News Release



For further information please contact: Sgt. M.K. Elmore

(417) 469-3121

G06043

June 30, 2004



EMPHASIS: Drug Investigation Nets Arrests



In the early morning hours of Tuesday, June 30, 2004, arrest warrants were served at numerous locations in Howell County in a cooperative effort involving several law enforcement agencies. These warrants were issued as the result of a two year undercover investigation by the South Central Drug Task Force, the Team Six Narcotics Unit of the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control, Howell County Sheriff’s Department, and the West Plains Police Department.



Following is a list of individuals arrested and charges:

David B. Bohrer, 42, Willow Springs, Mo. - 2 counts, Distribution of Controlled Substance

Lloyd D. Busbey, 46, West Plains, Mo. - 3 counts, Distribution of Controlled Substance

Heather R. Campbell, 27, Willow Springs, Mo. - 4 counts, Distribution of a Controlled Substance

William B. Ellington, 35, Willow Springs, Mo. - Possession of Controlled Substance

Louise Gargione, 44, West Plains, Mo. - 2 counts, Distribution of a Controlled Substance & 2

counts, Delivering an Imitation Controlled Substance

Connie S. Hale, 45, West Plains, Mo. - 2 counts, Distribution of a Controlled Substance

Adam Hathcock, 21, West Plains, Mo. - Distribution of a Controlled Substance

Keith E. Head, 23, West Plains, Mo. - 2 counts, Distribution of a Controlled Substance

Heidi A. Johnson, 25, West Plains, Mo. - 3 counts, Possession of a Controlled Substance

Cathy R. Johnston, 36, Moody, Mo. - 6 counts, Distribution of a Controlled Substance

William A. McGuire, 23, Willow Springs, Mo. - 6 counts, Distribution of a Controlled Substance

Billy J. McKinney, 31, West Plains, Mo. - 3 counts, Distribution of a Controlled Substance

Angela D. Meredith, 24, Thayer, Mo. - 4 counts, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Heather M. Payne, 19, West Plains, Mo. - 2 counts, Distribution of a Controlled Substance

Casey D. Peters, 26, Thayer, Mo. - Distribution of a Controlled Substance & Delivering an

Imitation Controlled Substance

Christal A. Ratliff, 50, West Plains, Mo. - Domestic Assault, Second Degree & Armed Criminal

Action

Scott A. Sylcox, 33, West Plains, Mo. - 2 counts, Distribution of a Controlled Substance

Edward A. Turnbull, 27, West Plains, Mo. - Distribution of a Controlled Substance



Additional agencies involved included the U.S Forest Service, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri Department of Conservation, Willow Springs Police Department, and the Mountain View Police Department.



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.