EMPHASIS: Drug Investigation Leads To Arrests Of Phelps And Maries County Residents

At approximately 6 a.m., September 8, 2011, members of the South Central Drug Task Force, in coordination with the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, Maries County Sheriff’s Department, Belle Police Department, Rolla Police Department, St. James Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol, concluded a long term narcotics investigation in Phelps County.

Over the course of approximately 18 months officers with the South Central Drug Task Force, Phelps County Sheriff’s Department and Rolla Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit, were able to conduct a series of narcotics investigations involving the distribution/sales/possession of methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, heroin and prescription medications. The investigation involved loosely affiliated individuals in and around the Phelps County area.

This investigation was aided by the 25th Judicial Circuit and the Phelps County Grand Jury that was convened by their authority. Grand Jury Indictments for each defendant were obtained through the Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, prior to the mass operation initiated this morning.

Arrest teams consisted of members of the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, Maries County Sheriff’s Department, Belle Police Department, Rolla Police Department, St. James Police Department, Lake Area Narcotics Enforcement Group and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Individuals arrested in connection with this investigation were transported, processed, and held at the Phelps County Jail for bond. The following individuals were arrested as a result of warrants that were issued for the listed offense or offenses:

Christopher R. Gatten, 21, Rolla, possession of chemicals, with intent to manufacture a controlled substance;
Yusef Rahaman, 21, Rolla, felony possession of marijuana;
Rebecca Roster, 43, Rolla, possession of methadone;
Adam Beshir, 21, Rolla, felony possession of marijuana;
Justin D. Martin, 24, Rolla, possession of heroin;
David E. Rutledge, 26, Rolla, possession of heroin;
Scott M. Hack, 21, Rolla, two counts of felony possession of marijuana;
Joseph W. Karnes, 48, St. James, possession of chemicals with the intent to manufacture a controlled substance;
Clifton W. Gann, 26, Rolla, possession of methamphetamine;
Virginia P. Pugh, 22, Rolla, possession of methamphetamine;
Timothy R. Mansfield, 22, Rolla, possession of methamphetamine;
Lance E. Cook, 20, Rolla, possession of chemicals with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine;
Sean M. Fruin, 25, Rolla, possession of chemicals with the intent to manufacture a controlled substance;
Dennis M. Robertson, 64, Rolla, possession of methamphetamine;
Daniel N. Hankins, 28, Belle, possession of chemicals with the intent to manufacture a controlled substance;
Chesley E. Daniels, 31, Vichy, possession of chemicals with the intent to manufacture a controlled substance;
Stacey D. Karr, 48, Belle, five counts: possession of methamphetamine, possession of oxycotin, possession of chemicals, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia;
Steve L. Payer, 55, Belle, possession of chemicals with the intent to manufacture a controlled substance;
Donna Hefele, 53, Belle, possession of chemicals with the intent to manufacture a controlled substance;
Paula C. Lawrence, 28, Belle, possession of chemicals with the intent to manufacture a controlled substance;
Kelly J. Gliser, 37, Belle, possession of chemicals with the intent to manufacture a controlled substance;
Thomas W. Gliser, 46, Belle, possession of chemicals with the intent to manufacture a controlled substance;
Donna Faye Buerk, 43, Rolla, possession of chemicals with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine;
Lori Ann Bryant, 36, Rolla, possession of methamphetamine;
Jesse J. Wells, 25, Belle, possession of chemicals with the intent to manufacture a controlled substance;
Arthur E. Bare, 45, Rolla, possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia; and
Trina Payne, 47, Rolla, possession of heroin.

The charges for which these individuals have been arrested 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.

The South Central Drug Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional drug task force coordinated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The task force specializes in narcotics-related investigations and is composed of narcotics officers from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, and Rolla Police Department, as well as directly employed specialists.

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