For further information please contact: Capt. J. Tim Hull
(573) 526-6115

May 16, 2007
EMPHASIS: Colonel James F. Keathley Informs Public Of First Quarter Activity

Colonel James F. Keathley, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, would like to inform the public of enforcement activity during the first quarter of 2007.

While making “routine traffic stops” instincts and investigative skills led troopers to contraband in 56 instances. Road officers and criminal investigators of the Highway Patrol seized 3,072.11 pounds of marijuana, 387.14 pounds of cocaine, 7.26 pounds of meth, 12 pounds of heroine, and 6,035 ecstasy tablets. In addition, 88 criminal arrests were made, and $53,153 in cash and seven weapons were seized.

2007 First Quarter Enforcement:

Speed arrests and warnings issued -- 48,093
DWI arrests -- 2,304
Other Hazardous Arrests and Warnings -- 23,795
Traffic crashes investigated -- 9,378
Reactive and self-initiated calls for service answered -- 34,922

Missouri’s troopers know helping to make our highways safe for the motoring public has top priority. The fatality total for the first quarter of 2007 is 268, which is a 21 percent decrease when compared to the same time period in 2006.

The Highway Patrol’s criminal and narcotics investigators have been responsible for the following:

Assisted Mississippi and Texas law enforcement agencies with two murder investigations from their respective states.

Assisted the Franklin County Sheriff's Department with the Ben Ownby missing child case during January. The investigation led to the arrest of Michael Devlin and the recovery of Shawn Hornbeck and Ben Ownby.

Assisted the University of Missouri-Rolla Police Department with a bomb threat and an improvised explosive device from an incident involving a suicidal student on February 27, 2007.

Division of Drug and Crime Control members conducted seven computer forensic investigations, 25 special investigations, and 12 explosives investigations were completed in the first quarter. Investigators were responsible for seizing 12 pounds of methamphetamine and 82 meth labs.

During the first quarter of 2007, gaming officers within the Patrol’s Gaming Division made 78 felony and 460 misdemeanor arrests. Troopers initiated 431 criminal investigations for crimes such as stealing, forgery, fraud, currency counterfeiting, gambling, and assault.

“The Missouri State Highway Patrol remains focused on its mission of service and protection,” said Col. Keathley. “Our officers, whether they are road troopers, criminal investigators, narcotics officers, or gaming officers are to be commended for their hard work.”

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