Charges filed in Lawrence County for crimes targeting Amish property

LAWRENCE COUNTY, Mo. (KY3) - Six people face charges after investigators said a series of crimes targeted an Amish community in Lawrence County, including allegations of vandalism, burglary, and arson.

Only two of the six have had their charges made public. Witnesses told investigators the incidents happened during the night of July 17-18.

For the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, the case began with a report of a house fire.

“We got a report into our agency for a fire that they believed to be arson, and it just kind of developed from that point forward,” said Master Sgt. Melissa Phillips with the sheriff’s office.

The sheriff’s office began investigating the fire. The Department of Conservation’s Protection Division handled the bulk of the investigation.

What court records allege

According to court records, investigators uncovered allegations involving six people and a series of crimes targeting Amish property. The allegations include stealing and towing away an Amish buggy, damaging equipment and property, and burning a home. Some of the suspects are accused of using a side-by-side UTV to tow away the buggy.

Investigators said the group traveled in both directions on Highway 1040, a rural road with little traffic. Investigators said the group dragged the buggy along the road and stopped south of Lawrence County Road 2090, where they tried to set it on fire and then sent it over a bridge into the water below.

Court documents also state a skid loader was stolen, and the suspects drove it into a garden, destroying the garden. Some members of the group who rode in the side-by-side are accused of driving through a cornfield, doing donuts, and driving about a quarter mile into the cornfield, destroying crops.

The suspects are then accused of driving south on Lawrence County Road 1040, where they spotted a white pickup truck. Court documents say the suspects fired a Roman candle-style firework at the truck, hitting it.

Investigators also described damage to an Amish home and barn. Windows and ceiling fans were broken, graffiti was spray-painted on the property, and glue was poured onto concrete footings. The home was burned to the ground.

Charges filed

Rachel Huff (Klemp) is charged with property damage, harassment, burglary, and trespassing.

Austin Boggs, 27, is charged with arson, burglary, property damage, harassment, and trespassing. He was booked into the Lawrence County Jail on Nov. 7 and was denied bond.

Charges against the other four people have not been made public, so they are not named.

Prosecutor describes review process

Lawrence County Prosecutor Darlene Parrigon said her office received the law enforcement referrals Oct. 13 and 14. Parrigon said the complexity of the case and the number of co-defendants required time to review the evidence and determine which charges were appropriate for each person.

Parrigon said all known participants have been charged, and six of them have charges, but the cases remain pending. The office said it has not yet received all reports, and motive and background are still under investigation.

New rules limit online case access

Under new rules, cases involving pending warrants are not publicly visible on Case.net until the person is arrested.

Phillips said people previously could look at the probable cause on Case.net even when the agency was giving no comment. She said that is no longer possible under the law change.

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