The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control (DDCC) announces the arrest of Donald Barry McKinney, 50, of Park Hills, MO. McKinney was arrested on January 8, 2026, for receiving stolen property, tampering with physical evidence in felony prosecution, and resisting/interfering with arrest for a felony. McKinney’s arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by members of DDCC, along with the assistance of Terminal Railroad Police Department of St. Louis.

In December 2025, investigators learned McKinney, who was employed in the railroad industry, was suspected of stealing dyed diesel fuel from locomotives in the St. Louis region. Investigators conducted surveillance of McKinney and were able to corroborate movements with confirmed thefts from locomotives in Sauget, IL. On January 8, 2026, investigators contacted McKinney in the Leadwood, MO, area to question him about the thefts. As investigators were contacting McKinney, he resisted arrest and destroyed potential evidence. McKinney was arrested and transported to the St. Francois County Jail, where he was held, pending the filing of formal charges.

On January 8, 2026, the St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney formally charged McKinney with receiving stolen property (class D felony), tampering with physical evidence in felony prosecution (class E felony) and resisting with arrest for a felony (class E felony). McKinney is currently being held in the St. Francois County Jail with a $200,000.00 bond.

This is an ongoing investigation and anyone with information about McKinney’s theft or sale of fuel is encouraged to contact Corporal Andrew L. Woods, with the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s DDCC, at 636-300-2800.

The above charges are mere accusation and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of these charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

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