Three Texas County residents were arrested and numerous items were seized from the vehicle they were in – including a homemade bomb – after a traffic stop Tuesday in Licking.
Licking Police Department Chief Pat Burton said an officer conducted a traffic stop for a lighting violation at 9:20 p.m. along Old Salem Road. During the procedure, the officer smelled the odor of marijuana.
A search of the vehicle was conducted and the following items were located and seized:
•An improvised explosive device (IED).
•A camouflage-colored Remington AR-15 rifle reported stolen by the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department.
•Sixty prescription pills, identified as Clonazepam, a scheduled IV controlled substance.
•A plastic bag containing a crystal-like substance, which fielded tested positive for methamphetamine.
•Three brown/green disk-shaped objects consisting of a plant like material, believed to be a marijuana-based product.
•Multiple smoking devices for marijuana and meth.
Burton said the Missouri State Highway Patrol Bomb Squad was contacted and responded to the scene, where they took possession of the IED and rendered it safe.
Three people were arrested and taken to the Texas County Jail: The driver, Jason H. Pittman, 45, of Houston; and two passengers: Susan I. Gould, 34, of Licking, and Randy L. Prewett, 54, of Plato.
Burton said probable cause statements were sent to the county prosecutor seeking numerous charges against each suspect:
•Pittman: DWI-chronic (class C felony), three counts of class D felony possession of a controlled substance, unlawful for certain persons to possess a firearm (class D felony), armed criminal action (class D felony), unlawful possession of an explosive weapon (class D felony), receiving stolen property (class D felony), unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia – amphetamines or methamphetamines (class E felony), unlawful use of a weapon (class E felony), and misdemeanors of driving while revoked and no insurance. His bond was set at $150,000.
•Gould: Three counts of felony possession of a controlled substance, armed criminal action, unlawful possession of an explosive weapon, receiving stolen property and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia – amphetamines or methamphetamines. Her bond was set at $50,000.
•Prewett: Three counts of felony possession of a controlled substance, unlawful for certain persons to possess a firearm, armed criminal action, unlawful possession of an explosive weapon, receiving stolen property, third-degree assault – special victim (class D felony), unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia – amphetamines or methamphetamines, unlawful use of a weapon and misdemeanor possession of marijuana/synthetic cannabinoid. His bond was set at $250,000.