St. Clair County Sheriff Scott Keeler said deputies investigated a kidnapping, took reports of burglary, assisted with a search for a missing man, and made two warrant arrests during the week of May 26-June 1.

Arrest warrant issued for kidnapping

     On May 29, a St. Clair County arrest warrant was issued for Joseph Daugherty, 33, Clinton, charging him with three felony charges stemming from an incident on May 26. Daugherty is charged with a class A felony of kidnapping, a class B felony charge of burglary-first degree, and a class D felony of resisting arrest by fleeing.

     In the early morning hours of May 26, St. Clair County deputies were dispatched to a residence on E Highway in reference to a domestic assault in progress. As deputies were responding to the scene, information was received the suspect had left driving a white Cadillac. An attempt was made to stop the vehicle, but it was able to elude the deputies.

     At the scene it was reported Daugherty, was an ex-live-in-boyfriend of a female living at the residence. He allegedly entered the residence carrying a hand gun, threatened to shoot the family members, and attempted to abduct a female.

     Additional charges are pending on Daugherty following incidents on May 29 when a St. Clair County deputy attempted to make a traffic stop on a vehicle driving down E Highway. The driver attempted to elude deputies and ended up crashing the vehicle on SW 101 Road and fled into the woods. Evidence was located inside the vehicle that identified Daugherty as the driver.

     Information was received Daugherty was seen riding an ATV in the area. Later the same day, an ATV was recovered near the junction of B and E highway. The investigation discovered the ATV was stolen from a garage on SW 101 Road, Osceola.

     Sheriff Keeler urges those with any information concerning Daughtery’s location to contact the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line, 417-646-5832, or email to tips@scsomo.org.

Burglary reports taken

     On May 30, a St. Clair County deputy took a burglary report on SE 1200 Road, Collins. William Duncan reported entry was made into a home he is caretaking for a family member. Several African artifacts were reported missing from inside the residence. Duncan said a hydraulic log splitter was also missing from the property.

     On May 29, a St. Clair County deputy took a burglary complaint at Appleton City Equipment on NE Highway 52. An employee, Lewis Morgan, reported the front door was open and $150 cash and $30 in change was missing from the cash drawer. He stated the office was rummaged through, but nothing else was missing. Damage to the door are estimated at $700. Evidence was located and collected at the scene.

     On May 26, a St. Clair County deputy took an initial report in reference to a burglary on NE 1289 Road, Osceola. Mary Singleton reported several outbuildings, an old mobile home, and an old school bus were broken into on property owned by David Singleton. Camouflage clothing, roofing nail gun, two chainsaws, several drills, tool boxes full of tools, hammers, three boxes of electrical wire, two boxes of vinyl siding, and 1,000 feet of extension cord were reported stolen

     The investigations in these cases are ongoing. Sheriff Keeler urges those with any related information to contact the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line, 417-646-5832, or email to tips@scsomo.org

Investigation of missing man from rural Appleton City concludes

     On May 27, during a search conducted by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office and friends of the family, the remains of Dale Miller, 78, of rural Appleton City, were located an estimated one-mile north of his home on NW 400 Road in St. Clair County. Miller had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and has been missing since Oct. 25, 2014 when he wandered into the woods near his home and did not return. The sheriff’s office, family, friends and numerous volunteers conducted several searches and extensive ground checks throughout the investigation.

     On May 26, it was reported a boot had been located in a stream on a nearby property. The boot matched the description of boots Miller was wearing when he went missing. A search was organized the next day and in the early afternoon hours his remains were located. No foul play was suspected in the case.

Warrant arrests

James Gueltzau

     James Gueltzau- On May 28, James Gueltzau, 60, Osceola, was arrested in St. Clair County on a Linn County, Kansas, warrant on an original felony charge of driving under the influence of alcohol.

     Jerry Usher- On May 27, Jerry Usher, 26, Republic, was arrested on two St. Clair County felony warrants. One warrant was issued on Sept. 2, 2014 and charges Usher with class C felony domestic assault-second degree. The charge stems from an incident on Aug. 30, 2014 when a St. Clair County deputy responded to a domestic assault in progress on SE 801 Road, Collins.
     On arrival, a female victim explained she was physically assaulted by Usher. She said she went to a neighbor’s residence and got into a truck to flee. As they were driving from the scene, Usher allegedly stopped the truck and grabbed her, threw her out of the vehicle onto the ground and was chocking her. She said the neighbor stopped Usher and then Usher attacked the neighbor. They left the scene to call for help. Bond is set at $10,000 cash or surety.

     The second warrant was issued on Sept. 3, 2014 and charges him with a probation violation on an original class C felony charge of possessing a controlled substance from an incident in May 2013. 

     Disclaimer: Arrest records are public information. Any indication of an arrest does not mean the individual identified has been convicted of a crime. All persons arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.