3 face charges after attempted jon boat heist thwarted while in progress

UPDATE: Stimelsky pleaded guilty on May 1, 2025. A judge sentenced Stimelsky to a five-year suspended sentence.

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LAFAYETTE CO., Mo. (KCTV) - Three individuals are behind bars after an alleged scheme to steal multiple boats from a Lafayette County property was thwarted while it was in progress.

Lafayette County, Missouri, Circuit Court records filed on Sunday, March 30, indicate that Zachary J. Stewart, 35, of Odessa, Ashley D. Stimelsky, 38, and Layne A. Christian, 51, both of Lexington, have been charged after multiple boats went missing from a rural property.

A probable cause statement filed by the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office revealed that just after 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, law enforcement officials were called to a property in a rural part of the county with reports of a theft. The caller reported that a red truck and trailer entered the property and left with multiple jon boats.

As law enforcement officials responded, they said they spotted the suspect vehicle and stopped the driver, later identified as Christian. Stimelsky and Stewart were found in the enger seats of the truck. During the stop, Christian told investigators he had purchased the boats, however, no one in the vehicle could say who from.

The victim confirmed to law enforcement officials that the boats had not been for sale. All three suspects were then taken into custody.

As a result, all three have been charged with stealing a watercraft. If convicted, they could all spend up to 14 years in prison and be forced to pay an up to $20,000 fine each.

A court appearance has been scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 10. As of Friday, April 4, Stewart, Christian and Stimelsky remain in custody on a $25,000 bond each.

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