AVA, Mo. — An Ava man is facing allegations of harassment and assault following an incident involving an off duty Douglas County detention officer at a local gym last November.
Ricky David Atkinson, 66, of Ava, is accused in a Douglas County probable cause statement of first degree harassment and fourth degree assault involving a special victim. Deputy Shane Harden wrote that investigators had probable cause to believe the alleged offenses occurred Nov. 11, 2025.
According to the statement, the detention officer reported that Atkinson approached him while he was exercising at the Missouri Ozarks Community Health gym facility. The officer alleged Atkinson repeatedly attempted to get his attention by shouting and kicking him in the shin.
The officer told investigators that Atkinson acknowledged he should not be speaking with him but continued asking for the name of a former Douglas County Jail inmate. The officer eventually provided the information and walked away, according to the statement. Investigators noted Atkinson knew the man was a detention officer because Atkinson had previously been housed at the Douglas County Jail and had interacted with him there.
The probable cause statement says surveillance footage from the gym was later obtained and reviewed by investigators. Harden wrote that the footage appeared to show Atkinson approaching the officer while he exercised and kicking the officer’s left leg with his right foot, apparently in an attempt to get his attention. The officer then stopped exercising and briefly spoke with Atkinson before walking away. Atkinson allegedly followed him for several steps before another brief conversation occurred.
The probable cause statement also notes Atkinson had no prior arrests for similar offenses.
Court records show the probable cause statement and information were filed July 27. A criminal summons was issued July 28. Atkinson is scheduled to make an initial appearance at 9 a.m. Oct. 8 before Associate Circuit Judge Elizabeth A. Bock in Douglas County.
All charges are allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
