General Crimes
The General Crimes Unit prosecutes a variety of cases ranging from misdemeanor traffic offenses to felony property crimes and white collar offenses. Traffic offenses include speeding and licensing violations, driving while intoxicated, driving while license revoked, leaving the scene of an accident, and careless and imprudent driving. Property crimes include burglary, trespass, tampering, property damage, stealing, passing bad checks, stealing rental property, failure to pay taxes, misdemeanor drug cases, and county planning and zoning violations. White collar offenses include identity theft, embezzlement, and forgeries. The General Crimes Unit attorneys are:
MATTHEW A. RUSSELL - First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
Matthew joined the Greene County Prosecutor's Office in September 2003. Matthew received his undergraduate degree in 2000 from Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University), majoring in Political Science. Matthew received his Juris Doctorate from Creighton University in 2003, where he was a member of an award winning trial practice team. From September 2003 until March 2007, Matthew served in various positions in the prosecutor's office, including child support, traffic and crimes against persons. In March of 2007, Matthew left to work for a criminal defense firm in the Springfield area. In September 2007, Matthew returned to the Prosecutor's Office as an assistant prosecutor in the Major Crimes Unit. In that position, he prosecuted dangerous and career criminals with a focus on robberies and prior and persistent drug offenders. Matthew moved to the General Crimes Unit in 2009 in a supervisory capacity and handling burglary cases. In November of 2010 Matthew was promoted to First Assistant of the General Crimes Unit.
In addition to his official duties, Matthew is an instructor at the Springfield Police Academy as a POST certified instructor and at the Drury Academy. Matthew is an active member in Sunrise Rotary, Member of Class 24 of Leadership Springfield, on the Board of Directors for Leadership Springfield, on the Board of Directors for CASP and is vice-chair of Violence Free Families.
NHAN D. NGUYEN - Senior Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
Nhan joined the Greene County Prosecutor's Office in July of 2005. Nhan received his undergraduate degree in 1999 from the University of Kansas, with a major in Business Administration. In 2004, Nhan received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Kansas School of Law. Nhan began his prosecuting career in the General Crimes Unit where he prosecuted a variety of offenses. In 2007, Nhan became a member of the Major Crimes Unit and was assigned to handle the specialty courts. Both the DWI Court and Drug Court received national recognition while Nhan was the primary prosecutor handling those dockets. Nhan has tried a variety of jury trials including murder, assaults, robberies, and distribution of a controlled substance. Nhan currently serves as a senior assistant prosecutor in the General Crimes Unit where his duties including prosecuting felony cases and assisting in training our new prosecutors.
In addition to his official duties, Nhan is an instructor at the Springfield Police Academy as a POST certified instructor.
MATT ARENS - Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
Matt joined the Greene County Prosecutor's Office in October of 2010. Matt received his undergraduate degree from Missouri State University in 2004 with a degree in Computer Information Systems. He then attended the University of Missouri School of Law where he was an Associate Managing Editor for the Missouri Environmental Law and Public Policy Review. In 2010, Matt received his Juris Doctorate. Matt is currently representing our office on the Underage Drinking Task Force.
KEVIN LORENZ - Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
Kevin joined the Greene County Prosecutor's Office in November of 2010. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri in Political Science. Kevin attended the University of Missouri School of Law where he was a Dean's list student and a member of the Order of the Coif. He graduated cum laude with his Juris Doctorate in 2010. While in law school, Kevin received two CALI Awards for Future Excellence.
LINDSEY PHOENIX - Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
Lindsey joined the Greene County Prosecutor's Office in October of 2010. Lindsey is a Southwest Missouri native and graduate of Ozark High School. She attended Drury University where she received her undergraduate degrees in psychology and criminology in 2006. In 2010, Lindsey received her Juris Doctorate from the Saint Louis University School of Law, where she earned concentrations in both criminal and civil litigation. During her time at SLU, Lindsey coached the Phi Alpha Delta competition trial team, co-chaired the Diversity Council, served as Faculty Fellow to the Director of the Trial Advocacy program along with internships specializing in litigation. In her final year at SLU Law, Lindsey received the Milton F. Napier Award for Excellence and Potential in Litigation by the Lawyer's Association of Saint Louis.
NATHAN TAYLOR - Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
Nathan joined the Greene County Prosecutor's Office in January of 2011. Nathan received his undergraduate degree from Missouri State University with a degree in Business. Nathan attended the University of Tulsa School of Law where he was the Managing Editor of the Energy Law Journal and involved in moot court competitions. He received his Juris Doctorate in May of 2010.
KEVIN YOUNG - Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
Kevin joined the Greene County Prosecutor's Office in March of 2010. Kevin is a Southwest Missouri native from Marshfield who served in the Marines before going to law school. In 2006 Kevin received an undergraduate degree from Drury University in History. In 2009 Kevin received his Juris Doctorate from Regent University School of Law in Virginia Beach, Virginia. While in law school, Kevin was a senior editor of the Regent Journal for Law and Public Policy and served as the Legal Research and Writing Coordinator for the Regent University Moot Court Board. Kevin was also selected to be a student member of the James Kent Inn of Courts. Kevin is licensed to practice law in both Missouri and Virginia.
Before joining the General Crimes Team in January of 2011, Kevin worked with the Child Support Team.
