Big Drug Investigation Leads To Arrests In Phelps County Area

At approximately 6 a.m., Sept. 8, members of the South Central Drug Task Force, in coordination with the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, Maries County Sher­iff’s Department, Belle Police Department, Rolla Police Depart­ment, St. James Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol, concluded a long term nar­cotics investigation in Phelps County.

Over the course of approxi­mately 18 months officers with the South Central Drug Task Force, Phelps County Sheriff’s Depart­ment and Rolla Police Depart­ment’s Street Crimes Unit, were able to conduct a series of narcotics investigations involving the distri­bution/sales/possession of metham­phetamine, cocaine, marijuana, heroin and prescription medica­tions.

The investigation involved loosely affiliated individuals in and around the Phelps County area.

This investigation was aided by the 25th Judicial Circuit and the Phelps County Grand Jury that was convened by their authority. Grand Jury Indictments for each defendant were obtained through the Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, prior to the mass operation initiated this morning.

Arrest teams consisted of mem­bers of the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, Maries County Sher­iff’s Department, Belle Police Department, Rolla Police Depart­ment, St. James Police Department, Lake Area Narcotics Enforcement Group and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Individuals arrested in connec­tion with this investigation were transported, processed, and held at the Phelps County Jail for bond.  The following individuals were arrested as a result of warrants that were issued for the listed offense or offenses:

Christopher R. Gatten, 21, Rolla, possession of chemicals, with intent to manufacture a con­trolled substance;

Yusef  Rahaman, 21, Rolla, fel­ony possession of marijuana;

Rebecca Roster, 43, Rolla, pos­session of methadone;

Adam Beshir, 21, Rolla, felony possession of marijuana;

Justin D. Martin, 24, Rolla, pos­session of heroin;

David E. Rutledge, 26, Rolla, possession of heroin;

Scott M. Hack, 21, Rolla, two counts of felony possession of marijuana;

Joseph W. Karnes, 48, St. James, possession of chemicals with the intent to manufacture a controlled substance;

Clifton W. Gann, 26, Rolla, pos­session of methamphetamine;

Virginia P. Pugh, 22, Rolla, pos­session of methamphetamine;

Timothy R. Mansfield, 22, Rolla, possession of metham­phetamine;

Lance E. Cook, 20, Rolla, pos­session of chemicals with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine and possession of methampheta­mine;

Sean M. Fruin, 25, Rolla, pos­session of chemicals with the intent to manufacture a controlled sub­stance;

Dennis M. Robertson, 64, Rolla, possession of methamphetamine;

Daniel N. Hankins, 28, Belle, possession of chemicals with the intent to manufacture a controlled substance;

Chesley E. Daniels, 31, Vichy, possession of chemicals with the intent to manufacture a controlled substance;

Stacey D. Karr, 48, Belle, five counts: possession of metham­phetamine, possession of oxycotin, possession of chemicals, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia;

Steve L. Payer, 55, Belle, pos­session of chemicals with the intent to manufacture a controlled sub­stance;

Donna Hefele, 53, Belle, posses­sion of chemicals with the intent to manufacture a controlled sub­stance;

Paula C. Lawrence, 28, Belle, possession of chemicals with the intent to manufacture a controlled substance;

Kelly J. Gliser, 37, Belle, pos­session of chemicals with the intent to manufacture a controlled sub­stance;

Thomas W. Gliser, 46, Belle, possession of chemicals with the intent to manufacture a controlled substance;

Donna Faye Buerk, 43, Rolla, possession of chemicals with the intent to manufacture metham­phetamine and possession of meth­amphetamine;

Lori Ann Bryant, 36, Rolla, pos­session of methamphetamine;

Jesse J. Wells, 25, Belle, posses­sion of chemicals with the intent to manufacture a controlled sub­stance;

Arthur E. Bare, 45, Rolla, pos­session of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia; and

Trina Payne, 47, Rolla, posses­sion of heroin.

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, and Rolla Police Department, as well as directly employed specialists.