BENTON, MISSOURI - Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter reports a Chaffee area man in custody on felony charges stemming from a domestic assault investigation.
Kenneth Eugene Cummins, Sr. (53) of 11012 State Highway 77, Chaffee has been charged with the Class B Felony of First Degree Domestic Assault, the Unclassified Felony of Armed Criminal Action, and the Class A Misdemeanor of Unlawful Use of Drug Paraphernalia.
Sheriff Walter states that on Tuesday, January 13th, at approximately 9:07 p.m., Deputies with the sheriff’s office were dispatched to a call at the residence in reference to a domestic violence assault.
One member of the family reported that Cummins struck them with his fists several times in their face. Cummins is then alleged to have gone to a bedroom and retrieved a semi-automatic pistol, confronting the same family member in a hallway, pointing the gun at them, and pulling the trigger, but the weapon did not fire. Cummins is then reported to have pulled the slide back to chamber a live round. The victim and two other household members fled the residence.
A short time later the two family members returned to the residence without the one previously assaulted. They reported that Cummins fired shots into the air and ordered them to leave. It was at this point that they departed and notified the sheriff’s office of the events.
After the initial deputies arrived on the scene it was determined that Cummins had secured the home and was prepared for a confrontation with law enforcement personnel. A request for additional assistance was made by those on scene. Sheriff Walter, additional Scott County deputies, a Cape Girardeau County Deputy, officers with the Chaffee Police Department, and members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol responded to assist.
Traffic on State Highway 77 was diverted and the Burlington Northern Railroad was notified to stop traffic on the line near the residence.
At approximately 11:27 p.m., with the assistance of another family member, the standoff ended when Cummins surrendered to authorities. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Scott County Jail pending the filing of formal charges by the Scott County Prosecuting Attorney.
A subsequent search of the residence, assisted by a Cape Girardeau Police Department canine unit revealed multiple firearms placed about in the residence. Among them was a loaded AR-15 semi-automatic rifle near the front door with four additional loaded magazines. Also recovered was a metal pipe with residue identified as having the properties of marijuana.
Sheriff Walter states that he is very pleased with the outcome of this incident. He states that the goal in these situations is to secure the scene, deescalate the situation, prevent the loss of life, and take the individual into custody without harm and that’s what happened.
The Sheriff thanks everyone that assisted during the incident, and is grateful for the good working relationships between the agencies involved.
Sheriff Walter asks that anyone who has further information regarding this incident, other information on Cummins, or any other crimes to contact the Scott County Sheriff’s Office at 545-3525, or leave a message on the crime tip line at 1-866-210-4322.
Cummins remains in custody at the Scott County Jail. Bond was set by the court at $50,000.00 cash or surety.
