Sheriff Scott Keeler reported two individuals are still being sought for questioning after failing to yield to law enforcement. He noted deputies made five warrant arrests, recovered a stolen vehicle, took reports concerning a runaway juvenile, property damage, and burglary during the week of May 15-22, 2017. There were three Court Case Updates and the sheriff reminded citizens of the “Click It or Ticket” enforcement ongoing through June 4. The mobilization is to crack down on seat belt violations.

Warrant arrests 

John Ure Jr.

                John Ure Jr.-On May 22, John Ure Jr., 67, Deepwater, was arrested at his residence on a St. Clair County warrant charging him with 31 counts of class D felony distribution/dispensing a controlled substance or manufacturing/distributing/dispensing an unauthorized controlled substance in violation of registration requirements. Bond is set at $75,000 cash or surety.
       The charges stem from an investigation on March 15, 2016 by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services-Investigative Bureau of Narcotics and Drugs.     

Michelle Martin

            Michelle Martin- On May 22, Michelle Martin, 29, Haysville, Kan., was arrested on five St. Clair County warrants for failing to appear in court. Martin is charged with class C felony possession of a controlled substance, class B misdemeanor driving while intoxicated-drugs, class A misdemeanor unlawful drug paraphernalia, class A misdemeanor operating a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner involving an accident, and an infraction of failing to transfer plates within 30 days. 

            The charges stem from a Missouri State Highway Patrol investigation on May 19, 2014. Total bond is set at $3,600 cash only.                

Megan Shields

           Megan Shields- On May 22, Megan Shields 28, Independence, was arrested on a St. Clair County warrant charging her with probation violation on an original class C felony charge of possession of a controlled substance. The warrant was issued on Aug. 30, 2016 and bond is set at $5,000 cash only.

            The original charge stems from a St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office investigation in January 2014 when deputies along with members of the Mid Missouri Multi Jurisdictional Drug Task Force conducted a drug investigation at a residence on NE 364 Road, Osceola. The investigation revealed Shields to be in possession of methamphetamines. In December 2014 Shields pled guilty and the imposition of sentencing was suspended and she was placed on five years probation.

Jason Oprzedek

           Jason Oprzedek- On May 19, Jason Oprzedek, 38, Warsaw, was arrested on a St. Clair County warrant charging him with class A misdemeanor domestic assault-fourth degree. Bond is set at $1,000 cash or surety.

            The charge stems from a St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office investigation the previous day when deputies were dispatched to East Fifth Street, Lowry City, in reference to a domestic disturbance.

            Oprzedek allegedly had a wrench in his right hand and raised it up in the air and made a motion towards his girlfriend’s head.  The female stated she was in fear and felt like Oprzedek was trying to hurt her. He admitted to deputies he had consumed alcohol.

Kristen Underwood

          Kristen Underwood- On May 16, Kristen Underwood, 25, Greenville, was arrested on a St. Clair County warrant charging her with class D felony possession of a controlled substance. Bond is set at $10,000 cash or surety. The warrant was issued on April 19 and the charge stems from an Osceola Police Department investigation on March 15.

            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.  

Two individuals sought for questioning after
failing to yield to law enforcement

            Law enforcement from St. Clair and Hickory counties are seeking Jerry Eaton, 45, Osceola, and Shanna Case, 44, Collins, for questioning after failing to yield to law enforcement during the morning hours on May 17.

Jerry Eaton-File photo

            The incident started after Hickory County Sheriff Brian Whalen responded to a call of a cow out. As the sheriff was getting the cow back into the fence he noticed individuals in an abandoned house. The individuals fled the property in a 1992 Dodge Dakota truck that was painted flat black. Sheriff Whalen gave chase along with other Hickory County deputies. 

Shanna Case-File photo

            The truck failed to yield and traveled into St. Clair County near T Highway where St. Clair County deputies joined in the chase. The truck also failed to yield to St. Clair County deputies and travelled onto several county, private roads, and private property. The truck continued through a timbered area and through fences onto Randy Williams’ property on SE 276 Road causing cattle and horses to leave the property.

            The truck evaded deputies near the Gerster area. After information was obtained on the suspects it determined the driver was Eaton and he was wearing camouflage. The passenger was Case and she was wearing grey shorts and a grey shirt. Deputies continued the search near SE 1251 Road and TT Highway.  At approximately noon deputies located the truck in the timber off SE 1251 Road, north of Gerster. The truck checked back stolen out of Henry County. It was towed to a secure location and turned over to Henry County for processing.

            During the evening hours the next day, May 18, a deputy took a report of a 1996 Ford Taurus stolen from Nancy Cox on SE 1294 Road, near Gerster. Shortly after the call, Hickory County deputies located the vehicle in a wooded area near the Hickory County line on Road 41 near Weaubleau. It is believed Eaton and Case have left the immediate area.

            During the investigation it was learned Eaton and Case were residing in the abandoned house where the incident started. Hickory County deputies located numerous items believed to be stolen as well as items associated with drug use on the property.

            Eaton is also wanted on felony warrants from in St. Clair, Cass and Henry counties for failing to appear in court on various charges. He is wanted on a Hickory County warrant for failing to appear in court on a misdemeanor charge.

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

Burglary reported at Twin Oaks Harbor

            On May 22, St. Clair County deputies took a burglary report at Twin Oaks Harbor, Lowry City. Temple Cloe reported three camper trailers on his property were burglarized and several items missing. He said two trailers had damage to the doors where they were pried open and a padlock was missing from the other trailer. Items missing included several hunting type fixed blade knives, a large box of assorted fireworks, and a Daisy bb gun.

Runaway juvenile located

            During the late afternoon hours on May 17, a juvenile reported as a runaway during the morning hours the same day, was located and returned to her mother.

            The original report came from a residence on SW 401 Road, El Dorado Springs. A 15 year-old female juvenile was reported missing after it appeared pillows and blankets were intentionally placed under her bed spread to make it seem as though a person was in the bed asleep.

Burglary reported in Lowry City

            On May 16, a St. Clair County deputy took a burglary report on South Lucas Street Lowry City. Vernard Tucker stated when he returned home his front door was open and his dog was running loose. He reported several items missing including a Samsung DVD player, an Apple Ipad AIR, a Brinks security safe box, $250 cash, several titles to vehicles, birth certificate, his mother’s death certificate, and Tucker’s military identification. The total value of the items missing was $660 including the cash.    

Property damage reported in Collins

            On May 16, a St. Clair County deputy took a report on South 15th Street, Collins, in reference to broken windows. John and Mary Hill reported they found two broken windows in the sewing room of their residence.  The windows are two-feet wide and six-feet tall. The total estimated value of the windows is $1,000. 

            These cases are currently under investigation. Sheriff Keeler urges those with any related information to these cases or any others to contact the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line, 417-646-5832, or email to tips@scsomo.org.

Court Case Update
(Click on the links for additional information)

Arrest warrant issued for Suzanne Bullock
http://scsomo.org/court_case_view.php?id=298

Taha Merghani pleads guilty to amended charge. Fine issued.
http://scsomo.org/court_case_view.php?id=333

Geanna Allen placed on probation in one case and ordered to serve 10 days in county jail on another
http://scsomo.org/court_case_view.php?id=257
http://scsomo.org/court_case_view.php?id=192