For further information please contact: Capt. J. Tim Hull
(573) 526-6115
Q8072
August 20, 2007
EMPHASIS: Colonel James F. Keathley Informs Public Of Second Quarter Activity

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

While making “routine traffic stops”, instincts and investigative skills led troopers to contraband in 39 instances. Road officers and criminal investigators of the Highway Patrol seized 714.93 pounds of marijuana, 2.21 pounds of cocaine, .56 pounds of crack cocaine, 1.62 pounds of meth, and 6,008 ecstasy tablets. In addition, 67 criminal arrests were made, and $80,167.71 in cash and six weapons were seized.

Missouri’s troopers know helping to make our highways safe for the motoring public has top priority. The fatality total for the second quarter of 2007 is 240, which is a 16 percent decrease when compared to the same time period in 2006.

2007 Second Quarter Enforcement:

Speed arrests and warnings issued -- 56,205
DWI arrests -- 2,699
Other Hazardous Arrests and Warnings -- 27,202
Traffic crashes investigated -- 8,956
Reactive and self-initiated calls for service answered -- 37,383

Every day, troopers patrol Missouri’s roadways to offer assistance and protect the public. While patrolling, they often accept additional responsibilities. As a result of the heavy rain in early May, officers in Troops A, C, F, and H monitored rivers and streams, assisted other state agencies with the effort to prepare for flood waters, and coordinated with other state agencies. In the Troop A and Troop H areas where levies broke and flooding occurred, officers constantly re-routed traffic, evaluated flood stages, updated traveler information, and assisted residents as needed. During this time, General Headquarters employees were assigned to the State Emergency Operations Center.

Troop A officers assisted the Kansas City Police Department with a prostitution sting operation. A total of 25 arrests were made.

In one instance, Onstar representatives notified Troop A they were tracking a 2007 Hummer H2, which had been stolen, from Hertz Rentals in Salt Lake City, UT. A second call, from the Salt Lake City Police Department, confirmed they were taking a report on the stolen vehicle. Information was dispatched to officers on patrol and the vehicle stopped. Troopers worked with the Odessa Police Department to arrest the two occupants. A search of the stolen vehicle yielded credit cards that did not belong to the occupants. Further investigation uncovered credit card theft, fraud, and vehicle theft in several states. This information has been shared with other states in attempt to identify other, similar, unsolved crimes.

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

The Troop D DDCC Unit assisted the Missouri State Water Patrol in conducting a saturation operation on the Elk River in McDonald County. During the three days, officers made a total of 94 arrests for alcohol violations, indecent exposure violations, littering violations, and 27 drug arrests.

A search warrant on a residence in Joplin revealed a sophisticated indoor hydroponics marijuana and psilocybin mushroom growing operation in the subject’s bedroom. Officers seized a large quantity of growing equipment, approximately 100 jars of psilocybin mushrooms, 120 poppy bulbs, approximately 1/2 pound marijuana and other drug paraphernalia.

An ongoing investigation concerning the theft of farm equipment from a farm in Maries County led Patrol investigators and a Maries County Deputy to Ash Flat, AK. With the assistance of the Arkansas State Police, the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department, and the Salem Police Department, officers recovered tractors, trailers, mowers, ATVs, chainsaws, and saddles. One suspect was transported back to Missouri to the Maries County Jail. Further investigation revealed another suspect and additional stolen items.

Division of Drug and Crime Control members conducted 13 computer forensic investigations, 24 special investigations, and 9 explosives investigations in the second quarter. Investigators were responsible for seizing 4.4 pounds of methamphetamine and 289 meth labs.

During the second quarter of 2007, gaming officers within the Patrol’s Gaming Division made 59 felony and 159 misdemeanor arrests. Troopers initiated 376 criminal investigations for crimes such as stealing, forgery, fraud, currency counterfeiting, gambling, and assault.

Effective July 1, 2007, the merger of the Southwest Missouri Crime Lab into the Patrol’s Crime Laboratory Division became effective. The transition has been smooth and service to area law enforcement has not been interrupted.

Two significant DNA CODIS “hits” occurred with the St. Louis Police Department. One “hit” identified a suspect in the burglary of a Missouri state representative’s residence. The second “hit” identified a suspect in a rape and near fatal beating of a female, and is being investigated to see if the case is connected to other unsolved rapes.

“The Missouri State Highway Patrol is committed to serving and protecting the citizens of Missouri,” said Col. Keathley. “I believe every Patrol employee contributes to at least one of our agency strategies--traffic safety; crimes against persons and property; homeland security; and department management--during every work day. Our officers, whether they are road troopers, criminal investigators, narcotics officers, or gaming officers, and our civilian employees are to be commended for their hard work.”

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