Lincoln County Missouri Prosecuting Attorney

10/09/2025

On October 8th, 2025, Kyle Perkins (36) of Winfield, Missouri plead guilty to Felony Child Abuse in the Circuit Court of Lincoln County. Perkins was sentenced to 10 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for crimes occurring in May of 2023.

Perkins stood accused of jerking a 13 month old baby girl up by the arm and punching her in the face, for crying. The force of the arm jerk and blow to the face were enough to cause fractures in both the upper arm and nose.

Thankfully, as of today, the little girl has made a full recovery from her injuries and parents tell me she is happy and healthy. This case was investigated by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.

04/08/2025

A Lincoln County teen (14), who had been reported missing, has been located in Lebanon, Missouri. Information developed by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office tied the missing child to a Joseph Kunaschk (20), of Springfield, Missouri. Text messages recovered from the phone of the victim established that Kunaschk had lured the child into leaving her home in the middle of the night of April 6th after having met her on an online chat group.

There, he left with the child and drove to Springfield, Missouri where LPR technology flagged the vehicle which was later tracked to a secondary property owned by Kunaschk where the child was then found by Dallas County Deputies in a wooded area. The suspect was located and then taken into custody where he admitted to the alleged criminal behavior.

This office has charged Kunaschk with multiple felonies associated with the event. A no-bond order has been issued and Kunaschk faces up to life in prison if convicted.

Lincoln County Detectives worked diligently to locate the child as swiftly as possible. Because of this, the child was quickly located and found safe. Throughout the day, a team of detectives cooperated alongside prosecutors in my office in order to bring forward charges to prevent Kunaschk’s release.

04/07/2025

Brenda Deutsch of Winfield, Missouri has been taken into custody on three felony counts of neglect, child abuse and child endangering stemming from initial allegations of a missing child that was later located in the State of Texas. Bond has been set at $250,000.00 cash only.

I’d like to thank the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and Detective Bureau for working with my office to expedite initial charges in the middle of what will end up being a lengthy investigation that must cover over a decade’s worth of allegations of abuse. Thank you again for working swiftly to ensure the safety of any other potential child victims.

This matter is ongoing and we expect more charges to follow as information becomes available. Numerous victims and witnesses have already contacted my office and I would encourage anyone else with information to continue reaching out to my office, as well as investigators.

We will continue to post more information as it comes available.

03/31/2025

Monday, March 31st, 2025

My office has been made aware of allegations of decades long systemic physical and emotional child abuse stemming from a Winfield home tied to numerous adoptions. I have asked that all reports be turned over to my office immediately for review. As of this morning, I have spoken with authorities from local law enforcement agencies as well as Children’s Division.

Further, due to the interstate and jurisdictional issues associated with this case, I’ve requested that that Missouri State Technical Assistance Team provide investigative support in this matter.

To the extent that law enforcement or the Juvenile Office is able to articulate facts to establish that the child currently in the home is in immediate danger of physical harm, I’m asking that the child be taken into protective custody.

Additionally, we are currently in contact with forensics investigators in the state of Texas as well as the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services in furtherance of investigative efforts toward allegations of child trafficking. That child is currently safe, in the custody of the State of Texas.

I will make sure my office works as swiftly as it can to ensure the safety of these children and to bring forward a prosecutable case.

02/20/2025

On February 19th, 2025, Christopher Smith of St. Peters, Missouri was sentenced to 20 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. Smith, then 19 years old, stood accused of arriving at a house party of high school aged students with a ski mask and firing a handgun into the Elsberry home, striking at least two individuals, in the summer of 2022. In a negotiated plea with prosecutors, Smith pleaded guilty to assault, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon. Investigative efforts were lead by detectives from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and prosecutorial efforts were lead by First Assistant, Tamma Keim. Victims of this event have worked closely with our office and we are thankful for their assistance and cooperation in our effort to seek Justice. We will continue to pray for an ongoing recovery for those affected by this senseless crime.

02/10/2025

On Monday, February 10th, 2025 in St. Charles County, after a three and a half hour probation revocation hearing, Hailey Zenk, of Lincoln County, was revoked on counts two through five, resulting in 4 counts of 7 years, to be served concurrently, in the Missouri Department of Corrections. Additionally, Judge Fagras issued a new term of probation to begin upon release on count 1, which carries a 10 year sentence should she be revoked. The hearing was skillfully conducted by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Dulany Harms. We’d also thank Mike Roth and to thank EMASS for their testimony in this matter, as well. I hope that this outcome can provide some solace to the families of the victims in what has been such a tragic event.

