mathias Frank are commended for apprehending McChristy at the scene and preventing him from fleeing the scene.  Sergeant Devon Willis and Deputy Jason Slater, who were both off-duty, are also recognized for quickly responding to the scene and assisting with further investigation.  We also appreciate the assistance of the Missouri State Highway Patrol for their quick response as well.  McChristy was also on probation at the time of this incident.  He had previously been arrested for tampering with a motor vehicle by members of the LCSO in 2022.  His probation was revoked and he was sentenced to 7 years.

Timothy Stewart, 28, of La Grange, Missouri pled guilty to one count of domestic assault in the first degree, a class B felony. Stewart was arrested for assaulting his former girlfriend and causing significant injury on December 31, 2023 at the Ramsey Jones Trailer Park near La Grange, Missouri.  Stewart fled the scene and was later apprehended by the Quincy Police Department.  Stewart was sentenced to ten years.  Deputy Toby Moss, Deputy Abigail Lyon and Deputy Mathias Frank investigated this matter and insured the safety of the victim and communicated quickly with surrounding authorities to locate Mr. Stewart.  They are commended for their excellent work.  The MSHP also assisted with this investigation.

Devon Gibson, age 32, of Milan, Missouri, had previously pled guilty to one count of abuse or neglect of a child, a class D felony, and one count of unlawful use of a weapon, a class E felony, in 2020, and received five year's probation. Prosecutor Fellinger had filed a motion to revoke Gibson's probation, alleging he had committed numerous violations of the court's orders.  Judge Wilson revoked Gibson's probation and he was sentenced to seven years for the abuse or neglect of a child and three years for the unlawful use of a weapon.  This case was investigated by members of the LCSO.

Crystal Capps, 45, of Burlington, Iowa, pled to one count of passing a bad check, a class E felony, and was sentenced to four years in DOC. Capps wrote a bad check in the amount of $394 in 2023 to a Lewis County resident.  Capps sentence is to be served concurrently with Butler County, Cape Girardeau County, Bollinger County and Stoddard County sentences.  This matter was investigated by the LCSO and Prosecuting Attorney's office.

Danielle McDonald, 32, of La Grange, Missouri, had previously pled guilty to one count of property damage in the first degree, a class E felony, in 2022. At that time she was placed on five year's probation.   Prosecutor Fellinger had filed a motion to revoke McDonald's probation due to multiple violations.  McDonald surrendered her probation and was sentenced to two years in DOC.  This matter was previously investigated by the La Grange Police Department.