On October 2, deputies were dispatched to Montgomery County Middle School for a report of possible child abuse. During the investigation deputies learned the child’s father had been physically abusing him leaving bruises on his neck, stomach, back and legs. The father had also recently threatened to put the child in the hospital. The suspect was later arrested and transported to the MC Jail. He was charged with child abuse, endangering the welfare of a child, armed criminal action and domestic assault.

On October 5, deputies stopped a vehicle in the New Florence area for failing to use a turn signal. During the traffic stop deputies determined the driver and passenger were unlawfully present in the United States. Deputies contacted ICE and were instructed to take both individuals into custody for immigration violations. The driver was transported to the MC Jail and charged with operating a motor vehicle without a license. The driver was also held on an immigration detainer. The passenger was transported to an immigration detention facility by a 287(g) officer.

Also on October 5, deputies stopped a vehicle for speeding in the Wellsville area. During the traffic stop, deputies observed signs of impairment and asked the driver to exit the vehicle. The driver refused and began resisting when deputies attempted to assist her out of the vehicle. She then fled in the vehicle and deputies successfully deployed a spike strip, deflating the vehicle’s tires. The driver continued south on Highway 19 with deputies in pursuit. During the pursuit the driver called 911 and asked dispatch to tell deputies to turn off their emergency lights, stating she was going home and was not breaking any laws. The vehicle eventually stopped at the driver’s residence in Montgomery City. When deputies attempted to remove her from the vehicle she resisted, kicking and flailing her arms. Deputies were able to restrain her and she was transported to the hospital for evaluation before being taken to the MC Jail. Based on evidence found in the vehicle and statements from family members, deputies obtained a search warrant for the driver’s bedroom. During the search deputies located approximately 2.3 grams of methamphetamine, glass smoking devices, baggies and a scale, with the latter items consistent with the distribution of methamphetamine. The driver was subsequently charged with aggravated fleeing, delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting arrest, assault special victim, driving while intoxicated, exceeding the speed limit and misuse of 911.

On October 8, Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 100 block of Strube Road near New Florence for a report of trespassing. The reporting party observed individuals wearing camouflage walking on their property through images captured by a deer camera. Deputies searched the area but were unable to locate them. Deputies responded to another report of trespassing in the 300 block of South Highway 19 near New Florence. Two individuals wearing camouflage had been observed on the property. One reportedly received a ride from the area, while the other left on foot. When deputies approached the individual on foot, he fled into a wooded area. Deputies pursued him and later located the other individual who had received a ride. Information obtained during the investigation allowed deputies to identify the fleeing subject and determine that he had an outstanding no-bond warrant through the U.S. Marshals Service for weapons related charges with nationwide extradition. Deputies established a perimeter and the Sheriff’s Office Drone Pilot searched the heavily wooded area. Air Support was also from the Missouri State Highway Patrol. During the search a property owner’s deer camera captured the wanted subject in the 100 block of Strube Road. Law enforcement repositioned the perimeter and a Missouri State Highway Patrol aircraft located the subject lying along a tree line south of a pond. Deputies and troopers pursued the subject on foot through steep, heavily wooded terrain. Although officers lost sight of him, the perimeter remained in place. During the search deputies located the subject’s personal bag containing a large quantity of ginseng.

Additional assistance arrived from Missouri State Highway Patrol K9 and Drone Division, along with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and K9 “Ace.” A short time later Missouri State Highway Patrol Drone and Aircraft Crews located the subject hiding in a tree. Officers, including a K9 team, surrounded the tree. The subject, who was wearing a full ghillie suit, was taken into custody without further incident. The subject, a 52 year old man from Kansas City, Missouri, was transported to the Montgomery County Jail on the outstanding warrant, pending application for additional charges of: multiple counts of first-degree trespassing, felony resisting arrest. The Missouri Department of Conservation seized the ginseng and is investigating potential violations involving possession limits and harvesting without a permit. Additional charges may be sought following that investigation. WE THANK YOU FOR ASSISTING AGENCIES: Missouri State Highway Patrol Troops F and B, Missouri State Highway Patrol Aircraft, Drone and K9 Divisions, Missouri Department of Conservation, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and K9 “Ace” and Montgomery County Joint Communications. We also thank the property owners who provided timely information and deer camera images that helped law enforcement locate the subject. This coordinated effort was instrumental in bringing the search to a safe conclusion.