Ripley County Prosecuting Attorney's Office

05/29/2026

05/25/2026

Today, the Ripley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office honors and remembers the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.

Memorial Day is more than a long weekend or the beginning of summer, it is a solemn reminder of the cost of the freedoms we enjoy each day. We recognize those who gave their lives defending our country, our Constitution, and the values of justice and liberty.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the fallen heroes and to the families who continue to carry their memory forward. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.

From all of us at the Ripley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, we wish everyone a safe and meaningful Memorial Day.

05/12/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DONIPHAN MAN SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS FOR STATUTORY SO**MY IN THE SECOND DEGREE

DONIPHAN, MO. – Ripley County Prosecuting Attorney, Matt Michel, announces that on May 7, 2026, Derek Hopkins, 37, of Doniphan, Missouri was sentenced to 6 years to serve in the Missouri Department of Corrections after being found guilty of Statutory So**my in the Second Degree on March 27, 2026.

According to the Ripley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the defendant, after transferring the venue to the Circuit Court of New Madrid County, plead guilty to the class D felony of Statutory So**my in the Second Degree, involving a child under the age of 14 years, which occurred between January 26, 2023 in which the defendant touched the female child’s breasts.

During the sentencing hearing, the Honorable Circuit Judge Joshua Underwood listened to the emotional statement of the juvenile victim. After hearing arguments from the prosecution and the defense and taking into consideration information contained within the Sentencing Assessment Report (SAR) prepared by Probation and Parole, Judge Underwood sentenced Hopkins to 6 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. The range of punishment under Missouri’s statutes for Statutory So**my in the Second Degree is a term of years not less than 1 year and not to exceed 7 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections.

Michel wanted to thank all of the members of our multidisciplinary team for making this prosecution successful. Without the continued, stellar, work of our KVC forensic interviewers, Deputy Chad Keathely, the juvenile office, and Children Service Worker III, Ashley Amaro, the prosecution of Derek Hopkins may not have been so effective. During this case, the team worked closely to obtain all available evidence and provide continued support for the juvenile during a time when the juvenile’s mother, Tracy Boggs-Hopkins was attempting to coerce the juvenile into changing her statements in order to aid Derek Hopkins’ defense. Thanks to the efforts of our team, Tracy Boggs-Hopkins plead guilty to the class D felony of Tampering with a Victim in a Felony Prosecution on February 5, 2024.

Matthew P. Michel
Prosecuting Attorney
Ripley County, Missouri

05/01/2026

Last night, the Missouri State Capitol was lit teal in honor of Denim Day and Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Governor Mike Kehoe also recognized the two awareness events in a proclamation. “Sexual assault has a profound and lasting impact on individuals, families, and communities. Missouri stands with survivors,” said Governor Kehoe. “By recognizing Sexual Assault Awareness Month and participating in Denim Day, we reaffirm our responsibility to promote safety, support victims, and work toward a future free from sexual violence.”

Read the Proclamation:
https://governor.mo.gov/press-releases/archive/governor-kehoe-recognizes-sexual-assault-awareness-month-and-denim-day

We are grateful for the Governor's actions and the participation in Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Denim Day across the state.

05/01/2026

Through the first three months of 2026, your support is already making a powerful impact.

💙 434 children received forensic services: 351 at our Springfield Center & 83 at our West Plains Center
💚 442 trainings were delivered
🩵 7,890 adults & students were trained in prevention & provided tools to better recognize abuse

Every number represents a child, a family, and a community taking steps toward safety and healing. Thank you for helping us continue this critical work.
Learn more: CACozarks.org/learn

04/30/2026

Documenting patterns and instances of dating abuse in all its forms can be an important step for some survivors. It may help preserve information for legal purposes, while also providing clarity and validation when processing complex experiences.

Approaches to documentation can look different for everyone, and should always prioritize personal safety. Explore ways to document abuse and access additional resources: https://bit.ly/3YTgXyXhttps://bit.ly/3YTgXyX

04/25/2026

As National Crime Victims’ Rights Week comes to a close, we want to leave our community with an important reminder: domestic abuse is not always physical.

Abuse can take many forms like emotional, psychological, financial, and verbal. It can look like manipulation, isolation from friends and family, constant criticism, threats, control over finances, or monitoring someone’s every move. These behaviors are just as real and just as harmful as physical violence.

Too often, victims question themselves because there are no visible bruises. But control, fear, and intimidation leave lasting impacts that cannot always be seen.

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, know that you are not alone, and help is available. Speaking up is not easy but it is powerful.

As this week ends, our commitment does not. We will continue to stand with victims, advocate for their rights, and work toward a safer community for all.

Abuse can take many forms, including emotional, financial, digital, and psychological — all rooted in patterns of power and control. Increasing awareness of these behaviors is essential to breaking stigma and supporting survivors.

By expanding our understanding of what abuse can look like and what healthy relationships should feel like, we can better support individuals and create safer communities.

Learn more: https://www.thehotline.org/identify-abuse/domestic-abuse-warning-signs/

04/22/2026

Scam text messages are on the rise and they’re getting more convincing every day.

Scammers often pose as banks, delivery services, government agencies, or even people you know. Their goal is simple: create urgency so you act before you think. Messages may claim there’s a problem with your account, a missed delivery, or even legal trouble if you don’t respond immediately.

Protect yourself and your family: • Don’t click links from unknown or suspicious texts
• Never share personal or financial information by text
• Verify directly with the company using official contact information
• Be cautious of messages that pressure you to act quickly

Remember: legitimate organizations will not ask for sensitive information through unsolicited text messages.

If you receive a suspicious message, report it as spam and delete it. A few seconds of caution can prevent serious financial and personal harm.

Stay alert. Stay informed.