Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney

Dustin Drennan sentenced to Nine Consecutive Life Sentences

Final Sentencing concluded today, June 11, 2026 in the matter of State vs Dustin Drennan. Drennan was found guilty on April 29, 2026 by a Texas County jury of five counts of Statutory So**my in the First Degree, two counts of Statutory R**e in the First Degree, one count of R**e in the First Degree, one count of So**my in the First Degree, and one Count of Child Molestation in the Second degree. The Honorable Zachary Armfield, after hearing statements from the victim and her mother, sentenced Drennan to the maximum possible sentence under the law: fifteen years to Child Molestation in the Second Degree and consecutive life sentences to the remaining nine counts.

Mess*x Pleads Guilty to So**my and Statutory So**my
On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, Wilbert Mess*x, pled guilty to So**my and Statutory So**my in the Circuit Court of Phelps County, Missouri. Honorable Judge Beger presided over the plea hearing. In exchange for the defendant's plea of guilty, he was sentenced to 20 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. Mess*x now must register with the s*x offender registry for the rest of his life.
The Phelps County Prosecutors Office wants to commend the survivors of these awful crimes, for their courage in making statements and having statements read into the record during the hearing.

On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, a Texas County jury found Dustin Drennan, 37, of Rolla, guilty of five counts of Statutory So**my in the First Degree, two counts of Statutory R**e in the First Degree, one count of R**e in the First Degree, one count of So**my in the First Degree, and one Count of Child Molestation in the Second degree. The Honorable Zachary Armfield presided over the trial, which lasted 3 days. The case was prosecuted by Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney, Taylor Banholzer, and Phelps County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Jared Robinson.

From June 2018 to April 2021, Drennan had s*xual contact with his stepchild, starting at age 11. At trial, the victim testified before the jury as to what Drennan had done over the course of their childhood. The Defendant also testified. The jury deliberated for approximately two hours before returning guilty verdicts all ten counts presented to them.

Final sentencing is scheduled for June 3, 2026. At sentencing, Defendant faces up to 9 consecutive life sentences, plus 15 years for the child molestation count.

“This case has been in the works for a long time, due to no fault of the Victim. The Victim absolutely took their life back on the witness stand, that shows in the verdict.” Banholzer said. “Proud does not begin to explain how this office feels about this Victim’s resilience.”

This case was originally investigated by the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department and Children’s Division.

PHELPS COUNTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY'S OFFICE

On Thursday, April 16, 2026, a Pulaski County jury found Patricio Padilla, 47 of Kansas, guilty of Assault in the 1st Degree, Assault in the Second Degree, and two counts of Armed Criminal Action in relation to an incident that occurred at the Saint James Subway restaurant on February 3, 2025 where Padilla stabbed two men after reports that Padilla was harassing a juvenile employee there in. The case was presided over by the Honorable William E Hickle and prosecuted by Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney Taylor Banholzer and Assistant Prosecutor Henry Surkamp.

The jury handed down sentences of five years to Assault in the 1st Degree, one year to Assault in the 2nd Degree, and three years on each Armed Criminal Action charge. Missouri law under Section 571.015, RSMo, requires that convictions of Armed Criminal Action be served consecutive to, and not concurrent with, other sentences and denies parole and conditional release for the term of the sentence.

"We are thankful for the hard work Capt Pigg, Lt Gaddy and other officers of the St. James Police Department put into ensuring a successful prosecution of this tragic incident. This was a traumatic experience for several members of our community and my Office will continue to zealously protect those who have been victimized."

The judge set bond at $150,000 cash or professional surety pending final sentencing on June 22.

JOSEPH SNOW SENTENCED TO TWO LIFE SENTENCES FOR MURDER IN THE SECOND DEGREE AND ASSAULT IN THE FIRST DEGREE

On Tuesday, April 7, 2026, Joseph Snow, 35, was sentenced to Life in Prison for Murder in the second degree and Life in Prison for Assault in the first degree. The Honorable William E. Hickle handed down both life sentences after an extensive sentencing hearing, which took place in two parts. Both Murder in the second degree and Assault in the first degree are Class A felonies and carry the sentencing range of a term of years not less than 10 years and not to exceed 30 years, or life imprisonment.

The Life Sentences were ordered to be served consecutively.

“We are encouraged with the message these sentences send, both to the victims and loved ones for their loss, as well as the community as a whole that this sort of senseless violence will not be tolerated in Phelps County,” said Prosecutor Taylor Banholzer, who prosecuted the case.

The Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney's Office sends its deepest regards and sympathies to the family of Lt Marcus Robison of the Pulaski County Sheriff's Dept. Lt Rob was a vital part of our larger law-enforcement community and his sudden passing is felt heavily by all.

Our office would like to thank local law enforcement for all that they do to keep us safe. Going the extra mile, always answering our calls, and helping keep victims and our community safe can go without thanks far too often.

We thank our law enforcement partners! We could not do what we do without the teamwork from you all!

SHANE MULLINS TO SERVE THREE CONSECUTIVE LIFE SENTENCES

On Tuesday, January 23, 2026, Shane Mullins, 31, of Cuba, was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences in the Missouri Department of Corrections after previously pleading guilty to two counts of statutory so**my in the first degree and one count of statutory r**e in the first degree. The Honorable John D. Beger presided over the plea. Mullins previously pled guilty pursuant to Section 566.125, RSMo, declaring him a predatory s*xual offender.
Mullins was arrested in June of 2024, after investigation by Phelps County Sheriff’s Detectives, ICAC, and Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department.

“It was extremely important to both the Prosecutor’s Office and the detectives on the case that Mr. Mullins spend the rest of his life in prison so that he cannot have the chance to prey on another child” said Phelps County Prosecutor Banholzer, who prosecuted the case. “This is an important conviction for ensuring the safety of our young people.”

At the sentencing hearing in January, Judge Beger set Mr. Mullins’ minimum parole eligibility date for 35 years from the date of the hearing. Mullins will be 66 years old when he becomes parole eligible.

TIOFILO JUAREZ PLED GUILTY TO STATUTORY SO**MY IN THE SECOND DEGREE

On Thursday, February 19, 2026, Tiofilo Juarez, 65, of St. James, pled guilty to Statutory So**my in the second degree. The Honorable William E. Hickle presided over the plea. Due to the date of the incident, Statutory So**my was a Class C felony, carrying a range of punishment from 1 day in jail to 7 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections, and up to a $10,000 fine.
Juarez pled guilty and received a sentence of 7 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections.

PHELPS COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 23, 2025

Phelps County Jury Convicts Vernon Phelps on Multiple Drug Charges Following Ex*****on of a Search Warrant on Defendant’s Residence.

ROLLA, Mo. – A Phelps County jury on Monday, June 9, 2025, found Vernon Eugene Phelps Jr. guilty of three felonies: Delivery of a Controlled Substance and two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance. The Honorable John D. Beger presided over the trial, which was prosecuted by Phelps County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jared Robinson.

The charges stem from the ex*****on of search warrant on June 14, 2022, in Newburg. Detectives from the Rolla Area Drug Enforcement Task Force and other officers applied for and obtained a warrant to search an address in Newburg where Phelps resided. During their search officers located 106 hydrocodone pills, methamphetamine, and amphetamine along with baggies, scales, guns, and cash.

Vernon Eugene Phelps Jr. initially failed to appear for his sentencing but was picked up on a warrant and on December 15, 2025, was sentenced to a total of 22 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections.