Terroristic Threats, Third Degree Domestic Assault, Child Abuse/Neglect

DATE & TIME: 03-13-2018 @ 1244

LOCATION: 411 East 1^st Street, Blue Springs      

OFFENSE: Terroristic Threats, Third Degree Domestic Assault, Child Abuse/Neglect

CASE #: 2018-1042

On Tuesday, 03-13-2018, at approximately 12:44 pm, the Gage County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to Southern Elementary School in Blue Springs for an assault report. The victim had been advised to go to the elementary school to report a domestic assault by 36-year-old Roy J. Forney of Blue Springs, Nebraska. Deputies and an investigator arrived at the school and met with the principal and counselor who informed them the victim was in their office, but the whereabouts of the suspect were unknown, however he lived in Blue Springs.

The principal placed the school in a “Lock Out” and the Gage County Sheriff’s Office advised Southeast Communications, who received authorization from the sheriff’s office to notify subscribers of the lockout. The lockout notification involved an automated call to Wymore and Blue Springs residents who had signed up for notifications and alerts. The students and staff were not threatened and the lockdown was done as a precautionary measure, since the suspect’s intentions and location were unknown. The lockdown lasted less than a half hour and was lifted when the suspect was arrested.

One of the Gage County Sheriff’s Office investigators interviewed the victim at the school about the incident. She stated she is in a domestic relationship with the suspect and he has fathered two children with her. She said that over the past few weeks he has repeatedly beaten her, punched her in the stomach, legs, hips, and the top of her head. He would also violently clasp his hands across her mouth, causing her lips and gums to be cut on her teeth. There was evidence of numerous injuries to the victim all over her body and face.

She also reported he repeatedly threatened to kill her, including burning her and would light a cigarette lighter then hold it next to her head and hair. The victim was terrified Roy Forney would kill or seriously harm her or the children, since he had recently been attempting to acquire a firearm, had made several statements about killing her while she was abused and beaten, and he would hold a cigarette lighter flame close to her hair when making threats. The suspect would assault the victim at their home and in front of their children.

Another Gage County Sheriff’s Office investigator worked with the Beatrice Police Department while the victim was being interviewed and the suspect, Roy Forney, was located in a vehicle near 14^th and Grant Streets in Beatrice. A Beatrice police officer stopped the vehicle and temporarily detained Forney. 

The Gage County Sheriff’s Office investigator who was interviewing the victim determined there was probable cause to arrest Forney for domestic assault and terroristic threats and advised other deputies of the establishment of probable cause. Forney was placed under arrest and transported to the Gage County Sheriff’s Office and booked into the jail.

Further information developed during this investigation revealed the victim had been spotted at the Blue Springs post office that morning with numerous injuries. A family member of the victim was contacted who picked up the victim to get her to safety and brought her to Southern Elementary School and the Gage County Sheriff’s Office was then notified.

Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson #903

Investigator T. Hanson #90310

Deputy R. Sandersfeld #9032

Deputy J. Chavez #9036

Investigator M. Ernst #90315