Judge sentences Keith to five years in prison

FARMINGTON – A St. Francois County woman has been sentenced to five years in prison for child abuse.

On Friday, Circuit Court Judge Kenneth W. Pratte sentenced Amber Keith, 30, of Park Hills, to five years in prison for abuse of a child. Her other charges were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

According to court records, Children’s Services began investigating allegations of child abuse and neglect in June while three children were no longer in her care.

The children told the Children’s Advocacy Center that Keith beat them with various objects including electrical cords, switches and parts to a race car track between 2005 and 2010.

All three children said they observed Keith use drugs while in their presence. The oldest said Keith made him smoke a marijuana cigarette as a breathing treatment.

In other cases, Jerry L. Copeland Jr., 41, of Park Hills, was sentenced to nine years in prison for child molestation. He entered an Alford plea to the charge. By entering an Alford plea, he did not admit to any element of the charge but recognized there was sufficient evidence for trial.

Coty J. Evans, 23, of Bonne Terre, was sentenced to nine years in prison for stealing, and resisting arrest. His other charges were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

According to court records, Desloge Police were dispatched to a shoplifter April 2 who had run away from Walmart. He had tried to steal a 46-inch television and an XBox 360.

While police were trying to find him, a woman reported that Evans had taken her Jeep, which he had left behind at Walmart.  The man was arrested a couple hours later near Brightwell Park.

Archie Eugene Boyer, 30, of Farmington, was sentenced to two years in prison for DWI.

Sherry Raye Hill, 39, of Farmington, was sentenced to five years in prison for possession of heroin.

According to court records, Hill was arrested after shoplifting at Farmington Walmart. She was found in possession of heroin residue and a prescription controlled substance.

Corey T. Cooperwood, 23, of Farmington, was sentenced to seven years in prison for violating the probation he received for possession of marijuana. He admitted to committing a new offense of sexual misconduct.

The judge will consider releasing him on a new term of probation after he completes a 120-day shock program.  

Debra Kathleen Hickey, 28, of Vandalia, was sentenced to four years in prison for possession of heroin.

Kevin L. Shaffer, 34, of Park Hills, was placed on five years of supervised probation for stealing more than $25,000. According to court records, he used Murray Trucking’s credit cards to purchase items including an iPhone, a camper and a car in 2008 and 2009.

Placed on five years of supervised probation were Jarrad L. Berger, 30, of Park Hills, for distribution of marijuana; Andrea Leigh Ferguson, a Vandalia inmate, for two counts of stealing, and possession of a controlled substance; Lonnie Myers Jr., 33, of Park Hills, for second-degree burglary and third-degree domestic assault; Roger L. Hannah, 46, of Knob Lick, for DWI; Dennis S. Winslow, 43, of Fredericktown, for failure to pay child support; Devin L. Young, 24, of Farmington, for forgery; Robert A. Jeffords, 26, of Cape Girardeau, for unlawful use of a weapon; John J. Reiger, 20, of Farmington, for unlawful use of a weapon; Daniel R. Jaco, 23, of St. Louis, for failure to pay child support; Kimberly A. Griffin, 33, of Park Hills, for possession of meth; Ryan M. Moyers, 31, of Desloge, for possession of meth and marijuana; Raymond J. Moore, 27, of Ste. Genevieve, for failure to pay child support; William L. Berrey, 44, of Bismarck, for failure to pay child support; Robert D. Neubauer, 33, of Desloge, for two counts of failure to pay child support.

Marvin G. Davies, 53, of Farmington, pleaded guilty to DWI. He will be sentenced at a later date.

Teresa Ressel is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-431-2010, ext. 179 or at tressel@dailyjournalonline.com.