AVA, Mo. — An Ava man faces a felony charge of hindering prosecution after Douglas County authorities allege he knowingly sheltered a woman wanted on an outstanding felony warrant.
Roger E. Wall, 78, is accused of harboring Megan Leigh Engelking, who was wanted in Douglas County on a felony controlled substance warrant, at his property near the Vera Cruz Conservation Area.
According to a probable cause statement prepared by Douglas County Sheriff’s Sgt. Aaron Box, investigators received information in late October that Engelking had been staying at Wall’s property despite having an active warrant issued in May.
Authorities conducted surveillance of the property and reportedly observed Engelking entering Wall’s residence on multiple occasions.
Investigators also obtained information indicating Wall was aware of Engelking’s legal situation. According to the statement, Wall had previously acknowledged to a probation officer that Engelking was staying on his property and that he was attempting to persuade her to turn herself in.
On Nov. 4, deputies located Engelking after she left the property in an SUV and traveled toward the Vera Cruz Conservation Area. Engelking allegedly fled on foot when deputies approached but was located hiding in an overgrown area and taken into custody without further incident.
Engelking now faces a class E felony charge of resisting or interfering with an arrest for a felony in connection with the Nov. 4 incident.
According to court records, Engelking had been an absconder from supervision since May. Judge Elizabeth Bock ordered her held without bond under Missouri Supreme Court Rule 33. Engelking appeared for arraignment Nov. 6, with a bond reduction hearing scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 12, at 11 a.m.
Investigators allege Wall knowingly continued providing Engelking with shelter despite her outstanding warrant, preventing her apprehension by law enforcement.
The probable cause statement also notes that Wall was under court supervision with drug testing in connection with a separate pending criminal matter involving alleged possession of methamphetamine. The statement does not specify the outcome of that matter.
Wall faces a class D felony charge of hindering prosecution of a felony.
Douglas County court records show that Associate Circuit Judge Elizabeth Bock recused herself from Wall’s case Nov. 6. The matter was referred to the Missouri Supreme Court for assignment of another judge.
All charges are allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
