Several area residents have been charged with drug-related felonies in Benton County, some with the aid of a Pettis County K-9.
Benton County Sheriff Eric Knox says, “I want to start this out with a shout out to the Pettis County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Moore and his partner K-9 Cav. We appreciate your willingness to help us bring justice to our community when it comes to fleeing felons.”
A release from Knox says on January 14, the Mid-Missouri Drug Task Force and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office served a narcotics search warrant on Hi Lonesome Road, a rural Cole Camp residence. This warrant was a culmination of weeks of investigation and perseverance from the drug task force. Four suspects were arrested upon entry to the residence- 33-year-old Kimberly A. Dickinson, of the residence and 42-year-old Bobby D. Johnson, of Sedalia, are charged with possessing approximately 73 grams of suspected methamphetamine, drug trafficking in the second degree and tampering with physical evidence. Both suspects are on probation for previous drug offenses, and bond for each was set at $10,000 cash or surety.
James R. Schull Jr., age 36, of Marshall, and 30-year-old Betty A. Hern, of Malta Bend, were charged with possessing approximately 103 grams of suspected methamphetamine. Schull also was on probation for previous drug charges and a charge for a felon possessing a firearm. In addition, Schull had a warrant for unlawful use of a weapon from Pettis County with a bond of $8,000. Each is charged with trafficking drugs in the second degree- Schull with a $20,000 and Hern with a $10,000 cash or surety bond.
Deputies discovered there was a fifth suspect that fled on foot upon the arrival of law enforcement. Pettis County Deputy Moore and his K-9 partner responded to the scene and immediately picked up the scent of 32-year-old Randall A. Wilson, of Marshall. K-9 Cav led law enforcement to discarded clothing and a measurable amount of suspected methamphetamine. Wilson later was recovered three miles away and taken into custody without incident. Wilson was transported to the Benton County Jail, where additional narcotics were discovered, secreted on his person, inside the facility. Wilson also was on probation for previous drug offenses and charged with multiple offenses relating to his involvement, as well as possessing approximately 10 grams of suspected methamphetamine. Wilson’s bond is set at $10,000 cash or surety.
On Monday, January 24, Deputy Moore and his partner were once again instrumental in the apprehension of 44-year-old Lawrence A. Cole, of Warsaw. While patrolling in the area of Brushy Chapel and AC Highway, Benton County Deputies encountered a stolen pickup truck, which fled when a traffic stop was initiated. Cole led deputies on a chase all over central Benton County, ending on McDaniel Road after a successful deployment of spike strips on Route BB. Cole fled on foot. Deputy Moore and K-9 Cav once again deployed and tracked Cole into a heavily wooded area, where he was discovered over 30 feet up in a tree. Cole was taken into custody without further incident. Cole, a persistent offender, had multiple arrest warrants from Benton County and also is charged with the stolen vehicle, drug charges and fleeing from law enforcement. Cole is being held in the Benton County Jail on no-bond warrants.
Photo courtesy the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.