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.

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.

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.