Dunklin County shooter receives 24-year sentence for 2017 assault

A Dunklin County resident found guilty of shooting a man in 2017 was sentenced Monday to 24 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections (MoDOC).

Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney Nick Jain announced in a press release that Johnny Lee Phillips, Jr., 46, of Steele, formerly of 2216 Raydeanna St., Kennett, was sentenced to 17 years incarceration at MoDOC for felony first-degree assault, three years in prison for felony armed criminal action, and four years for felony unlawful use of a weapon, all sentences to run consecutively.

Phillips was found guilty of shooting a man on Nov. 19, 2017, at the corner of North Walnut St. and Washington St., Dunklin County Asst. Prosecuting Attorney Ryan Dicus said.

A Pemiscot County jury decided the case by virtue of a change of venue motion from 35th Judicial District Circuit Court Presiding Judge Rob Mayer's courtroom to the 34th Judicial District Circuit Court and found Phillips guilty of the crimes on Nov. 21, 2024, , according to court documents.

Dicus at trial presented evidence that an argument between the victim and Phillips moved from one place to North Walnut and Washington Streets at Kennett, where Phillips brandished a handgun and shot the victim in the chest.

The victim survived his injuries after he was airlifted to a Memphis hospital.

Phillips has an extensive criminal history, according to court records.