Howell County Sheriff’s Office arrests and incidents, Dec 29-Jan 4

Source: howellcountynews.com

TL;DR

• Howell County Sheriff's Office reports arrests and calls for service from December 29, 2025, to January 4, 2026.
• 28 arrests covered charges like domestic assault, DWI with injury, drug possession, and serious felonies including rape and kidnapping.
• Routine log shows deputies handled thefts, disturbances, a structure fire, and welfare checks amid holiday period activity.

The story at a glance

The article lists arrests and calls for service by the Howell County Sheriff's Office over one week around the New Year's holiday. Deputies responded to incidents across West Plains, Willow Springs, Pomona, and rural county roads, involving deputies like Kyle Holloway, Auston Ryan, and Avery Stolba. It is published as a standard police blotter update on January 13, 2026.[[1]](https://www.howellcountynews.com/police-blotters/howell-county-sheriff%E2%80%99s-office-111)

Key points

• Arrests totaled 28, with common charges of possession of controlled substances, domestic assault (multiple degrees), failure to appear, and probation/parole holds.
• Serious cases included Taylor Scott Wilcox, 33, on January 4 for armed criminal action, first-degree kidnapping, rape/attempted rape, and drug possession.
• Bethany Nicole Williams, 36, arrested December 29 for DWI causing serious physical injury (two counts), careless driving in an accident, and seatbelt violation.
• Vehicle-related incidents: auto theft at Star Mart in Pomona (vehicle recovered, suspect pending); stolen vehicle on State Route 17; lost/stolen license plate.
• Notable calls: December 30 structure fire at South Fork business; December 31 death from apparent natural causes on County Road 9690; neighbor harassment and animal abandonment probes.
• Operation Relentless Pursuit led to multiple warrant arrests, including two wanted individuals on December 31 and others on January 2 and 4.
• Immigration-related: Felipe Santizo Tadeo, 23 (December 31) and Juan Carlos Hernandez Estrada (January 2) on ICE/immigration detainers.

Details and context

The blotter covers a busy week with deputies addressing holiday-related disturbances, traffic issues, and property crimes in rural Missouri areas like Pomona and Willow Springs. Domestic violence appeared frequently, with at least six arrests ranging from third to second degree, often alongside drug charges. Traffic stops yielded several drug possessions and holds, such as a 24-hour hold after a State Route 14 stop on December 31.

Fire and welfare responses included a fully engulfed commercial building in South Fork—multiple fire departments assisted—and a wellbeing check finding a deceased subject from natural causes. Ongoing investigations noted for auto theft, burglary/stealing, animal neglect, juvenile explicit photo reports, and protection order violations. No outcomes or court dates provided; charges pending prosecutor's review in many cases.[[1]](https://www.howellcountynews.com/police-blotters/howell-county-sheriff%E2%80%99s-office-111)

Key quotes

None.

Why it matters

Routine police logs like this track local crime patterns, such as frequent drug possession and domestic assaults in Howell County. Residents see concrete deputy actions on thefts, warrants, and hazards, helping gauge neighborhood safety around holidays. Watch for follow-up charges from the prosecutor or Operation Relentless Pursuit results, though many cases remain under investigation.