On Tuesday, April 11, 2017, RODNEY J. SHIVELHOOD, d/o/b 12-19-1963, of Branson, pleaded guilty in the Circuit Court of Taney County to the class E felony of harassment in the first degree, and was sentenced to three (3) years in prison. Circuit Court Judge Tony Williams accepted the guilty plea and sentenced Shivelhood pursuant to a plea agreement Shivelhood made with the Taney County Prosecutor’s Office.

Shivelhood had sent threatening text messages to his neighbors on January 18 through 19, of 2017, including a claim that he was going to burn down the house of one neighbor. Copies of multiple text messages were recovered by the Taney County Sheriff’s Office, proving the existence of the threats.

Starting January 1, 2017, the State of Missouri recognizes a class E felony, such as for harassment in the first degree, which carries a maximum penalty of up to four (4) years in the Missouri Department of Corrections and/or a fine of up to $10,000.00.