Callaway County Sheriff's Office

06/11/2026

On June 1, 2026, the Callaway County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a s*xual assault involving a juvenile child. During the investigation, James D. Courtney, 63, of Fulton, Missouri, a registered s*x offender, was identified as the suspect.

On June 4, 2026, Courtney was located and transported to the Callaway County Sheriff’s Office, where he was interviewed by investigators. Following the interview, Courtney was arrested and transported to the Callaway County Jail.

The Callaway County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office formally charged Courtney with Statutory So**my in the First Degree – Aggravated S*xual Offense. Courtney remains in custody at the Callaway County Jail on a court-ordered no-bond hold.

Due to the nature of this investigation, no further information will be released at this time.

The Callaway County Sheriff’s Office, along with our law enforcement partners, remains committed to protecting victims, pursuing offenders, and ensuring accountability for crimes committed within our community.

These charges are merely allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

06/09/2026

Holts Summit Man Charged Following Burglary Investigation and Drug Arrest

On June 2, 2026, the Callaway County Sheriff's Office investigated a residential burglary at a residence near County Road 4014 northwest of Tebbetts, Missouri. The investigation revealed copper wiring had been cut and removed from a residence that was under construction. The estimated value of the stolen copper and resulting property damage exceeds $7,000.

During the investigation, deputies identified the suspect as Joshua Temmen, 34, of Holts Summit.

On June 6, 2026, deputies conducted a traffic stop involving Temmen on US Highway 63 outside of Jefferson City (Callaway County). During the investigation, deputies located approximately 77 grams of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, suspected stolen property, and burglary tools. Temmen was arrested and transported to the Callaway County Sheriff's Office for further investigation regarding the burglary.

The Callaway County Prosecuting Attorney's Office formally charged Temmen with:

* Trafficking Drugs in the Second Degree
* Tampering with Physical Evidence in a Felony Prosecution
* Possession of Burglar's Tools
* (2) counts Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
* (3) counts Receiving Stolen Property
* Burglary in the Second Degree
* Property Damage in the First Degree
* Stealing

According to court records, prosecutors have also alleged that Temmen is a prior and persistent offender. The charging documents state that Temmen has previous felony convictions for burglary-related offenses in both Callaway County and Cole County, including convictions in 2014, 2020, and 2024.

On June 9, 2026 Temmen was transported back to the custody of Department of Corrections after a Parole Detainer was issued.

A special shout out to MUSTANG Drug Task force for their assistance in this investigation.

The Callaway County Sheriff's Office appreciates the efforts of all deputies and investigators involved in this case. The Sheriff's Office, along with its law enforcement partners, will continue working to hold offenders accountable and protect victims of crime in our community.

These charges are allegations. Temmen is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Citizens may anonymously report criminal activity to Callaway County CrimeStoppers by visiting http://www.callawaysheriff.org/crime-stoppers or by calling (573) 592-2474.

06/05/2026

On June 4, 2026, at approximately 7:28 PM, a Callaway County Sheriff's Office deputy attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic-related offense on State Road E near County Road 271. The vehicle failed to stop and traveled on various county and state roads while being pursued by deputies.

At approximately 7:37 PM, the vehicle came to a stop in the 5600 block of State Road E in the front yard of a residence. The driver and sole occupant, later identified as Joseph G. Fennewald, fled into a residence and then emerged a short time later carrying a rifle before fleeing into a nearby wooded area. No shots were fired by law enforcement.

Deputies, along with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, established a perimeter around the area while awaiting additional personnel and armored vehicles. At approximately 7:49 PM, officers heard a single gunshot from within the wooded area.

During the incident, deputies became aware of mental health concerns involving Fennewald. Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) trained personnel, along with negotiators from the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Callaway County Sheriff's Office, attempted to establish contact with Fennewald but were unsuccessful.

After the arrival of armored vehicles from the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Callaway County Sheriff's Office, as well as air support from the Callaway County Sheriff's Office, Missouri State Highway Patrol, and Boone County Sheriff's Office - MO, Fennewald was located in the wooded area using FLIR technology. At approximately 11:17 PM, Fennewald was found deceased.

The investigation remains ongoing.

The Callaway County Sheriff's Office appreciates the assistance provided by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Boone County Sheriff's Office, and other responding agencies.

Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Mr. Fennewald during this difficult time. This was not the outcome anyone had hoped for.

06/05/2026

UPDATE 11:32 PM:

The suspect was located and the situation has been resolved.

There is no threat to the community.

UPDATE:

Suspect is believed to be Joseph G Fennewald known as Grant. Search is ongoing. Please avoid the area at this time.

🚨 ACTIVE SEARCH- State Road E east of County Road 245🚨

The Callaway County Sheriff’s Office is actively searching for an armed male suspect who fled on foot after a traffic stop with a rifle after which a shot was heard.

Deputies have deployed K9 units, a drone and other resources to assist with the search.

Residents near the area are asked to lock their vehicles, secure valuables and report any suspicious actively or persons immediately to Callaway County Joint Communications at 573-642-7291.

Updates will be provided as information.

06/03/2026

On June 2, 2026, 24-year-old Memphis Dils of Huber Heights, OH was sentenced in Callaway County Circuit Court to a total of 25 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections.

