News Release



For further information please contact:

Trooper Rich Ferrari (573) 881-1035



DDCC-0605

June 25, 2005



EMPHASIS: Drug Arrests -- Callaway County



Captain Ron Replogle, Director of the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control announces the arrest of Michael R. Sullivan, 41, of Louisville, KY and Joesph C. Seidl, 40, of Sebree, KY for Drug Trafficking, 1st Degree.



Both subjects were in a vehicle stopped on I-70 and U.S. 54 on Friday, June 24, 2005, at approximately 11:30 p.m. for speeding and lane violations by Corporal T.R. Walley, Troop F, Missouri State Highway Patrol. The vehicle pulled over on the parking lot of the “Denny’s” Restaurant in Kingdom City. As Corporal Walley was questioning Joseph Seidl, the passenger of the vehicle, the driver, Sullivan, fled on foot. After a short foot pursuit, Corporal Walley was able to apprehend Sullivan. During the foot pursuit, Sullivan attempted to throw a bag that contained crystal methamphetamine to the ground.



A search of the vehicle revealed numerous pieces of evidence of drug trafficking. When the trunk of the car was opened it revealed a 3-foot rocket that was attached to a pulley system attached to the truck lid. When the truck lid was opened the rocket became vertical and ready for launch. Further inspection of the trunk revealed three more devices made from plastic and metal that were believed to be pipe bombs. The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Bomb Squad and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration were notified and responded to the scene.



Further inspection of the rocket revealed it had eight motors in the bottom and a wire that ran through the interior of the car from the cigarette lighter. The wire connected circuits from the cigarette lighter to the bottom of the rocket to propel the rocket skyward. The wire also had a manual launch switch, which was located in the passenger compartment of the vehicle between the driver and passenger’s seat. After the devices were determined by the bomb squad not to be explosive, a more detailed search of the vehicle and contents was conducted. This search discovered more then two pounds of crystal methamphetamine with a street value of approximately $145,000 inside the rocket. Officers believe the rocket was set up to launch the methamphetamine upon detection by officers but the suspects did not get the truck open in time to do so. An in-depth search of the pipe-bombs revealed more crystal methamphetamine and hundreds of prescribed, controlled substance pills and tablets. Officers also seized $13,000 in United States currency from within the vehicle.



Sullivan and Seidl were transported to the Callaway County Sheriff’s Department and are currently being held on a 20-hour hold pending the application for arrest warrants. The DEA is also contacting the United States Attorney’s Office in an attempt to pursue Federal narcotic law violations. Agencies assisting the Missouri State Highway Patrol in the investigation were the Callaway County Sheriff’s Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.



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



Questions surrounding the investigation can be answered by Trooper Rich Ferrari at (573) 881-1035.