Lebanon Man Held Without Bond Following Series of New Charges

A Lebanon man with multiple previous felony convictions is being held without bond following a series of new criminal cases filed over the past several weeks, including allegations that he struck a woman with a vehicle and later fled from the Laclede County Sheriff.

Daniel Brian Severance II is facing charges in three separate cases involving incidents in August and September.

Lebanon Now reviewed the complaints, probable cause statements, warrants and court records connected to the cases.

The most serious charges stem from an alleged domestic violence incident Sept. 10.

Severance is charged with first-degree domestic assault involving serious physical injury, armed criminal action, leaving the scene of an accident involving physical injury and fourth-degree domestic assault.

According to the Laclede County Sheriff’s Office probable cause statement, deputies were called to State Highway 5 at approximately 3:38 p.m. for a report of a vehicle striking a pedestrian.

The reporting party told authorities they witnessed a man run into and then run over a woman with a black Honda.

When deputies arrived, investigators said the woman initially denied being struck by a vehicle. Deputies reported finding dried grass in her hair and on her clothing. She was evaluated by Mercy paramedics and cleared at the scene.

Investigators continued looking into what happened.

A witness told investigators they saw the Honda strike the woman as she walked in the ditch. The witness stopped to help and reported that the driver then attempted to pick the woman up and appeared to be attempting to put her into the vehicle before another person intervened.

Investigators Say Video Captured Incident

According to court documents, investigators also obtained surveillance video they say captured portions of the incident.

Investigators allege the video shows Severance and the woman at a storage facility shortly before the Highway 5 incident.

According to the investigator’s description, Severance ran toward the woman and head butted her on the right side of her face.

Investigators say Severance later left in the Honda and encountered the woman as she walked nearby.

The probable cause statement alleges Severance stopped the Honda in front of her, backed toward her while driving erratically and then struck her with enough force that she rolled into the ditch.

The Honda then left the area.

Court documents show the woman initially denied being struck and denied Severance’s involvement.

When investigators contacted her again Sept. 15, they reported seeing her arm in a cast. The following day, investigators spoke with another person who reported the woman had been taken to Mercy Urgent Care in Lebanon, where it was determined her right arm was broken.

Investigators also reported bruising around one of her upper eyelids.

Severance denied involvement when contacted by investigators Sept. 14 and said his son had borrowed the Honda.

According to the probable cause statement, a witness later identified Severance from a six-person photo lineup.

Sheriff Says Severance Fled Into Gasconade River

Eight days later, Severance became the subject of another criminal case.

According to a probable cause statement filed by Laclede County Sheriff Matt Frederick, the sheriff went to Hazelgreen Access off Route 66 near Richland on Sept. 18 while searching for Severance on active felony warrants.

Frederick reported finding a Chevrolet pickup under the third bridge and recognizing Severance standing nearby.

When Frederick told Severance he was under arrest, Severance allegedly ran toward the woods.

Frederick said he pursued Severance approximately 100 yards to the Gasconade River. Severance allegedly jumped into the river and continued swimming toward the opposite side.

According to the statement, Severance turned around and said, “I ain’t going back to jail.”

Frederick said he repeatedly ordered Severance to return, but Severance continued across the river, entered the woods and escaped apprehension.

Investigators reported finding a loaded .22-caliber pistol near where Severance had been standing. The firearm allegedly contained an eight-round magazine and one round in the chamber. A box of .22-caliber ammunition was also reportedly found inside the pickup.

Because of Severance’s previous felony convictions, prosecutors allege he was prohibited from possessing a firearm.

He was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, a Class C felony, and resisting arrest, a Class E felony.

Frederick also wrote in the probable cause statement that Severance allegedly made a statement indicating he was willing to die by “suicide by cop.” The sheriff cited the alleged firearm possession and flight from law enforcement as reasons he believed Severance posed a danger to the community.

Separate Drug Case Began Weeks Earlier

Severance was already facing another criminal case when the September incidents allegedly occurred.

That case began with an Aug. 24 traffic stop in Conway.

According to court documents, officers stopped a black Honda on West Jefferson Avenue and Severance consented to searches of himself and the vehicle.

An officer reported finding a glass smoking device containing a crystalline substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine.

According to the probable cause statement, Severance told officers he had “relapsed that day” and said the smoking device was the only contraband he possessed.

Severance was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

He posted bond.

Court records show Severance was arraigned Sept. 9 and entered a not guilty plea. That was one day before the alleged domestic assault involving the vehicle. The drug case remains pending.

Previous Felony Convictions

Court records reviewed by Lebanon Now also show Severance has a criminal history dating back more than a decade.

Unlike the current charges, these are previous convictions, not pending allegations.

Records identify convictions including second-degree assault in 2012, second-degree burglary and possession of a controlled substance in 2015, and several additional felony convictions in 2021.

Those 2021 convictions include delivery of a controlled substance, resisting arrest or detention by fleeing and creating a substantial risk of serious injury or death, tampering with a motor vehicle and possession of a controlled substance.

Court records also show Severance pleaded guilty to multiple counts of third-degree assault involving a special victim.

Records show sentences ranging from three years on the 2012 assault conviction to 10 years on the 2021 controlled substance delivery conviction.

In November 2021, Severance received seven year Missouri Department of Corrections sentences on multiple third degree assault charges involving special victims. Those sentences were ordered to run concurrently with each other and with a sentence he was already serving.

Prosecutors are citing Severance’s previous felony convictions in the current cases and are seeking enhanced punishment on some of the new charges.

Held Without Bond

Severance is currently being held without bond in connection with the Sept. 10 case.

Judge Larry Winfrey found that monetary and non-monetary conditions would not adequately secure the safety of the community or another person.

Severance is scheduled for a bond appearance hearing at 1:30 p.m. today, Sept. 28, before Judge Winfrey in Laclede County Circuit Court.

The court calendar describes the proceeding as a “7 day bond hearing/counsel status.”

The hearing is not a trial and will not determine Severance’s guilt on the pending charges.

Lebanon Now will continue following these cases as they move through Laclede County Circuit Court.

Severance’s previous convictions are established court records. The charges filed against him in the August and September 2026 cases remain allegations, and Severance is presumed innocent on those charges unless and until proven guilty in court.