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
August 7, 2009
I08A09

EMPHASIS: Drug Investigation Results In 27 Additional Arrests


On July 27, 2009, law enforcement officers from the Phelps County Sheriff's Department, Rolla Police Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol, and United States Forest Service, arrested 38 individuals on drug-related charges. These arrests were a result of an approximate 18-month investigation, where undercover operatives with the South Central Drug Task Force, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Rolla Police Department, and U.S. Forest Service were able to conduct a series of covert narcotics investigations involving the distribution /sales of methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, and prescription drugs.
At approximately 6 a.m., August 7, 2009, members of the South Central Drug Task Force, in coordination with the above listed agencies, made 27 additional arrests as a result of the 18-month investigation. Today's arrests and those from July 27, 2009, involve loosely affiliated individuals from Phelps, Dent, Pulaski and Texas counties. Law enforcement officials would again like to thank the 25th Judicial Circuit Court and the grand jury which was convened by its authority. Indictments from this grand jury were obtained through the Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney's Office prior to both mass arrest operations.
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. The arrest teams were assisted by sheriff's deputies from Dent, Pulaski, and Texas counties during the apprehension of suspects from those respective counties.
The following individuals who were arrested in connection with this investigation were transported, processed, and held at the Phelps County Jail for bond.

Melissa Andrews, 22, of Rolla, MO, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance;
Harold L. Connerley, 58, of Rolla, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance (three cases);
Dwight Melton, 51, Rolla, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce or possess a controlled substance;
Mark A. Perkins, 28, of Rolla, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance;
Cynthia J. Talbert, 47, of Rolla, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance;
Troy A. Bowen, 17, of Rolla, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance;
Leilani A. Fuentes, 44, of Waynesville, MO, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance;
David J. Sutton, 25, of Salem, MO, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance (two cases);
Lisa M. Schlig, 34, of Rolla, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance;
Angela Colvin, 32, of Rolla, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance;
Artena Johnson, 39, of Rolla, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance;
Kathy Moon, 48, of Rolla, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance;
Nicholas J. Light, 20, of Richland, MO, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance;
Michael L. Norris, 26, of Salem, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance (four cases);
Krystal G. Volner, 34, of Salem, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance and distribute, deliver, manufacture, or produce a controlled substance near a school;
Chad M. White, 27, of Rolla, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance;
Lisa M. Zanzottera, 38, of Rolla, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance;
William Bushman, 46, of Rolla, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance;
Dawn D. Jansen, 30, of Rolla, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance;
Steven A. Perry,23, of Rolla, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance (three cases);
David M. Crabb, 22, of Rolla, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance;
Dennis S. Stanley,18, of Rolla, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance ( two cases);
Elizabeth R. Hunter,40, of Salem, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, or produce a controlled substance near a school (two cases); and Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance (two cases);
Edward E. Ruegg, 45, of Rolla, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, or produce a controlled substance near a school (two cases);
David C. Nash, 23, of Rolla, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance;
Jennifer K. Baker, 27, of Rolla, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance;
Susanne Medley, 32, of Salem, Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance;

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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