OZAR Law Enforcement Blotter - April 2023

4/1/23

Drug Trafficking, Weapons Violation

Law enforcement rangers responded to a request for assistance from the Carter County Sheriff's Office in the Mark Twain National Forest. The sheriff's deputy reported he had responded to a report of a disturbance where prior to his arrival one of the involved parties had run into a wooded area (U.S. Forest Service lands) and concealed a knapsack containing methamphetamine. Assistance was requested from the NPS as there were no Forest Service officers on duty at the time. Rangers and the park's law enforcement specialist responded and contacted the suspect, who eventually admitted he had in fact concealed a knapsack containing methamphetamine in the wooded area, which he knew "was a park". He agreed to escort officers to recover the drugs. Officers located the knapsack, which contained approximately 4.86 ounces of crystalline powder consistent with methamphetamine, baggies, and a digital scale with crystalline residue on it. The suspect, a 40-year-old male from Ellsinore MO, was also found to be a convicted felon and a fugitive from the State of Arkansas. A firearm was located in his residence adjacent to the National Forest. He was placed under arrest and charged in State court with Trafficking Drugs 1^st Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Possession of a Firearm Prohibited. He is being held without bond at the time of this report.A joint investigation is underway with the NPS and special agents from the U.S. Forest Service and Postal Inspection Service.

4/2/23

Agency Assist

Law enforcement rangers responded to a request for assistance from the Van Buren Police Dept. with the execution of a residential search warrant in furtherance of a drug trafficking investigation.

4/4/23

Embezzlement

Law enforcement rangers received and initiated an investigation into a report of embezzlement. The investigation is ongoing.

4/8/23

Drug Violation

Pursuant to a traffic stop in the Flying W section of the park, law enforcement rangers arrested a 45-year-old female from Union, MO, for possession of methamphetamine. She was transported, booked and released at the Dent County Sheriff's Office.

4/8/23

Fugitive

Pursuant to a traffic stop in the Blue Spring section of the park, law enforcement rangers arrested a 33-year-old female from Van Buren, MO, upon an outstanding arrest warrant. She was transported, booked and remanded to custody at the Carter County Sheriff's Office.

4/8/23

DUI

Pursuant to a traffic stop on Hwy 106 near Powder Mill law enforcement rangers arrested a 28-year-old male from Centerville, MO, for DUI. He was transported to the Winona Ranger Station for an evidentiary breath test after which he was booked and released to a sober third party.

4/12/23

Agency Assist; Motor Vehicle Theft

A law enforcement ranger on patrol in the Buck Hollow area discovered a parked vehicle with no visible license attached. Further investigation determined the vehicle had been stolen in a nearby area jurisdiction. The vehicle was processed and recovered on their behalf.

4/14/23

Fugitive

While checking fishing permits along the Jacks Fork River, law enforcement rangers identified one individual with an outstanding arrest warrant. A 25-year-old male from West Plains, MO, was placed under arrest. He was subsequently transported to the Texas County Sheriff's Office where he was remanded to their custody.

4/14/23

Drug Violation

Pursuant to a traffic stop on M Hwy near Chilton Creek law enforcement rangers arrested two individuals for possession of methamphetamine: a 46-year-old female from Van Buren, MO, and a 31-year-old male of no fixed address. Both individuals were transported, booked and released at the Carter County Sheriff's Office.

Type of Incident

Number

Assistance - Enforcement Agency; Other; Visitor

3

Traffic Offense

44

Suspicious - Incident; Person; Vehicle

22

Drug Offense

29

Embezzlement

1

Natural Resource

4

DUI/DWI

1

Camping Violations

5

Boating & Marine Enforcement

2

Liquor Law (Includes Minor in Possession)

1

Fugitive/Wanted Person

2

Larceny/Theft

1

Welfare Check

1

Hunting/Fishing Violations

4