Helmers pleads guilty

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[33-year-old Russell P. Helmers of Chester has pled guilty to Assault in the 2nd Degree, Domestic Assault - 2nd Degree, Tampering with a Motor Vehicle - 1st Degree, Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident. The charges stem from a vehicle Helmers was believed to have stolen from Chester back on November 12, 2010, which led to Helmers later crashing the vehicle in rural St. Francis County, Missouri. As a result Helmers has been sentenced to 7 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections.

According to Randolph County States Attorney Randy Rodewald, Helmers will still answer to charges for the original vehicle theft here in Randolph County. Rodewald said Helmers could also be prosecuted for another unrelated case of Burglary to Motor Vehicle in addition to this case.