A federal grand jury in St. Louis has indicted Curtis Lee Barton, 40, of Arkansas, on charges related to a series of burglaries at more than 20 rural schools and businesses across Missouri and Iowa. The indictment includes one count of conspiracy to transport stolen property in interstate commerce and three counts of interstate transportation of stolen property.
According to the indictment, Barton and a co-conspirator stole at least $50,000 between May 2023 and April 2025. Some funds taken from schools were reportedly intended for impoverished children and the Special Olympics.
The document outlines specific incidents, including the theft of about $5,752 from a school in Lewistown on February 25, 2025; approximately $13,000 from a Brookfield school on April 22, 2025; $4,000 from a Shelbyville school on April 26, 2025; and an additional $1,000 from a safe in an Adair County school that same day.
The indictment alleges that Barton researched both his targets and local law enforcement agencies beforehand. He is accused of breaking into schools during nighttime hours to avoid detection.
"Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty."
The FBI collaborated with the Wapello County (Iowa) Sheriff’s Office in investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Wiseman is prosecuting.
