NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Sergeant Scott E. Meyer
816-622-0800
A040801
April 2, 2008

EMPHASIS: Traffic Stop Leads To Four Arrests In Henry County



On March 27, 2008, at approximately 11:30 p.m., a member of the Missouri State Highway Patrol stopped a 1996 Chevrolet Blazer on Missouri Highway 13 at Coal Creek Road in Henry County for defective equipment.
As a result of the traffic stop approximately 12 grams of methamphetamine and one stolen laptop computer were recovered. The four occupants in the vehicle were subsequently arrested and transported to the Henry County Jail.
The driver, David J. Metz, 41, of Springfield, Missouri, was arrested for the following felony charges:

1. Possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
2. Receiving stolen property.
3. Driving while revoked.
4. One Dallas County warrant for probation violation.
5. Three Lawrence County warrants for probation violation.
6. Two Green County warrants -- one for possession of a controlled substance and one for illegal use of a credit card.

David J. Metz was also arrested for the following misdemeanor charges:

1. Possession of marijuana.
2. Possession of drug paraphernalia.
3. One Polk County warrant for tampering 2nd degree.
4. One warrant issued by the Springfield, Missouri, Police Department.

A passenger in the vehicle, Patricia G. Wescott-Drew, 43, of Springfield, Missouri, was arrested for the following felony charges:

1. Possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
2. Hindering prosecution.

Patricia G. Wescott-Drew was also arrested for the following misdemeanor charges:

1. Possession of marijuana.
2. Possession of drug paraphernalia.

The second passenger in the vehicle, John D. Sedersten, 32, of Springfield, Missouri, was arrested on the following charges:

1. Four Taney County warrants -- two for fraud, one for stealing, and one for attempted escape from confinement.

The third passenger in the vehicle, Cheri E. Lutz, 43, of Springfield, Missouri, was arrested for the following felony charges:

1. Three Green County warrants -- two for forgery and one for possession of a controlled substance.

The charges for which David J. Metz, Patricia G. Wescott-Drew, John D. Sedersten, and Cheri E. Lutz 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 is to determine guilt or innocence.



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