KC Reporter

Six law enforcement officers from local and federal agencies were recognized for their work on major criminal investigations at the 23rd Annual Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee Training Seminar in Springfield, Missouri. The recipients were presented with the 2025 Guardian of Justice Award on August 21, 2025.

FBI Special Agent Isaac McPheeters was honored for his role in investigating two members of the self-styled "2nd American Militia," who planned to attack Border Patrol agents and immigrants at the United States–Mexico border. Authorities stopped the conspiracy after one of the suspects fired at FBI agents during a search warrant operation ahead of their planned trip to the border.

ATF Special Agent Jerry Wine and ATF Task Force Officers David Schroeder (Greene County Sheriff’s Office), Justin Gargus (Christian County Sheriff’s Office), Eric Pinegar (Springfield Police Department), and Evan Nicholson (Springfield Police Department) were also recognized for their efforts to reduce violent gun crime and gang activity in Springfield, Missouri.

“I would like to congratulate and commend the agents and task force officers for their effort on these investigations. As a result of their hard work and dedication, these violent individuals are off the streets and citizens of the Western District are safer,” said U.S. Attorney Price.

Following a two-week jury trial in late 2024, Bryan C. Perry from Clarksville, Tennessee, and Jonathan S. O’Dell from Warsaw, Missouri, were found guilty on charges including conspiracy to murder federal officers, attempted murder of FBI special agents, assault with a deadly weapon, using firearms during violent crimes, damaging federal property, illegal possession of firearms or body armor by felons, making threats to injure others, making false statements to federal agents, escaping custody, and other related offenses. Both men are scheduled for sentencing on August 26, 2025.

Special Agent McPheeters coordinated with multiple agencies across Missouri, Tennessee, and Texas throughout this complex investigation. When O’Dell escaped custody in October 2023, McPheeters led a multi-agency search that resulted in O’Dell's capture within two days.

“Violence against law enforcement will not be tolerated and recognition of the work to stop these individuals from carrying out their planned attack is greatly appreciated. The FBI will do everything it can to ensure the safety and security of all law enforcement from danger,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen Cyrus.

The ATF began investigating an increase in shootings—including drive-by incidents and homicides involving juveniles—in Springfield starting November 2021. Investigators used gun data analysis along with social media profiles and police reports to identify suspects linked to gangs such as “F**k The Opps” (FTO) and “Only Da Brothers” (ODB). Seven homicides have been tied to these groups so far.

Through street-level investigations; surveillance; cooperation between state and federal agencies; firearm tracing; use of crime labs; examination by ATF’s Firearms & Ammunition Technology Division; social media monitoring; trial support; testimony at hearings; adoption of state cases federally; as well as coordination among various partners—law enforcement has indicted several gang members or associates. Among those prosecuted were Ezekiel King and Jardell Williams—identified leaders of FTO—who each received sentences of over six years in prison. In total: nine gang members have been sentenced to prison time federally while others await sentencing or have received supervised release terms. Since these indictments there has been a significant decrease in shooting incidents reported locally.

“This case is the gold standard for what can be accomplished when federal, state, and local law enforcement work side by side to confront violent crime,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Bernard Hansen. “By leveraging our collective resources through a task force, and utilizing crime gun intelligence tools such as NIBIN, we delivered prison sentences for those violent gang members who threatened the safety of our communities and a significant reduction in crime.”

The Guardian of Justice Award is given annually by the Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee during its training seminar to recognize both state/local officers and federal agents for outstanding investigative work marked by collaboration with prosecutors as well as diligence throughout prosecution phases.