MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
a division of the
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Troop I Headquarters, P.O Box 128, Rolla, Mo 65402



News Release

For further information please contact: Sergeant Dan Crain
573-368-2345

July 27, 2009
I07H09

EMPHASIS: Drug Investigation Results In Arrests Of Phelps County Residents


At approximately 6 a.m., on Monday, July 27, 2009, members of the South Central Drug Task Force, in coordination with the Phelps County Sheriff's Department, Rolla Police Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the United States Forest Service, concluded a long-term narcotics investigation in Phelps County.
Over the course of approximately 18 months, undercover operatives with South Central Drug Task Force and the Missouri State Highway Patrol were able to conduct a series of covert narcotics investigations involving the distribution/sales of methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, heroin, and prescription medications. The investigation involved 44 loosely affiliated individuals in and around the Phelps County area.
This investigation was aided greatly by the 25th Judicial Circuit Court and the Phelps County Grand Jury that was convened by their authority. Grand jury indictments for each defendant were obtained through the Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney's Office prior to the mass arrest operation initiated this morning.
Arrest teams consisted of members from the Phelps County Sheriff's Department, Rolla Police Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the United States Forest Service.
Individuals arrested in connection with this investigation were transported, processed, and are being held at the Phelps County Jail for bond. The following individuals were arrested:
Jamie M. Rable, 19, Edgar Springs, MO, Phelps County warrant for delivering or distribution of not more than five grams of marijuana;
Navin T. Ellinger, 38, Rolla, MO, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance-prior, persistent offender;
Carlos A. Williams, 35, Rolla, Phelps County warrant for delivering or distribution of not more than five grams of marijuana;
Christopher M. Hunter, 22, St. James, MO, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance (two counts);
Jeremy Ellis, 25, St. James, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance (two counts);
Rebecca Losing (Ray), 26, St. James, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance (two counts) and delivery or manufacture of an imitation controlled substance;
Lloyd R. Graham, 32, Rolla, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance (two counts);

Amanda Hobson, 19, St. James, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance;
Melanie Tivoli, 26, Rolla, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance;
Kathleen M. Birdsong, 54, Rolla, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance;
Dennis Toles-Robinson, 22, Rolla, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance (two counts);
Michael T. Light, 23, Rolla, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance;
Brandon J. Williams, 19, Rolla, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance;
Charles B. Frazier, 22, Newburg, MO, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance (two counts);
Brandy L. Burton, 29, Doolittle, MO, distributing controlled substance near a school (three counts) and Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance;
Lawrence F. Mathis II, 21, Edgar Springs, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance (two counts);
Joshua D. Robinson, 22, Edgar Springs, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance (two counts);
Teresa A. Ray, 52, Edgar Springs, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance (four counts);
Carlos R. Harris, 34, Rolla, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance-prior, persistent offender;
Robert C. Bryan, 26, St. James, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance;
Bryan J. Losing, 30, St. James, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance (four counts) and delivery or manufacturing of an imitation controlled substance;
Benjamin R. Graham, 30, Rolla, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance (four counts and prior persistent offender) ;
Joshua H. Gately, 27, St. James, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance;
Carlos A. Mitchell, 34, Rolla, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance (two counts);
Jason Kimmel, 29, Newburg, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance (four counts);
Michael J. Mehler, 34, Rolla, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance;
Deon L. Steward, 21, Rolla, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance (five counts) and delivering or distribution of not more than five grams of marijuana;
Mark E. Ferrell, 39, Rolla, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance;
Wilnosha T. Briggs, 40, Rolla; Phelps County warrant for distribute a controlled substance near a school (two counts);
Bobby A. Baker, 31, Rolla, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance;
Eric B. Branson, 26, Rolla, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance; and,
James King, 48, Rolla, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance (two counts).
The charges for which these individuals have been 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.
The South Central Drug Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional drug task force coordinated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The task force specializes in narcotics-related investigations and is composed of narcotics officers from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Phelps County Sheriff's Department, Rolla Police Department, and United States Forest Service, as well as directly employed specialists.
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