VAN BUREN, Mo. – On March 1, 2022, a federal grand jury for the Eastern District of Missouri in Cape Girardeau returned an Indictment against Marvin “Mark” Remster in connection with the arson of the Round Spring Visitor Contact Station in Ozark National Scenic Riverways last December.
According to the four-count Indictment, Remster, age 39, from Davisville, Missouri, has been charged with the felony offenses of arson, burglary, theft of government property, and felon-in-possession of a firearm. The arson charge is punishable by imprisonment for up to twenty years. The investigation remains ongoing.
The charges stemmed from a reported fire at the Round Spring Visitor Contact Station on the night of December 26, 2021. National Park Service (NPS) law enforcement rangers responded to the scene and observed the building was engulfed in flames. Local firefighters from Timber and Eminence extinguished the blaze, but the building was a total loss. During fire suppression efforts it was determined that a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado pickup belonging to the NPS had been stolen from the parking lot. Evidence at the scene indicated the fire was incendiary in nature and a joint criminal investigation was undertaken by NPS law enforcement rangers and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF).
Charges set forth are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
During the investigation information was received from the Shannon County Sheriff, other cooperating law enforcement agencies, and members of the public leading to several search warrants that were executed at locations in the surrounding area. NPS and ATF investigators were able to recover evidence that may assist other local agencies with solving recent crimes.
“We are grateful to members of the public who came forward to provide information, as well as other local agencies who contributed to the investigation, especially the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Missouri Highway Patrol, and the respective Sheriff’s Offices in Dent, Shannon, and Reynolds Counties,” says Superintendent Jason Lott. “Our law enforcement rangers at Ozark National Scenic Riverways are dedicated to promoting a safe environment for park visitors, staff, and partners, and appreciate the cooperative efforts of other local agencies that help us accomplish that goal.”
The loss of the Round Spring Visitor Contact Station and the stolen government vehicle are substantial losses, however what cannot be measured is the loss of park historical items associated with the structure. Planning is underway for both temporary and long-term replacements for the visitor contact station to minimize the impact of the crime on park visitors.
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Ozark National Scenic Riverways is requesting assistance locating persons responsible for suspected theft and arson of government property. On December 26, at approximately 11:13 p.m. park rangers responded to the scene of a structural fire at the Round Spring Visitor Contact Station, which consisted of a small visitor contact center and ranger offices. Local area volunteer fire departments from Timber and Eminence suppressed the fire. No one was injured however the building was a total loss.
The National Park Service Investigative Services Branch along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office are actively investigating the fire and associated theft of government property.
If you were in the area of the Round Spring Visitor Contact Station on December 26 between 9 p.m. and midnight, please contact the NPS Investigative Services Branch Tip Line:
CALL or TEXT the ISB Tip Line 888-653-0009 ONLINE www.nps.gov/ISB and click “Submit a Tip”
EMAIL nps_isb@nps.gov
EMERGENCY dial 9-1-1
The entire Round Spring campground, picnic pavilion and day use area near Round Spring will be closed while investigators work at the scene. For information and updates on the reopening of the area, call (573) 323-4236 or visit the park’s Facebook page.
Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves the free-flowing Current and Jacks Fork Rivers, the surrounding resources, and the unique cultural heritage of the Ozark people.
