For Immediate Release
August 7, 2026
Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson announced the following case outcomes and newly filed charges from the past week:
Convictions and Sentencings
Robert Spears – Sentenced on July 29 to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to Accessory-2nd Degree Murder, Armed Criminal Action, and Accessory-1st Degree Assault.
Curtis Long – Sentenced on July 30 to 25 years in prison for 1st Degree Robbery and 1st Degree Assault in connection to an assault that occurred near Penn Valley Park.
Cyvauodis Brewer – SAVE KC individual sentenced on July 30 to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Armed Criminal Action following a high-speed chase and shooting involving Sugar Creek police.
La’Relle Dennis – Sentenced on Aug. 3 to 17 years in prison after pleading guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter and Armed Criminal Action.
Michael Hill – Sentenced on Aug. 6 to eight years in prison for role in burglary ring.
Newly Filed Charges*
The Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office filed charges against 73 individuals over the past week, including the following:
Matthew Rogers – Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Armed Criminal Action, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
Antwon Shirley – 2nd Degree Murder, Armed Criminal Action, 1st Degree Burglary, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, and two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
Sandy Fulton – 1st Degree Assault, two counts of Armed Criminal Action, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon.
*Charges are only accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until the defendants are either found guilty or plead guilty.