Region briefs 11/24/2015

Ex-Dexter physician sentenced to 15 years

FORT SMITH, Ark. -- A former Dexter, Missouri, doctor, Donald W. Lamoureaux, will spend 15 years in federal prison for coercion and enticement of a minor. Lamoureaux, 69, of Hardy, Arkansas, was sentenced Thursday to 15 years in federal prison and 10 years of supervised release. Lamoureaux also practiced family medicine in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas, and was employed at the VA Medical facility in West Plains, Missouri. According to court records, officers from the Fort Smith Police Department began an undercover investigation in January, directed at people who were using the Internet to target minors for illegal sexual activity. During the operation, an undercover officer entered a chat room posing as a mother offering her 4-year-old daughter for sexual exploitation. The undercover officer made contact with the defendant, later identified as Lamoureaux. During the online conversation, Lamoureaux said he was a family practice doctor living in Northeast Arkansas, and provided the undercover officer with a picture of himself. From the information and picture provided, the undercover officer identified Lamoureaux.

House Speaker gives goals for session

Missouri House Speaker Todd Richardson of Poplar Bluff told the Bootheel Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission last week about what he hopes to accomplish during the next legislative session. Richardson said the legislative agenda would include economic development for the entire state, finding a solution to a "vexing" transportation problem and improving the state's Medicaid program. He noted far too often, the focus has been on the larger cities. Coming from a rural area, Richardson said he knows how important it is to create jobs throughout the state. He did not express a position on "right-to-work" legislation.

-- From staff reports