Parma’s ex-mayor sentenced to 10 years

Standard Democrat

NEW MADRID, Mo. — A former official of a small New Madrid County community was found guilty of committing a felony while in office.

Tyus Byrd entered a guilty plea to receiving stolen property while serving as mayor of Parma from April 14, 2015, to April 16, 2019.

Byrd was sentenced to 10 years in prison and ordered to make restitution of $58,530 by New Madrid County Circuit Judge Josh Underwood on Aug. 8. Execution of the jail sentence was suspended, and she was placed on five years supervised probation.

One count of receiving stolen property and two counts of forgery against Byrd were dismissed.

Byrd was one of three former Parma city officials who were charged in 2020 following a lengthy investigation by state auditors and the New Madrid County Sheriff’s Department. The audit found a total of $115,582 was misappropriated by members of the city of Parma’s staff through overpayments of payroll, improper purchases and improper utility adjustments.

Also charged in the investigation were Helen Jean Frye, the town’s city clerk from 2015 to 2019, and David L. Thatch, who was serving as Parma’s water superintendent in 2019.

Last December, Frye entered a guilty plea to a felony charge of stealing. The New Madrid County Circuit Court ordered her to pay restitution of $37,626 to the city and she was sentenced to seven years in prison, which was suspended.

Thatch’s case is set for trial on Jan. 22, 2024.