Taney County Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Merrell announces that on Thursday, October 4, 2012, in the Circuit Court of Taney County, that CHRISTOPHER NICHOLS (d.o.b. 2/11/1980), and Carole Cummings (d.o.b. 4/21/1977), both of Springfield, were sentenced to the Missouri Department of Corrections, pursuant to plea agreements. Nichols was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Mark Orr to five (5) years in prison for his role in a July 19, 2012, burglary committed at a property on Meadow Ridge Drive, owned by Wyndam Resorts. Cummings was essentially the getaway driver in the burglary, and she was sentenced to four (4) years in prison for the felony of accessory to burglary, for her role in the crime.

Branson police officers received a tip that some former employees of Wyndam were stealing televisions from rooms at their resort. A traffic stop followed, which revealed evidence that some stolen televisions had been sold. Through further investigation, two females – including Cummings – made incriminating statements to officers, implicating themselves and Nichols in the burglary of the resort.