OSAGE COUNTY — Alex M. Stieffermann, of Linn, who allegedly assaulted two Osage County detention officers in October 2023 during an escape attempt, was declared mentally unfit to stand trial last Wednesday,

Circuit Court Judge Ryan Helfrich ordered the mental health examination on April 26, 2024. On June 21, the judge denied a request for a 90-day extension in completing the examination, citing the “defendant is currently incarcerated and has been for an extended period of time. A slight delay in preparation of the report is acceptable; however, a delay of 90 days, as requested, is denied.”

On July 10, the judge granted a request by the Missouri Department of Mental Health and Fulton State Hospital for a 30-day extension to complete the evaluation. The case was continued on Aug. 29, 2024, and Oct. 2, 2024, and again on Jan. 8, 2025, until Judge Helfrich signed the commitment order on March 5.

The order requires the Department of Mental Health to direct the Sheriff’s Office within 30 days as to where to transport the defendant, and to conduct an examination within six months to determine whether the Stieffermann is mentally fit to proceed or whether he is likely to attain mental fitness in the foreseeable future. A written report of the examination is to be filed with the clerk of the court within 30 days of completion.

This order applies to all five current cases against Stieffermann.

• On May 27, 2023, Stieffermann was charged with stealing - motor vehicle/watercraft/aircraft and stealing, for allegedly stealing a red Lincoln MKZ, a purse and a cell phone.

• On June 22, 2023, he was charged with first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle, first-degree property damage, for allegedly stealing a black 2023 Chevrolet Silverado, unlawfully entering a building for the purpose of stealing, and causing significant damage to the truck while driving erratically at high speeds to avoid law enforcement, and second-degree burglary.

• On June 23, 2023,Stieffermann was charged with damage to jail/jail property, for allegedly destroying a bed mat.

• On Sept. 14, 2023, he was charged with first-degree tampering with motor vehicle, following the alleged theft of a 2021 red Toyota Corolla from the State Tech Vehicle Power Center, and second-degree burglary. Judge Brandt issued a no-bond warrant for his arrest at that time.

• On Oct. 29, 2023, Stieffermann was charged with second-degree escape or attempted escape from confinement with deadly weapon, dangerous instrument, or by holding hostage, assault (special victim) for escaping from the Osage County Detention Center, and two counts of fourth-degree assault pursuant to subdivision (special victims) for injuring detention officers. Judge Brandt issued a second no-bond arrest warrant.

“He initiated the assault on our officers during a routine procedure,” said Sheriff Mike Bonham after the escape and subsequent capture, adding that once Stieffermann reached the outside, he stripped off his county jumpsuit and fled naked on foot.

911 Dispatch issued a notice of the escape to the citizens of Linn as a manhunt ensued for approximately three hours.

A citizen reported a suspicious person walking down 10th Street in Linn, and deputies quickly flooded the area “heavily,” according to Sheriff Bonham. “It was all hands on deck,” he added.

Stieffermann was apprehended within the Linn city limits around midnight. Deputies took him into custody without incident.

All five cases were bound over from Associate Court to Circuit Court in the first few months of 2024, and transferred from Judge Brandt to Judge Helfrich.

At this time, Stieffermann’s cases are scheduled for plea/trial setting on April 2; however, it seems likely the cases will be continued pending the results of his evaluation.

Stieffermann has a prior conviction for felony theft on June 13, 2012, and a conviction for second-degree burglary (SIS) on Feb. 10, 2021. However, the court revoked the defendant’s probation after an Oct. 25, 2021, conviction on misdemeanor theft.