Former Marble Hill police officer facing assault, kidnapping charges

BOLLINGER COUNTY, Mo. (KBSI) – A former Marble Hill police officer faces assault, kidnapping and property damage charges.

Billy J. VanDeven, 60, of Patton faces one count of assault 3rd-degree, one count of assault 4th-degree, one count of kidnapping 3rd degree and property damage.

On August 1, Marble Hill Police Chief Kristin Nenninger requested the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control to investigate an alleged assault and property damage involving VanDeven. The Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney was appointed as the special prosecutor in the case.

On Monday, July 29 around 12:46 a.m. Officer VanDeven with the Marble Hill Police Department responded to a home in Marble Hill for a noise complaint.

While en route to the home, Officer VanDeven is heard over the radio saying, “I’ve got to take care of a few things with the individual first,” according to the probable cause statement.

Body camera footage shows VanDeven walking onto the back porch of a home, grabbing a speaker and throwing it off the porch. He then grabs a sound bar and throw it off the porch, according to court documents.

After throwing the items off the porch, VanDeven and the victim verbally argued.

VanDeven tells the person he will be issued a citation for an ordinance violation and walks off the porch.

As Officer VanDeven was walking away, the victim stood up with a cell phone and told him he was on camera. That’s when Officer VanDeven approached the person on the porch and shoved him with both of his hands causing the person to fall on his back, according to the probable cause statement.

The person stood back up and they continued to argue. The person began to question VanDeven’s authority to arrest him.

While arguing, VanDeven asked, “Do you want to go to jail for assault?” While reviewing body camera footage, it was apparent that the person never assaulted or made an aggressive maneuver toward, according to court documents.

VanDeven retrieved his handcuffs, forces the person to the ground. After a short struggle, a facial injury was seen on the victim’s forehead. He had what appeared to be a cut and was “bleeding significantly.”

The person was heard on camera saying, “Punch me in the face again, you just assaulted me,” according to the probable cause statement.

The person was taken to a Perryville hospital and then to Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

VanDeven is accused of threatening that he would return to a home and destroys the speakers and “kick his a**.”

On August 9, after reviewing the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s investigation, a Bollinger County warrant was issued for VanDeven’s arrest.

VanDeven’s Defense Attorney Gabe Crocker released a statement regarding the charges. “This a very fluid situation and I have not had the opportunity to review any evidence. Mr. Vandeven has dedicated his life to protecting and serving the public. Being a police officer does not negate my client’s Constitutional Rights, though law enforcement detractors often feel otherwise. He is innocent until proven guilty.”

VanDeven turned himself into the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Office on August 12.

He posted a $2,500 bond.