The first drug sweep in three decades led to the arrests of 40 citizens as part of the biggest one-day roundup in Texas County history.
According to the South Central Drug Task Force, which led the multi-agency effort Thursday morning, authorities served 68 felony warrants. Additionally, two misdemeanor marijuana and one felony probation and parole weapons violations arrests were made.
The arrests were for a variety of offenses involving the distribution, sales or possession of methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana and prescription medications. Bond was set at $350,000 per count. One person, Dawn Lord, 33, of Licking, had seven counts of distribution of a controlled substance, resulting in a $2.45 million bond.
Two suspects were arrested out of the area and transported back to Texas County, according to Lt. Melissa Dunn of the Texas County Sheriff’s Department. Adam Bryson, 26, of Houston was located in Greene County and returned Friday. Greg Vestal, 25, of Licking, was found in Newton, Kan., and returned Monday.
The arrests were the culmination of a three-year process. Dunn said local agencies provided information to the drug task force about potential offenders. An undercover agent with the task force then made a successful purchase from the person. Dunn said prosecutor Michael Anderson presented evidence from the investigation during a July 17 grand jury session –– the first in the county since 1938. It was called into session June 12 by Circuit Judge Tracy Storie.
When offenders arrived Thursday at the justice center for processing, Dunn said she was able to tell them the exact charge and date of the alleged offense from the respective warrant.
“The South Central Drug Task Force has thousands of man-hours invested in this investigation,” Dunn said.
All but two of those arrested were charged with distribution of a controlled substance, including 16 with multiple counts. The remaining charges were for distribution of less than five grams of marijuana and outstanding felony traffic warrants in Texas and Wright counties.
Because of the grand jury hearing, Dunn said defendants bypass associate court –– where arraignment and preliminary hearings take place –– and will appear Sept. 8 in front of a circuit judge.
“We didn’t expect 100 percent arrests, but what we were able to do was better than what we anticipated,” Dunn said. “Everyone worked together and didn’t give up. If someone wasn’t home, they’d talk to friends or neighbors and go find them. It was excellent coordination.”
Dunn said 68 officers met at 6 a.m. Thursday morning for a brief meeting. They left in groups of five arrest teams ¬¬–– each including a member of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, sheriff’s department and city police department from the county –– shortly after 6:30 a.m. The first offender arrived at the jail less than 20 minutes later. Offenders were initially processed inside the sally port at the justice center before they were taken inside for showers, fingerprints and mugshots.
Dunn said all available personnel –– from reserve and full-time deputies to kitchen staff –– assisted throughout the day. The additional bodies in the jail –– 95 total –– exceeded the building’s official capacity of 72 beds. But Dunn said there are an additional 12 holding cells as well as a dozen cots that had been previously purchased for these types of situations. She said some inmates slept on mattresses as well.
The sweep was the effort of multiple agencies. It included representatives from the task force, sheriff’s department, highway patrol, Houston Police Department, Cabool Police Department, Licking Police Department, Summersville Police Department and Mountain Grove Police Department.
“It shows what a team effort by all the agencies in the county can accomplish,” Dunn said.
The county’s last drug sweep was conducted June 13, 1991, and resulted in 39 arrests under sheriff John Vandiver. Suspects were processed at the former Houston City Hall and moved one block east to the jail. Because the old jail only held 22 male and two female prisoners, many offenders were transferred to neighboring counties due to a lack of space.
Storie calls grand jury into action
The order for the grand jury was signed just over two months earlier by Storie.
According to documents, it met July 17 at the Texas County Circuit Court to hear evidence that resulted in indictments and Thursday’s roundup of those sought.
Grand juries have rarely been used in Texas County, long-time attorneys and records show. In 1955 there was talk that one would be called. Before that, the last time a grand jury heard evidence was 1938.
Under the judge’s order, the board of jury commissioners meets, selects and summons jurors to appear to hear the evidence –– gathered by the South Central Drug Task Force.
Charges are mere accusations and are not evidence of guilt, the patrol said. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
Here are those arrested and their charges, according to the sheriff’s department.
––Jerry W. Bolden, 61, Houston, two counts of distribution of a controlled substance.
––Christina M. Villarreal, 24, Houston, distribution of a controlled substance.
––Theresa Villarreal, 44, Houston, two counts of distribution of a controlled substance.
––Evelyn Klein, age 38, Bucyrus, two counts of distribution of a controlled substance.
––Karen Katzman, 57, Licking, distribution of a controlled substance.
––Cassadie Washburn, 20, Houston, distribution of a controlled substance.
––Jennifer Royal, 24, Licking, four counts of distribution of a controlled substance.
––Wendy Sullins, 33, Licking, two counts of distribution of a controlled substance.
––Carrie Stafford, 33, Mountain Grove, distribution of a controlled substance.
––Greg Vestal, 25, Licking, three counts of distribution of a controlled substance.
––Tim Stewart, 29, Norwood, distribution of a controlled substance.
––Michael Wilder, 48, Licking, two counts of distribution of a controlled substance.
––James Wakenight, 32, Bucyrus, distribution of a controlled substance.
––Candice Mitchell, 40, Raymondville, distribution of a controlled substance.
––Dawn Lord, 33, Licking, seven counts of distribution of a controlled substance.
––James Reid, 64, Cabool, distribution of a controlled substance.
––Michael Sullins, 41, Licking, distribution of a controlled substance.
––William Keller, 27, Bucyrus, two counts of distribution of a controlled substance.
––Christine White, 44, Raymondville, distribution of a controlled substance.
––Jesse Houston, 25, Bucyrus, distribution of a controlled substance.
––Thomas McGuire, age 50, Raymondville, two counts of distribution of a controlled substance.
––Christopher Mitchell, 30, Mountain Grove, three counts of distribution of a controlled substance.
––Craig Porter, 43, Edgar Springs, distribution of a controlled substance.
––Arthur Huffman, 35, Cabool, distribution of more than five grams of marijuana.
––Robert Korbus, 52, Licking, distribution of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.
––James J. Woolsey, 22, Summersville, distribution of a controlled substance.
––Brandon Duneske, 34, Licking, two counts of distribution of a controlled substance.
––Jo Anne Korbus, 55, Licking, distribution of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.
––Hal Wallace, 39, Cabool, two counts of distribution of a controlled substance.
––Deeann Morris, 31, Licking, four counts of distribution of a controlled substance.
––Robin Shelton, 30, Cabool, distribution of a controlled substance.
––Dalton Backues, 21, Licking, four counts of distribution of a controlled substance.
––Matthew Young, 31, Houston, two counts of distribution of a controlled substance.
––Douglas Reeves, 39, Licking, distribution of a controlled substance.
––Christina Brotherton, 41, Licking, two counts of distribution of a controlled substance.
––Jeff Mabrey, 41, Houston, distribution of a controlled substance.
––Jessica Brown, 28, Mountain Grove, distribution of a controlled substance.
–Adam Bryson, 26, Houston, distribution of a controlled substance.
––Tim Sullins, 32, Licking, outstanding felony traffic warrants in Texas and Wright counties.
–Kay L. Stalder, 48, Mountain Grove, distribution of a controlled substance.