Indictment filed against Gainesville man for assault with wooden board in 2021

Estevon S. Dockins, 35, of Gainesville has been indicted by an Ozark County grand jury of first-degree assault of an elderly victim, first-degree assault, two counts of armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a firearm. He is being charged as a prior and persistent offender due to the fact that he’s been convicted of  two or more felony charges in the past.  

According to the probable cause statement prepared by Ozark County Deputy Stephen Ator, at 7:50 p.m. on Dec. 10, 2021, on Piranha Drive in Theodosia, Dockins repeatedly struck two people with a 3-inch by 3-inch by 36-inch wooden board. One victim, whose initials are listed as D.A. in the report, was considered an elderly person and therefore classified as a special victim, which causes the charge to be a class A felony, the highest allowed under Missouri law. That victim has reportedly died from unrelated causes since the incident occurred. 

The report says Dockins is also alleged to have drove over the victim’s mailbox and remained on their property when he was told to leave. 

Because he is being charged as a prior offender, he is subject to extended punishment if found guilty. The prior and persistent status is based on his prior convictions, which include a 2016 conviction of possession of a controlled substance and domestic assault and the 2018 conviction of unlawful possession of a weapon.

He appeared in court with Defense Attorney Christopher Wade, who filed a motion for a change of venue in the case. A plea hearing or trial setting is scheduled for 9 a.m. May 3.