02/04/2025

UPDATE: 2/4/25 1:00pm- Our office has been in continued contact with Law Enforcement since yesterday’s incident. Preliminary autopsy findings corroborate statements of the shooter. Initial findings show that the shooter was attacked as he was sitting in his vehicle. The door had been opened and the shooting victim was on top of the shooter as he had been pushed backward into the vehicle. Wounds to the shooter, both documented at the time he was brought in for questioning and this morning, are showing consistency with defensive wounds and support the statement that the shooter was being strangled. Further, forensic analysis of blood in the vehicle as well as the trajectory of the bullets and analysis of the wounds tend to show that the victim was shot while he was inside the shooters vehicle and on top of him. Additionally, The vehicle of the shooting victim had been used to block the vehicle of the shooter and signs of urgency seem to have been present since the vehicle of the shooting victim had been left in drive as he ran toward the shooter. We will continue to update the public as we can. The investigation is still ongoing and no final determination has been made.

On February 3rd, 2025 at approximately 12:00pm, reports of a shooting incident during a child custody exchange were responded to by Lincoln County Deputies near the 300 block of South Hwy W. At that time, the shooter was taken into custody without incident for questioning and was later released. Currently, investigators are continuing to work the case to ensure that a thorough investigation is completed. Initial reports, autopsy findings, physical evidence and statements are pointing toward lawful self defense. However, the use of deadly force is often a complicated legal determination depending on a host of factors that have to be considered by prosecutors. The Sheriff’s Office and Coroner are continuing to gather relevant information so that a determination can be made. I want to assure Lincoln County citizens that this was an isolated event and that we have no reason to believe the shooter is a continuing danger to the community.

01/24/2025

Christopher Whitbey, of Troy, who was previously found guilty of 14 counts of statutory so**my after a three day jury trial has been sentenced to 200 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections.

-Mike Wood

12/26/2024

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Detective Sergeant Garrett.

It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office announce the passing of Detective Sergeant Daryl Garrett, who died unexpectedly at his home in the early morning hours of December 25, 2024 due to a medical episode.

Daryl, 55, joined the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office in 2021 after retiring from the St Charles Police Department with 26 years of service between 1994 and 2020. He was quickly promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant and was assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division in 2023. Daryl devoted his life to serving others, consistently putting their needs above his own with a steadfast commitment to making a difference. He proved himself a leader with patience, wisdom, and a genuine desire to guide others towards success. His legacy will live on through those who had the honor of working alongside him.

Please keep his family, his friends and co-workers at the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Rest in Peace, Brother.

Sheriff Rick Harrell

12/18/2024

On Friday, December 13, 2024, the Grand Jury of Lincoln County returned murder and endangering indictments against Shawna Walton, Selena Rodriguez, Gabriel Clark, Dillon Clark, Evan Hausermann and Adam Hausermann for the death of a 49 day old baby girl due to exposure from fentanyl and methamphetamine.

On the morning of December 18, 2024 a coordinated effort with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, St. Louis County Police Department and the United States Marshal’s Service executed early morning raids to apprehend the defendants. Adam Hausermann remains at large and any information leading to his capture should be directed to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Other defendants are currently in the custody of Lincoln County and are being held on a $500,000 cash only Bond.

Recent reports from the Missouri Department of Social Services show that infant deaths due to fentanyl are up 500%. Drug use continues to drive current numbers tied to child abuse and neglect statistics. Information developed from local, state and national law-enforcement agencies have established that knowing fentanyl use amongst teens is rising. The lethality of fentanyl cannot be overstated. The Lincoln County Prosecuting Attorney‘s Office will be moving forward with a zero tolerance policy for drug use around children.

We’d like to thank all of the agencies who worked diligently in cooperation with our investigation and prosecution and a special thank you to the Coroner‘s Office and their team of toxicologists and medical experts who helped to build these cases. We hope to find justice for this innocent child.

12/04/2024

Suspected Mexican cartel member charged with first degree kidnapping, currently held without bond.

Luis Fernando Martinez Gallegos, 27, was charged Monday with first-degree kidnapping. He is being held without bond in the Lincoln County Jail.

11/25/2024

On November 25, 2024, Dustin Pierce of Silex, Missouri was charged with the class A felony of Endanering in the First Degree stemming from an instance of abuse that arose over an argument about the child cleaning their bedroom. A witness to the crime had stated that the child was struck three times in the head, around the temple region, which resulted in severe head trauma and subsequent hospitalization. Medical professionals are currently working with the child in an attempt to regain motor function and to monitor for internal bleeding. We pray for a swift and successful recovery. The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has requested a bond of $500k, cash only. This charge carries a range of punishment from 10 to life.