Vault File #001
- John Eads
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Winfield Mayor Altercation
Incident Date: December 20, 2025
Location: Playoffs II, Winfield, Missouri
Agency: Lincoln County Sheriff's Office
File Number: 001
Records Published: July 19, 2026
Status: Complete Investigation Archive
File Contents | |
Evidence | Quantity |
Lincoln CountyWatch Articles | 5 |
Trailer / Overview Video | 1 |
Surveillance Videos | 4 |
Body-Worn Camera Videos | 5 |
Sheriff's Investigative File | 1 |
Witness Statements | 1 Collection |
Probable Cause Statements | 6 Documents |
CAD Incident Log | 1 |
Supplemental Investigation Reports | 1 Collection |
Investigative Interviews | 1 Collection |
Investigation Summary
On December 20, 2025, an altercation outside Playoffs II in Winfield resulted in a law enforcement investigation involving public officials, off-duty police officers, business employees and private citizens. In the weeks and moDeputies to nths that followed, questions surrounding the incident led to extensive public interest and requests for additional records.
Through Missouri Sunshine Law requests and other public sources, Lincoln CountyWatch obtained investigative reports, body-worn camera recordings, surveillance video, witness statements, probable cause documents and related records connected to the investigation.
This Vault File serves as a permanent archive of those materials. Rather than relying solely on summaries or excerpts, readers can review the available records, examine the evidence and follow the investigation through the original documents and recordings.
Some portions of these recordings were redacted by the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office prior to release in accordance with Missouri law.
Play-Offs Surveillance Video
Patio Camera — Segment 1
One of several video segments recorded from the exterior patio surveillance camera.
Patio Camera — Segment 2
Continuation of the exterior patio surveillance recording from the same camera location.
Patio Camera — Segment 3
Continuation of the exterior patio surveillance recording.
Patio Camera — Segment 4
Final available segment from the exterior patio surveillance recording.
Parking Lot Camera
Captures activity occurring within the parking lot and surrounding exterior areas.
Body-Worn Camera Recordings
The following body-worn camera recordings were released by the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office in response to a Missouri Sunshine Law request. Each recording represents the perspective of one responding deputy during the investigation.
Some recordings overlap in time and document the same events from different viewpoints.
Body-Worn Camera Recording 1
One of five body-worn camera recordings documenting the law enforcement response to the December 20, 2025 incident outside Playoffs II in Winfield. This recording captures portions of the initial response and investigative activities conducted at the scene.
Body-Worn Camera Recording 2
This recording provides an additional responding deputy's perspective as the investigation continued. It contains interactions with individuals at the scene and documents ongoing law enforcement activities.
Body-Worn Camera Recording 3
A supplemental body-worn camera recording documenting additional interviews, scene observations, and investigative efforts during the response.
Body-Worn Camera Recording 4
This recording captures additional investigative activity and scene management as deputies continued gathering information following the altercation.
Body-Worn Camera Recording 5
The fifth and final body-worn camera recording released as part of this investigation. It provides additional footage from the scene and serves as supplemental documentation of the law enforcement response.
About These Records
The records contained within this Vault File were obtained through Missouri Sunshine Law requests and other public sources.
Some materials were released with redactions applied by the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office in accordance with Missouri law.
Lincoln CountyWatch has applied additional limited redactions to certain records to protect sensitive personal information, including personal identifying information and information that is not necessary for public understanding of this investigation. These additional redactions do not alter the substance of the records or the events documented.
Documents are presented for informational purposes as part of the public record. Statements contained within investigative records reflect the accounts of the individuals interviewed and should not be interpreted as independently verified facts unless otherwise established by the evidence.
Sheriff's Office Investigation
Investigative Narrative & Reports
The primary investigative reports documenting the Sheriff's Office investigation, evidence collected and investigative findings.
Witness Statements
Statements obtained from witnesses interviewed during the investigation.
These statements reflect each witness's account of the events and may differ in certain details.
Probable Cause Statements
Probable cause statements prepared during the investigation.
Includes statements relating to:
Nicole Hanson
Ben Freet
Dwayne Lewis
Kaitlyn Young
Where multiple versions of a probable cause statement exist, each version has been included.
Ben Freet
Dwayne Lewis
Nicole Hanson
Kaitlyn Young
CAD Incident Log
The Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) log documenting the initial emergency response, dispatch activity and responding units.
Lincoln CountyWatch Reporting Archive
Throughout the investigation, Lincoln CountyWatch published multiple articles as new information became available. Presented below in chronological order, these stories document how the investigation evolved—from the initial report through the release of public records and subsequent reporting.
Winfield Bar Disturbance Involving Mayor and Off-Duty Officers Under Prosecutor Review
Lincoln CountyWatch's initial coverage of the incident following confirmation that the case had been submitted for prosecutorial review. Published January 20, 2026.
Inside the Chaos at Playoffs II: The Midnight Brawl That Involved Winfield’s Mayor and Two Off-Duty Officers
A reconstruction of the events leading up to and during the altercation based on investigative records, surveillance footage and witness statements.
Behind Closed Doors: The Investigation and City Hall Shakeup
Examines the administrative response, City Hall actions and developments following the investigation.
(BONUS) Did The Conflict End At The County Line? Was St. Charles County Truly Independent?
Reviews the decision to refer the case for outside prosecutorial review and examines questions surrounding that process.
Winfield Mayor Breaks Silence On Playoffs Incident, Talks Rebuilding Trust And City's Future
An interview discussing the incident, public reaction and her perspective on rebuilding trust moving forward.
Published: July 19, 2026
Records Current As Of: July 19, 2026
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