News Release

For further information please contact: Sergeant Dan Green
(816) 622-0800
A040810
April 30, 2008

EMPHASIS: Stop For Assistance On I-70 Results In Drug Arrests


On April 26, 2008, at approximately 12:00 p.m., a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper stopped to assist two motorists occupying a 2002 Chevrolet Impala and a 1997 Dodge 3500 pickup, on Route H north of Interstate 70 in Lafayette County. Several inconsistencies were found during the conversations with the motorists prompting the trooper to ask for consent to search the vehicles, which the motorists granted. The owner of the 2002 Chevrolet Impala withdrew his consent when the trooper opened the trunk. A trooper deployed his assigned K-9, which alerted on the trunk. Twenty-two bundles of marijuana weighing a total of 26 pounds were located in the vehicle.
Gene A. McDonald Jr., 36, and Diaz E. Escamilla, 37, of Lexington, Kentucky, were arrested for possession with intent to distribute and transported to the Lafayette County Jail.
The charges for which Gene A. McDonald and Diaz E. Escamilla were arrested are mere accusations and not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty it is to determine guilt or innocence.

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