Dils was convicted of three counts of Statutory So**my in the Second Degree, one count of Possession of Child Po*******hy, and one count of Attempted S*xual Exploitation of a Minor.

As part of the sentence, the court ordered that the sentences for the statutory so**my convictions be served consecutively. Additional sentences related to the child po*******hy and attempted s*xual exploitation convictions were ordered to run concurrently with each other and consecutively to the statutory so**my convictions, resulting in a total sentence of 25 years.

The court also ordered that Dils be placed on Missouri's S*x Offender Registry as a Tier III offender.

The investigation began in October 2024 after allegations were reported to the Callaway County Sheriff's Office involving female victims, who at the time of the assault were under 15 years old . During the investigation, an investigator assigned to the Domestic Violence / S*xual Assault division investigators obtained statements, digital evidence, and admissions that led to the filing of criminal charges.

The Callaway County Sheriff's Office employs 2 full-time Domestic Violence and S*xual Assault investigators which are 75% paid via grant funds (STOP - Violence Against Women Act) and the rest paid out of Sheriff's Office / Callaway County (tax payers) funds. These investigations conducted by this unit are often time extensive and require a great detail of follow-up, interviews and evidence processing. More information about the VAWA grant can be obtained online (https://dps.mo.gov/dir/programs/cvsu/stopvawa-cont.php)

The Callaway County Sheriff's Office would like to thank the Callaway County Prosecuting Attorney's Office and all individuals involved in the investigation and prosecution of this case.

05/27/2026

Between April 26, 2026 and March 21, 2026 the Callaway County Sheriff’s Office investigated reported burglaries at two locations on County Road 311 outside of Fulton. During the investigations multiple items, including tractors, were stolen from the properties.

During the investigations deputies identified Matthew Smith, 43, of Fulton, Missouri, as being involved in the burglaries.

On May 22, 2026, deputies located Smith and recovered two stolen tractors. Smith was arrested and transported to the Callaway County Jail.

On May 23, 2026, the Callaway County Prosecuting Attorney formally charged Smith with the following offenses:

Stealing a Motor Vehicle (3) counts
Burglary 2nd Degree (2) counts

Smith remains in custody at the Callaway County Jail on a no bond status.

The Callaway County Sheriff’s Office, along with other law enforcement agencies, will continue working together to hold offenders accountable and protect victims of crimes in our community.

These charges are allegations. Smith is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Citizens may anonymously report criminal activity to Callaway County CrimeStoppers (https://www.callawaysheriff.org/crime-stoppers) or by calling 573-592-2474.

05/24/2026

On May 22, 2026 at approximately 8:40 PM the Callaway County Sheriff's Office conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle near the 143 mile marker on I-70. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Davon Bryant, 24, of Auxvasse MO. During the stop, deputies along with MUSTANG Task Force Officers, located drugs, a gun and drug paraphernalia. Bryant was arrested and transported to the Callaway County Jail.

The Callaway County Prosecuting Attorney formally charged Bryant with the following charges on Bryant:
- Trafficking drugs 2nd degree
- Unlawful use of a weapon- possess weapon and a felony-controlled substance
- Unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

Bryant remains in the custody of the Callaway County Jail with a no bond.

The Callaway County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to combating drug-related crimes and protecting public safety. The Sheriff’s Office continues to work collaboratively with other law enforcement agencies and community partners throughout the region.

Citizens may anonymously report criminal activity to Callaway County CrimeStoppers at 573-592-2474 or online at
www.callawaysheriff.org.

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

05/23/2026

On March 8, 2026, the Callaway County Sheriff's Office received a report of a s*x assault involving a juvenile. During the investigation, Callaway County Investigations Team identified Phillip C. Likes, 29, of Fulton, as the suspect in the case.

On May 22, 2026, Likes was arrested and interviewed. The Callaway County Prosecuting Attorney office formally filed the following charges:

Two counts of Statutory R**e person less than 14 years old
Statutory So**my person than 14 years old
S*xual Misconduct involving a child under 15 years old
Child molestation 1st degree

Likes remains in custody of the Callaway County Jail with a no bond.

Due to the nature of this investigation, no further information will be released at this time.

The Callaway County Sheriff’s Office will continue working together to hold offenders accountable and protect victims of crime within our community.

These charges are allegations. Likes is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

05/22/2026

On April 9, 2026, the Callaway County Sheriff’s Office received information regarding a hotline report from the Children’s Division involving a juvenile female. During the investigation, the Callaway County Investigations Team identified Paul R. Winkler, 61, of Fulton, as the suspect in the case. Winkler was located on May 18, 2026, arrested, and interviewed by the Callaway County Sheriff’s Office.

On May 19, 2026, the Callaway County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office formally charged Winkler with Child Molestation in the First Degree and Enticement of a Child Less Than 15 Years of Age. Winkler remains in custody at the Callaway County Jail on a court-issued no-bond hold.

Due to the nature of this investigation, no further information will be released at this time.

The Callaway County Sheriff’s Office, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue working together to hold offenders accountable and protect victims of crime within our community.

These charges are allegations. Winkler is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

05/13/2026