Sedalia Police Charge Homeless Man With Harassment, Trespassing & Assault

Officers responded to the First Christian Church, 200 South Limit Avenue on Wednesday morning.

The Pastor of the Church reported someone had been trying to open locked doors. When confronted, the suspect demanded to be let inside the church, and threatened the Pastor with violence if he wasn't let inside. The suspect then left the scene, when the Pastor phoned Police. A little over an hour and a half later, the suspect was located at the Taco Bell restaurant, 820 South Limit Avenue.

Daniel Jeremiah Barton*, 38, of Sedalia, was arrested on a charge of felony Harassment in the 1st Degree and Trespassing in the 2nd Degree.

When Barton was transported to the Pettis County Jail, he became aggravated, shouting, and refusing to listen to Corrections Officers. Barton then kicked one of the male Corrections Officers in the groin, causing him so much pain he had to leave the room. Barton was then restrained in a specialized chair.

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A charge of felony Assault in the 3rd Degree (Special Victim) was added due to the altercation at the Pettis County Jail.

Barton was placed on a 24-hour hold. Barton was issued a cash or surety bond of $15,000 with special instructions that he is to avoid the First Christian Church.

*While the Police Report notes an address for Barton in the 1300 block of Osage Avenue, the Probable Cause Statement indicates he was a flight risk because he is homeless. The PC statement notes Barton was placed on 24-hour hold because he is considered a flight risk.