Undercover drug buys yield arrests
In the news
At least 10 suspects are facing felony charges in 4th District Circuit Court following a months-long undercover drug probe undertaken by the Missouri State Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control.
Nodaway County Prosecuting Attorney Robert Rice said Thursday that several suspects implicated in the investigation have been taken into custody over the last several days.
About half the suspects face charges accusing them of attempting to distribute, deliver, manufacture, or produce controlled substances. The others are charged with allegedly distributing controlled substances near or on school property.
The arrests were carried out by state patrol troopers, Nodaway County Sheriff’s Office personnel, and officers from the Northwest Missouri State University Police Department.
Rice said the arrests followed a series of drug buys conducted by a pair of undercover patrol investigators. He said the buys were conducted in late 2015 and early this year.
After the drugs were purchased and logged in as evidence, Rice said, officers spent a significant amount of time waiting for the completion of laboratory tests and preparing the cases for court.
He said it’s typical in such investigations for a flurry of arrests to occur over a short time because of the danger that the identities of the undercover officers will be compromised.
According to online court records, those arrested on distribution charges include Stacy D. Daleske, Ravenwood; Amanda S. Owens, Maryville; Lisa A. Estrada, Maryville; Keegan A. Sharp, Kansas City; and Mary E. Frizzell, Maryville.
Those taken into custody for allegedly distributing drugs on or near school grounds include John D. Norris, Johnston, Iowa; Caelan B. Campbell, St. Joseph; Julian P. Adams, Bridgeton; Alexei M. Milburn, Kansas City; and Christian J. Tingstad, Papillion, Neb.
The distribution charge, which embraces the possession of illegal drugs with the intent to distribute, deliver, manufacture, or produce, is a Class B felony that carries a sentence of between 5 and 15 years in prison.
Distributing illegal drugs on or near school property, including college campuses, is a Class A felony punishable by 10 to 30 years in prison or a maximum term of life behind bars.
