Two in Two Weeks

Twice in two weeks, West Plains man Levi Hodgson is accused of violence that required police interference. On September 10, police responded to a report that Levi Hodgson of brandishing a firearm during an altercation in the 600 block of Missouri Ave. He faces charges of Unlawful use of a Weapon and Assault in the Fourth Degree. 

 

Hodgson admitted to possessing a firearm during an altercation on a college campus, during a post Miranda interview with West Plains Police Officer Damian Meyer. Hodgson told police that he told other parties inside a building he wanted to fight them, admitting that after saying this that he ran towards the area of altercation armed.

 

According to court documents, both camera footage and witness statements confirm Hodgson possessing and wielding a weapon. Hodgson’s Arraignment and Bond Appearance is scheduled for October 5, 2026.

 

Another West Plains man, Ashur B. Smotherman, is also accused of fourth degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon for actions at the same time and place, though court documents not Smotherman denied possessing a firearm. 

Video evidence lead police to suspect Hodgson in another incident on August 29. Officers were dispatched to the 1500 block of Preacher Roe Boulevard. Upon arrival, the officers discovered an assaulted male subject. According to a September 9 press release, video evidence was later collected, and Hodgson was identified as the assailant. In a September 18 phone interview, the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office of West Plains’ municipal court confirmed that charges have yet to be filed on the incident. Officer Conner Burnes of West Plains Police Department could not confirm by press time that Hodgson is the subject of a video showing a young man initiating an assault on a shirtless man, presumed to be homeless.