News Release
For further information please contact: Sergeant Martin K. Elmore
(417) 469-3121, ext. 225
G-12086
December 30, 2008
EMPHASIS: Drug Investigation Nets Arrests
In the early morning hours of Tuesday, December 30, 2008, arrest warrants were served at numerous locations in Douglas County in a cooperative effort involving several law enforcement agencies. These warrants were issued as the result of a six-month undercover investigation by the South Central Drug Task Force and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The investigation involved over 30 individuals in and around the Douglas County, Missouri, area. The covert narcotics investigations involved the distribution/sales of methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, heroin, and prescription medications. Grand jury indictments for each defendant were obtained through the Douglas County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office prior to the mass arrest operation.
Following is a list of individuals arrested and charged with the sale of a controlled substance:
Dianna M. Barnes, 30, Ava, Missouri
Austin C. Bogart, 19, Ava, Missouri
Charles M. Clark, 33, Ava, Missouri
James H. Cruse, 40, Mountain Grove, Missouri
Mathew P. Deever, 23, Ava, Missouri
Quisto W. Eutsler, 21, Squires, Missouri
Blane D. Fleetwood, 45, Ava, Missouri
Cory E. Goodman, 25, Ava, Missouri
Kristopher K. Ingino, 22, Ava, Missouri
Debra K. James, 51, Ava, Missouri
Franklin C. Johnson, 21, Squires, Missouri
Jeffrey T. Joseph, 19, Ava, Missouri
Stephen D. Lansdown, 55, Ava, Missouri
Thomas M. Larimore, 43, Ava, Missouri
James S. Lewis, 31, Ava, Missouri
Shannon M. Ponder, 34, Ava, Missouri
Daniel C. Souder, 24, Ava, Missouri
Beth L. Stafford, 48, Ava, Missouri
Ronald K. Swearengin, 45, Ava, Missouri
Jessica L. Williams, 23, Ava, Missouri
Michael L. Williams, 28, Ava, Missouri
Additional agencies involved included the Douglas County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Douglas County Sheriff’s Department, Howell County Sheriff’s Department, Ava Police Department, and Region G SEMA.
The investigation continues and more arrests are anticipated.
The charges for which these individuals were 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.
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