News Release



For further information please contact:

Sgt. Jason Clark

(573) 522-0980

DDCC-0406-100

April 28, 2006



EMPHASIS: Two Suspects Arrested In Murder Investigation







Captain Ron Replogle, director of the Division of Drug and Crime Control, announces the arrests of two suspects on April 28, 2006, in the murder investigation of Sergio Burgos Gonzales.



On April 22, 2006, the body of a Hispanic male was located in Mississippi County, MO, near East Prairie. There was no identification on the body. However, he was later identified as Sergio Burgos Gonzalez, a 36-year-old Hispanic male from Edinburg, Texas. Mr. Gonzalez had been shot multiple times. Further investigation revealed Mr. Gonzalez had been involved in illegal drug trafficking to the area. A joint investigation is being conducted by the Mississippi County Sheriff’s Department, Mississippi County Coroner’s Office, New Madrid County Sheriff’s Department, Ste. Genevieve County Sheriff’s Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Texas law enforcement agencies, Tennessee law enforcement agencies, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control.



Investigators have been able to determine the homicide occurred in New Madrid County, Missouri, in the Village of Rainbow City, and the victim’s body had been dumped at the Mississippi County location. Thus far, two suspects have been charged in the crime. Michael D. Meador, a 25-year-old man from Ste. Genevieve has been charged in New Madrid County with Murder 1st degree, Tampering with Physical Evidence, and Trafficking in Drugs in the Second Degree. He is being held in the New Madrid County Jail, with no bond. Dennis Dinwiddie a 28-year-old male, of Louisville, KY, has been charged in New Madrid County with Murder 1st degree and Armed Criminal Action. Mr. Dinwiddie is in custody with no bond. The investigation is continuing, and further arrests are expected.



Without the cooperation and extensive efforts of the above named law enforcement agencies, these investigative results would not be possible. Anyone with additional information regarding the homicide should call the New Madrid County Sheriff’s Department at 573-748-2516.



The above charges are mere accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence of guilt in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.