~Developing~Christian County Authorities Investigating Human Remains Found Behind Clever High School:

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Jeffrey Pinegar has been missing since he allegedly robbed Family Pharmacy in April

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Authorities in Christian County have opened a suspicious death investigation after human remains were found by someone walking on a heavily wooded trail behind Clever High School Monday evening (08-22-11.)  Students started school in Clever on August 17th.

Investigators believe the remains, that appear to be those of a man based on clothing and identification found with the remains, may have been there for about four to five months based on decomposition.
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Investigators at scene near where remains were found (courtesy KOLR)

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Sheriff Joey Kyle says his office is assisting Clever PD and the Highway Patrol in the investigation and currently does not have any active missing person investigations that match the remains.

There is speculation that the body could be that of Jeffrey A. Pinegar, 47.  Pinegar was charged with robbing Family Pharmacy, that was housed in a trailer adjacent to Murfin's Market, in April of this year. Authorities say Pinegar stole 510 pills that included Oxycontin, Hydromorphine and Alprazolam.

The high school sits across the street from Murfin's Market and Pinegar has not been seen since the robbery.

Sheriff Kyle says, "There's the potential that it could be him.  I'm not going to confirm it or deny it."
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Southwest Missouri Forensics will conduct an autopsy on the remains tomorrow in Springfield to possibly determine a cause of death.  It will take DNA and dental records to make a positive ID.
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UPDATE 08-26-11:

Authorities confirmed today that the body found was indeed Jeff Pinegar.  It will take toxicology reports to reveal the cause of Pinegar's death.

Christian County Deputy Charged With Unlawful Use Of A Weapon In Two States:

Brent Paoli (mug shot JCSO)

An off duty deputy from Christian County has been charged with unlawful use of a weapon after allegedly firing his service revolver during a dispute with a woman near the Missouri/Kansas border Saturday.

Authorities in Crawford County, Kansas received a 9-1-1 call from a woman who told them that Brent W. Paoli fired two shots and ran into the woods. She told investigators that Paoli allegedly fired another shot from a 9 mm handgun at her vehicle as she drove away.

Officers at the scene heard a fourth shot a short time later, according to the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department.

About two hours later authorities received information that Paoli was in the area of the Mo-Kan Dragway on the Missouri side of the state line. A Kansas Highway Patrol chopper spotted him hiding near the speedway, where he was taken into custody by Jasper County authorities.

Paoli, who is a corporal and has been with department for almost four years, was placed on paid administrative leave while an internal investigation is conducted.

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He was released from custody after posting $3,500 bond.
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Christian County Sheriff Joey Kyle says Paoli is one of his better officers and that he has had no disciplinary issues with him.

~UPDATED~Fugitive Task Force Apprehends Teen Charged With Manslaughter In Boyfriends Death; Judge Rules Enough Evidence To Proceed To Trial:

Karena D, Smith (Christian County mug shot)

Christian County authorities say they have apprehended a teenager charged with voluntary manslaughter for an alleged drunk driving crash that killed her boyfriend on Memorial Day.

Christian County Prosecutor Ron Cleek filed the manslaughter and two assault charges against Karena D. Smith, 17, of Tunas, on June 29 and she had been on the run from the law until last night (07-09-10.)

Christian County Sheriff Joey Kyle says law enforcers with the Southern Missouri Fugitive Task Force apprehended Smith, "After receiving a tip about what kind of car she was going to be in, who she was going to be with and where she was headed on July 6th. We conducted a lot of surveillance at several places."

Christian County Sheriff Joey Kyle

Kyle says that Smith was found in a home in southwestern Greene County and taken into custody without incident. Earlier this week Crime Stoppers offered a reward for Smith's capture.
According to the probable cause statement filed with the charges, Smith's blood alcohol level was allegedly .191 percent, more than double the legal limit, when she veered in front of a pickup truck in Ozark.

Christian County Prosecutor Ron Cleek

Her boyfriend Joshua W. Bridges, 21, of Fair Grove, was killed in the crash--another passenger in Smith's vehicle, Ashley Pierce, broke her pelvis and had a serious head injury. The driver of the pickup, Shannon Mitchell, broke his wrist.

This is not the only time Smith has eluded authorities. She was charged with DWI in Fair Grove municipal court in June of 2009. According to online court records, Smith failed to appear in court twice as that case worked it's way through the legal system and capius warrants for her arrest were issued each time.

Just 12 days before the fatal car crash Smith pled guilty to the misdemeanor DWI charge. She was placed on two years probation and her drivers license was revoked.

Sheriff Kyle says, "She wasn't gonna face the music any sooner than she had too."

Cleek says, "We're excited she was picked up and is in custody. On Monday she will appear before a judge and a date for her preliminary hearing will be set. I may ask at her hearing on Monday that her bond be set higher than $25,000 since she has a history of fleeing."

When asked about who supplied Smith with the alcohol and if that person or persons would be charged, Cleek said, "The investigation into who supplied her with alcohol is ongoing."

If convicted, Smith could be sentenced to between 5 to 15 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter. The assault charges carry a 1 to 7 years in prison sentence.

The fugitive task force included deputies from Greene, Christian, Webster and Dallas counties US Marshal’s office, Webster County Sheriff’s Department, the Ozark Police Department, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Marshals Service.

Kyle says that in the search for Smith authorities uncovered a meth lab in Douglas County and took Ricky Paul Hicks, who was wanted on an outstanding federal warrant, into custody. "It was a joint effort by several law enforcement agencies that used good ole' fashioned police work."
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UPDATE 10-13-10:

A judge has ruled that Karena Smith will stand trial for voluntary manslaughter.  She has been released on $5,000 bond at the request of  her boyfriend, the victim's, family.