A Platte County jury convicted Donald Lee Elbert II, a previously convicted Federal child sex trafficker, of multiple violent and drug-related felonies following a five-day trial.
Elbert, 40, was found guilty on October 3 of sodomy in the first degree, domestic assault in the first degree, delivery of a controlled substance, and two counts of possession of a controlled substance. The convictions stem from a violent assault against a 30-year-old woman in Parkville in November 2024.
Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd said, “This man forcibly sodomized and brutally assaulted a 30-year old woman in their home on November 24, 2024.”
Elbert
The woman, who was Elbert’s partner, went to the hospital two days after the assault and was found to have 29 separate bruises all over various parts of her body. She also reported previous assaults, including an incident in which her nose was ‘split-open’ after being thrown into a nightstand weeks earlier.
During her hospital visit, the woman described what happened to her and had a sexual assault nursing examination completed. During that interview, law enforcement also learned about the existence of illegal narcotics at the residence and applied for a search warrant.
During the execution of those search warrants, blood was found on the nightstand that was later determined by the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Crime Laboratory to be consistent with the victim’s blood.
A large amount of methamphetamine was found, along with a smaller amount of fentanyl and cocaine. Digital scales, razor blades, and dozens of small Ziploc-type baggies were also found. Narcotics were found beside the defendant’s bed, as well as in the defendant’s truck, along with his driver’s license.
At trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Elbert had two prior felony convictions, qualifying him as a persistent felony offender and subjecting him to enhanced punishment.
“Individuals with repeated serious felony convictions who continue to commit violent crimes must face the full measure of justice,” Zahnd said. “Make no mistake, my office will pursue the strongest possible sentence to ensure this defendant never harms another person again.”
Because Elbert was found to be a prior and persistent offender, Judge Ann Hansbrough is the sole authority on his ultimate sentence. He faces up to life imprisonment, and Zahnd said his office would seek that sentence.
The case was investigated by the Platte County Sheriff’s Office, the Wichita (Kansas) Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol Crime Laboratory.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Zachary McKnight and First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Mark Gibson.