More than a dozen Butler County residents were arrested Wednesday during a county-wide drug sweep on warrants for sale of a controlled substance.
Members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, SEMO Drug Task Force, Poplar Bluff Police Department, Butler County Sheriff's Department and U.S. Marshal's Service began serving the warrants early Wednesday morning and by the end of the day, 13 were in custody. Another 10 previously had been arrested.
The warrants stemmed from indictments handed down by a Butler County grand jury in March.
"It was successful, but we had hoped the percentage would be a little higher," said patrol Sgt. Mark McClendon, who heads the drug task force. "If you do the total, it's not bad, 23 out of 54; that's not so bad.
"Overall, we are happy with" the results.
The arrests, according to McClendon, conclude an approximately 15-month, undercover investigation.
"It's all a matter of where the investigation leads," said McClendon, who indicated task force officers made undercover buys of heroin, methamphetamine, prescription pills and marijuana.
Most of the subjects were wanted for sale of a controlled substance, with a few being charged with distribution of a controlled substance near a school or government housing.
Selling a controlled substance within 2,000 feet of a school or government housing is a enhancement when it comes to prosecution, McClendon explained.
The suspects, he said, run the gamut, ranging in age from early 20s into their 60s.
"You can't judge a book by its cover; if you think (someone) 65 years old isn't out there selling prescription drugs, you would be wrong.," McClendon said. "Some are doing that.
"On the younger end, those folks have access to it and are willing to sell it."
McClendon said it all goes back to greed and a "quick way to make money in a quick fashion."
Many, he said, think it is quick and easy money, but "it's not easy if (they) get caught up and have to pay the consequences."
McClendon said the officers, who were divided into four seven-man teams, searched until about 3 p.m. for the suspects.
"I'm sure there will be folks picked up in the next few days," McClendon said. "The city of Poplar Bluff is still working actively on some of those folks."
McClendon said he also has talked with the sheriff's department about the remaining warrants.
"They have a list and plan to enter them before Friday," said McClendon, who indicated there will be additional arrests.
Arrested from Poplar Bluff were:
* Edward J. Moore, 51, two counts of sale of a controlled substance and suspicion of possession of a controlled substance (Hydrocodone) and possession of drug paraphernalia, $50,000 cash bond;
* Jacob D. Voshell, 34, sale of a controlled substance, $100,000 cash bond;
* Dematrai A. Yount, 54, sale of a controlled substance, $50,000 cash;
* Nicole P. White (Evans), 22, sale of a controlled substance, $100,000 cash;
* Amy L. Vonruedgisch, 39, two counts sale of a controlled substance, $50,000 cash bond;
* Kelly D. Robinson, 21, sale of a controlled substance, $50,000 cash;
* Eric W. Butler, 51, sale of a controlled substance, $50,000 cash;
* Kandace L. Butler, 29, sale of a controlled substance, $50,000 cash;
* Lester W. Knox, 36, two counts sale of a controlled substance, $100,000 cash;
* Shawna M. Hemby, 37, sale of a controlled substance, $100,000 cash;
* Bobby Ray Warren, 43, sale of a controlled substance, $100,000 cash.
Also arrested:
* Larry James Stricklin, 66, of Wappapello, two counts sale of a controlled substance, $50,000 cash bond; and
* Crystal L. Cochran, 45, no address listed, sale of a controlled substance, $100,000 cash.
Davonta Green, according to McClendon, was a "bonus" arrest. The 23-year Poplar Bluff man was arrested on a Probation and Parole warrant for parole violation.
Already served with warrants prior to Wednesday's round up were:
* Donald R. Cook, 28, sale of a controlled substance, $50,000 cash bond;
* Gary D. Crawford, 46; sale of a controlled substance, $50,000 cash;
* Alexander I. Jackson, 28, distribution of a controlled substance near a school, $100,000 cash;
* Sean Jones, 28, distribution of a controlled substance near a school, $100,000 cash;
* Buddy L. Lacey, 40, sale of a controlled substance, $100,000 cash;
* Tara J. Maxfield, 41, sale of a controlled substance, $50,000 cash;
* Richard A. Parks, 39, distribution of a controlled substance near a school, $100,000 cash; and
* Kimberly J. Schrader, 46, distribution of a controlled substance near government housing, $100,000.
Three of the subjects of the investigation, according to McClendon, already have had their cases adjudicated.
On Aug. 1, Chelsi M. Faries, 21, of Puxico, Mo., pleaded guilty to the Class B felony of sale of a controlled substance. She was given a suspended imposition of her sentence and placed on five years' supervised probation.
Pearl L. Gloyd, 36, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., pleaded guilty Aug. 22 to the Class B felony of sale of a controlled substance. She was sentenced to eight years in the Missouri Department of Corrections, and it was recommended she be placed in a 120-day shock incarceration program.
Zachary S. Ward, 26, of Poplar Bluff pleaded guilty Sept. 5 to the Class B felony of sale of a controlled substance. The court suspended the imposition of his sentence and placed him on five years' supervised probation.
At the time of Wednesday's roundup, officers found that Rebecca M. Golden, 42, Thomas A. Sondermann, 21, and Laticia S. Ussery, 39, already were incarcerated elsewhere on unrelated charges. Each is wanted for a new charge of sale of a controlled substance.