Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney

Our office would like to thank local law enforcement for all that they do to keep us safe. Going the extra mile, always answering our calls, and helping keep victims and our community safe can go without thanks far too often.

We thank our law enforcement partners! We could not do what we do without the teamwork from you all!

SHANE MULLINS TO SERVE THREE CONSECUTIVE LIFE SENTENCES

On Tuesday, January 23, 2026, Shane Mullins, 31, of Cuba, was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences in the Missouri Department of Corrections after previously pleading guilty to two counts of statutory so**my in the first degree and one count of statutory r**e in the first degree. The Honorable John D. Beger presided over the plea. Mullins previously pled guilty pursuant to Section 566.125, RSMo, declaring him a predatory s*xual offender.
Mullins was arrested in June of 2024, after investigation by Phelps County Sheriff’s Detectives, ICAC, and Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department.

“It was extremely important to both the Prosecutor’s Office and the detectives on the case that Mr. Mullins spend the rest of his life in prison so that he cannot have the chance to prey on another child” said Phelps County Prosecutor Banholzer, who prosecuted the case. “This is an important conviction for ensuring the safety of our young people.”

At the sentencing hearing in January, Judge Beger set Mr. Mullins’ minimum parole eligibility date for 35 years from the date of the hearing. Mullins will be 66 years old when he becomes parole eligible.

PHELPS COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 23, 2025

Phelps County Jury Convicts Vernon Phelps on Multiple Drug Charges Following Ex*****on of a Search Warrant on Defendant’s Residence.

ROLLA, Mo. – A Phelps County jury on Monday, June 9, 2025, found Vernon Eugene Phelps Jr. guilty of three felonies: Delivery of a Controlled Substance and two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance. The Honorable John D. Beger presided over the trial, which was prosecuted by Phelps County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jared Robinson.

The charges stem from the ex*****on of search warrant on June 14, 2022, in Newburg. Detectives from the Rolla Area Drug Enforcement Task Force and other officers applied for and obtained a warrant to search an address in Newburg where Phelps resided. During their search officers located 106 hydrocodone pills, methamphetamine, and amphetamine along with baggies, scales, guns, and cash.

Vernon Eugene Phelps Jr. initially failed to appear for his sentencing but was picked up on a warrant and on December 15, 2025, was sentenced to a total of 22 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections.