Scott Ingalsbe, dob: 10-25-1961, of Reeds Spring, Missouri was found guilty this afternoon of two counts of Sexual Misconduct in the 1st Degree. A nine (9) woman and three (3) man jury deliberated for just over one hour before delivering its verdict. Associate Circuit Judge Tiffany Yarnell, who presided over the three day trial – which began on Monday, June 26, 2017 – scheduled Ingalsbe’s sentencing for September 19th at 1:00pm.
Prosecuting Attorney, Jeff Merrell and Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Christopher W. Lebeck presented evidence that on July 19, 2016, Scott Ingalsbe was hiding in some weeds or bushes beside the sidewalk running between the Branson Rec-Plex and Wal-Mart – a common path for area runners and walkers. Two power walkers, were startled when Scott Ingalsbe came out of the bushes by the sidewalk naked, masturbating. Scott Ingalsbe fled the scene in his unique blue and white pickup truck.
Later, on the morning of September 30, 2016, three mothers were playing with their children at the Branson Rec-Plex playground. One of the women observed Scott Ingalsbe under the pavilion pointing his phone at the playground with his genitals exposed, masturbating. Scott Ingalsbe fled the scene in his unique blue and white pickup truck.
“Without the good communication and cooperation between the Branson Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol in locating the pickup truck, Scott Ingalsbe would not have been identified as the suspect and we would not have been able to hold him accountable for his lewd behavior,” said Taney County Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Merrell.
The range of punishment for the class A misdemeanor of Sexual Misconduct in the 1st Degree is one (1) day to one (1) year in the Taney County Jail and/or a fine not to exceed $1,000. The jury did not get to hear evidence of Ingalsbe’s prior convictions for sexual misconduct, because Ingalsbe did not testify in his own defense at trial.