Man from Oklahoma who shot at Seneca Police Officer sentenced to over 30 years in prison
Kenneth Cecil Nelums faces 18 years for Assault in the First Degree and 15 years for Unlawful Use of a Weapon
A man from Oklahoma was sentenced to 18 years and 15 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections.
61-year-old Picher, Oklahoma resident Kenneth Cecil Nelums was sentenced on Monday by Judge Gregory Stremel to 18 years in prison on one count of Assault in the First Degree and 15 years in prison on once count of Unlawful Use of a Weapon.
A count of Armed Criminal Action was dismissed.
A news release from the office of Newton County Prosecuting Attorney William Lynch says, “On September 12, 2020, a Seneca Police Officer was attempting to make a traffic stop of the vehicle
carrying three suspects when he observed a back window open and a flash come from the vehicle,
followed by bullets hitting the officer’s patrol vehicle. The vehicle proceeded through a fence and
into a field where the occupants were able to evade pursuit. The vehicle was later located, in which
officers found numerous weapons, spent bullet casings, and bullet holes in the tailgate of the
vehicle. Nelums and two other suspects were later apprehended. Co-defendants Bradley Ray
Holmes, Jr. pleaded guilty on February 1, 2021 and Tony Lucian Helm pleaded guilty on March
5, 2021 and both received a 15 year sentence in the Department of Corrections for their roles in
the shooting. The Alford Plea entered by the defendant allows him to plea guilty and admit there
is sufficient evidence to convict without admitting guilt.”