A Friday burglary investigation may result in a Broseley man facing federal charges for illegally possessing a firearm.
At about 9 a.m. Friday, Butler County Cpl. James “Bo” Skinner was contacted by Dallas Tanner who reported Nathern Carlton Wombles has broken into his Highway Z residence and was still there.
Tanner, according to Skinner’s report, had arrived home to find Wombles allegedly exiting his residence. Wombles reportedly did not have permission to enter Tanner’s home.
Upon Skinner’s arrival, Wombles, 32, was arrested on suspicion of second-degree burglary and second-degree property damage. Wombles reportedly had been found hiding in a barn on the property.
“Mr. Tanner advised that Mr. Wombles had came to his residence sometime during the evening hours” on Thursday, Skinner said.
Tanner further reported Wombles’ girlfriend had came to his residence earlier Thursday and been told to leave, Skinner said.
“Mr. Tanner advised that sometime later Mr. Wombles arrived at his residence on foot,” Skinner said. “(He) advised that Mr. Wombles started accusing him of messing with (his girlfriend).
“Mr. Tanner advised that he told Mr. Wombles that he was not messing with (the woman) and that he told her to leave when she showed up.”
Tanner, Skinner said, then took Wombles to his residence in the 6600 block of County Road 604.
“Mr. Tanner advised while he was at Mr. Wombles residence, he observed a 12-gauge shotgun hanging on the bedroom wall,” Skinner said “ … (He) advised that Mr. Wombles told him the gun was ‘hot,’” which commonly means it’s stolen.
Skinner said Tanner further reported he was aware Wombles was a convicted felon, and as such was not supposed to be in possession of a firearm.
On Friday, as Tanner was preparing to leave his residence, Wombles allegedly arrived and again began accusing him of “messing with” his girlfriend.
“Mr. Tanner advised he told Mr. Wombles to leave,” Skinner said. “(He) advised that he then locked his house up, and he and his son left the residence,” so Wombles wouldn’t cause a scene in front of his son.
Tanner, Skinner said, left Wombles standing in his front yard.
When Tanner returned a short time later, he reportedly found Wombles exiting his home and two of its doors damaged.
Skinner said he and Investigator Randle Huddleston responded at Wombles’ home and secured it.
Huddleston, he said, then applied for a search warrant.
During its execution, Skinner said, they found a 12-gauge pump shotgun and a live round in a bedroom in Wombles’ home.
“The serial number had been ground off,” Skinner said. “The live shotgun shell was located on the dresser under where the shotgun was hanging on the wall.”
The shotgun and shell subsequently were photographed and placed into evidence.
In addition to the burglary and property damage charges, charges of unlawful possession of firearms by certain persons (convicted felon) and possession of a defaced firearm are being sought in Butler County against Wombles.
Wombles is being held in the Butler County jail on a warrant for parole violation and a failure to appear warrant for no insurance.
Skinner said he already has been in contact with a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives agent regarding Wombles’ case.
Wombles, according to Casenet, pleaded guilty in April 2015 to the Class D felony of first-degree property damage and was sentenced to four years in the Missouri Department of Corrections.
Wombles’ sentence was ordered to be served concurrently with a seven-year sentence he received after being found in violation of his probation on a Class C felony of possession of a controlled substance.