An ongoing dispute between neighbors resulted in a late May altercation and criminal charges for four West Plains men.
The conflict first drew law enforcement response on Sept. 28, when a local resident reported that a neighbor was harassing him and his brother by using a bullhorn to publicly accuse the brother of being a sex offender. The victim told Howell County Sheriff's Deputy Kory Taylor he did not know the suspect by name and did not have video footage of the incident.
Taylor attempted to contact the neighbor, but no one answered the door, despite lights turning on and off inside the residence while the deputy spoke with the victim. Taylor advised the victim that a report would be filed and recommended capturing video evidence of any future harassment.
Mason D. Rideout, 37, was charged with felony first-degree harassment. Court records show he previously pleaded guilty to first-degree harassment and resisting arrest for a felony in 2022, serving a four-year prison sentence.
The feud escalated at about 1 a.m. May 30, when Cpl. Timothy Gordon was dispatched to investigate a disturbance between the neighbors. En route, Gordon learned Rideout had reported being assaulted by his neighbors and believed his jaw was broken. Upon arrival, Gordon observed that Rideout was bleeding from facial injuries and had severe swelling on the right side of his face.
Before being transported by emergency medical services, Rideout reported that three men had crossed from the neighboring property into his yard and punched him in the face.
Investigators questioned three suspects in connection with the assault: Thomas B. Davis, 45; Melbourne M. McCay, 28; and Eric J. Campbell, 27.
Davis and McCay told law enforcement they had been drinking in their front yard when Rideout arrived home, honked his horn and yelled profanities at them. They stated Rideout entered their property, threw items into the yard, and sprayed two of them with pepper spray when confronted. Both men admitted to crossing onto Rideout’s property during the confrontation but denied hitting him.
Campbell fled into nearby woods before deputies arrived. He spoke with law enforcement the following day and admitted to hiding to avoid arrest. A neighboring witness's statement and security camera footage reportedly captured Campbell repeatedly striking Rideout in the face. The witness also reported seeing McCay strike Rideout, though that portion was not captured on video.
Rideout suffered a fractured nose and a jaw broken in multiple places that required wiring to repair.
Campbell was charged with felony first-degree assault resulting in serious injury and resisting arrest. He was arrested July 14 and released the following day on a $25,000 surety bond.
McCay was charged with felony first-degree assault resulting in serious injury. He was arrested July 13 and released the same day on a $25,000 bond.
Rideout reportedly admitted to law enforcement that he contributed to the ongoing feud and stated that on the night of the assault, the neighbors were revving motorbike engines next to his truck and making threats. Rideout also provided a voluntary statement admitting he entered the neighbors' property to yell and argue.
Rideout was charged with misdemeanor peace disturbance and an infraction for second-degree trespassing.
Davis was charged with misdemeanor second-degree harassment, peace disturbance, fourth-degree assault and an infraction for second-degree trespassing.
Court records show Campbell is scheduled for arraignment Monday. Rideout is scheduled to appear Aug. 10, McCay on Aug. 3, and Davis on Aug. 17, all before Associate 37th Circuit Judge R. David Ray.
