St. Clair County Sheriff Scott Keeler said deputies made four warrant arrests and responded to a variety of calls for service during the week of April 25-May 2. Reports included stealing, property damage, possession of controlled substance-methamphetamine, and possession of controlled substance - heroin.

Traffic stop leads to felony drug arrest

Tammie Bellew

     Tammie Bellew- On May 2, Tammie Bellew, 32, Weaubleau, was arrested on a St. Clair County warrant charging her with class C felony possession of a controlled substance. Bond is set at $15,000 cash or surety.

     The charge stems from an investigation in the early morning hours the same day on SE 951 Road, Collins, when a St. Clair County deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle Bellew was driving. During the investigation methamphetamine was located in her possession and Bellew escaped custody. Deputies located her a short time later at a residence near where the traffic stop occurred. Additional charges are pending from the incident.  

Boat stolen in Lowry City

     On May 2, a St. Clair County deputy took a stealing report on North 2nd Street, Lowry City. William Osborn reported someone stole his 12-foot Sears aluminum boat from the west side of his residence. The value was estimated at $1,000. The case was turned over to Lowry City Police Department for further investigation.

Bicycle stolen in Lowry City

     On May 1, a St. Clair County deputy took a report at Alexander’s BP station, Lowry City, in reference to a bicycle stolen from a juvenile. The bicycle was described as a Mako brand, six speed, mountain bike. It was gray with red and black lettering. The juvenile stated an adult male between the ages of 30 and 40 placed the bicycle in bed of red Ford pickup truck and drove away. 

Property damage

     On April 29, a St. Clair County deputy took a property damage report on SW Appleton Street, Roscoe. Doris Crawford reported two windows were broken at her residence. 

Stealing on Highway M

     On April 27, a St. Clair County deputy took a stealing report on NW Highway M, Appleton City. Brad Scott reported several items missing from a shed on his property. Items missing included a Husqvarna chainsaw, a Hitachi grinder, a Craftsman drill press, a claw hammer, and miscellaneous hand tools.

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

Other warrant arrests

Gerry Ford

     Gerry Ford- On April 30, a St. Clair County deputy arrested Gerry Ford, 44, Warsaw, on a Benton County warrant charging him with class C felony possession of a controlled substance. Bond is set at $ 10,000 cash or surety. The warrant was issued on March 19 and stems from a Missouri State Highway Patrol investigation in September 2015.

West Ford

     West Ford- On April 27, West Ford, 40, St. Ann, was arrested on a St. Clair County warrant charging him with class B felony possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and class C felony possession of a controlled substance. Bond is set at $20,000 cash or surety.

     The charges stem from an investigation the previous day on Highway 13 southbound near CC Highway when a St. Clair County deputy conducted a traffic stop Ford was a passenger in. During the investigation Ford was found to be in possession of heroin. He was taken into custody pending the formal charge. Members of the Mid Missouri Multi Jurisdiction Drug Task Force assisted with the investigation.

Adam Lesmeister

     Adam Lesmeister- On April 25, Adam Lesmeister, 33, Appleton City, was arrested on a St. Clair County warrant charging him with attempted enticement of a child, an unclassified felony. Bond is set at $15,000 cash or surety.

     The charge stems from a St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office investigation concerning an incident in March 2015 when Lesmeister allegedly inappropriately touched a 13-year-old female.

     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.

Criminal summons issued

     Jason McGhee- On April 29, a criminal summons was issued for Jason McGhee, 41, Appleton City, charging him with class A misdemeanor domestic assault–third degree. The charge stems from an investigation on April 3, when a St. Clair County deputy responded to a domestic disturbance on NW 600 Road, Appleton City. McGhee allegedly assaulted a female victim.

Arrest warrant issued

Katherine Mitchell File photo

     Katherine Mitchell- On April 25, a St. Clair County warrant was issued for Katherine Mitchell, 49, Montrose, charging her with class C felony possession of a controlled substance. Bond is set at $15,000 cash or surety.

     The charge stems from an incident on March 21 when St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office deputies and members of the Mid Missouri Multi Jurisdiction Drug Task Force were at a residence on North Beech Street, Appleton City, in reference to a drug investigation. During the investigation Mitchell was found to be in possession of a substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine.

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

St. Clair County youth alcohol enforcement campaign joins
national crackdown to reduce drunk driving fatalities

     Local and state law enforcement will be out in full force as part of the annual nationwide youth alcohol enforcement crackdown “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” substance–impaired driving crackdown. The crackdown, which will include high-visibility enforcement throughout St. Clair County will run from May 5-16.

     Sheriff  Scott Keeler said during the campaign deputies will be aggressively looking for substance–impaired drivers during the crackdown and will arrest anyone caught driving impaired. Although it is illegal in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to drive impaired (having a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher), far too many people across the nation get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol or other illegal drugs. The latest statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration underscore the serious nature of the nation’s continuing drunk driving epidemic.

     Every year, about one third of all motor vehicle traffic deaths involve one or more substance- impaired drivers or motorcycle operators. In 2015, 178 people were killed and 605 seriously injured on Missouri’s roadways in crashes that involved at least one substance-impaired driver.

     “We want to remind everyone that getting behind the wheel impaired is a terrible idea. Unfortunately, not only does being under the influence impair your ability to operate a vehicle safely, it also impairs your judgment and good sense about whether you can, or should drive,”  said Sheriff Keeler. “If you have any doubt about your sobriety, do not get behind the wheel. If you do chose to drive impaired, you will be arrested. No warnings. No excuses.”

     The sheriff noted that being arrested for driving under the influence of any substance brings a wide range of negative consequences into one’s life. Substance–impaired drivers face jail time, loss of their driver licenses, and steep financial consequences such as higher insurance rates, attorney fees, court costs, lost time at work, and the potential loss of their job. When family, friends and co-workers find out, violators also often face tremendous personal embarrassment.

     “Driving while impaired is simply not worth the risk. So don’t take the chance. Remember, we will be out in force and we will be watching, so ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,’” said the sheriff.

     For more information, visit the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Campaign Headquarters at www.TrafficSafetyMarketing.gov , or www.saveMOlives.com.