AVA, Mo. — An Ava man faces felony charges after Douglas County authorities say an altercation near the end of FF Highway resulted in another man being knocked approximately 15 feet down a creek bank.
Kenneth B. Prock, 59, of Ava, was arrested following the Aug. 25 incident and later charged with first degree assault and unlawful possession of a firearm. Bond was set at $25,000 cash only, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
According to a probable cause statement filed by Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sam Evans, deputies received a call at approximately 2:45 p.m. from a man who reported that he had been pushed from a bank about 15 feet tall into a creek containing shallow water and several large rocks. The caller identified Prock as the person who assaulted him.
The alleged victim told Evans he had been fishing from the bank and had just caught a fish when Prock allegedly struck him in the back, causing him to fall into the creek. According to the statement, after the man climbed out of the water and confronted Prock, Prock allegedly responded affirmatively when asked whether that was “how it was going to be.”
Authorities located Prock sitting in the driver’s seat of the alleged victim’s vehicle. Sgt. Gabe Stroud of the Ava Police Department observed a Ruger American .22 Magnum rifle beside the driver’s seat, according to the probable cause statement. Authorities said Prock is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms.
The alleged victim told investigators he believed Prock was attempting to take his vehicle and leave him behind, but the vehicle reportedly would not start despite multiple attempts. Prock was then transported to the Douglas County Jail. Investigators photographed the firearm and recorded its serial number before releasing it back to its owner.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Prock was initially placed on a 24-hour hold before a warrant was issued for first degree assault and unlawful possession of a firearm.
The probable cause statement lists first degree assault or attempted serious physical injury and a weapons offense among the charges sought by investigators.
The case was investigated by Evans and Lt. James Nelson. Douglas County Sheriff Chris Degase thanked Stroud and Capt. Butterworth of the Ava Police Department for assisting with the investigation.
All charges are allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
