A Poplar Bluff man who fled from park rangers in August has been convicted of felony charges, along with multiple other individuals prosecuted recently related to crimes that occurred in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.
The federal felony investigations took place in 2020 and 2021, according to a press release from the Riverways.
“One of our top priorities is to provide an experience for our visitors that is safe and family-friendly,” Superintendent Jason Lott states. “We will continue to address illegal activity and inappropriate behaviors within the park to ensure all visitors can enjoy the many wonderful opportunities that Ozark National Scenic Riverways and our local communities have to offer.”
The mission of National Park Service law enforcement rangers and special agents is the prevention, detection and investigation of criminal activity to fulfill the agency’s congressional mission and mandate to administer areas under their care in such manner that they are free of criminal activities, according to officials.
Darryl W. Maberry, 61, of Poplar Bluff pleaded guilty to one felony count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was sentenced in February to six months home detention followed by two years intensive probation. Maberry is a previously convicted felon.
According to court records, Maberry was arrested Aug. 5, 2021, near Grandin, after he fled National Park Service law enforcement rangers who attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle he was driving within the national park. Maberry led rangers on a pursuit lasting over 7 miles before he eventually submitted to arrest, according to law enforcement.
Rangers say a search of the vehicle revealed a semiautomatic pistol, ammunition, methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and homemade body armor.
NPS law enforcement rangers were assisted in the pursuit and investigation by the Missouri Highway Patrol and Carter County Sheriff’s Office.
Thomas D. Beck Jr., 38, of St. Genevieve pleaded guilty to both felony counts of a two-count indictment charging him with assaulting a federal law enforcement officer and malicious destruction of property. Beck was sentenced in February to three years of intensive probation and restitution to the victim in the amount of $930.36.
According to court records, Beck was arrested by NPS law enforcement rangers on July 7, 2021, near the Akers Ferry Canoe Rental in Shannon County.
While in an intoxicated condition, Beck got into an argument with another man and broke the windshield out of a nearby vehicle with a kayak paddle, rangers report. When confronted by law enforcement rangers, Beck resisted efforts to take him into custody, resulting in his physical restraint.
National L. Roberts, 22, of Winona, pleaded guilty to one felony count of possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of controlled substances. On March 22, Roberts was sentenced to time-served in addition to three years intensive probation, according to law enforcement.
Roberts was arrested on July 29, 2021, during a vehicle stop near Rocky Falls in Shannon County when law enforcement rangers found him to be in possession of drug paraphernalia and a Marlin rifle. According to court records, investigation (including chemical testing) determined Roberts was under the influence of
marijuana and methamphetamine.
Jason R. Bettis, 43, of Winona pleaded guilty to one felony count of possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance. On March 22, Bettis was sentenced to 18 months incarceration in the Federal Bureau of Prisons followed by three years intensive probation, law enforcement report.
According to court records, Bettis was arrested Aug. 29, 2020, by NPS law enforcement rangers on Highway 106 near Alley Mill in Shannon County for driving under the influence. Upon his arrest, law enforcement rangers located hypodermic syringes and three bundles of methamphetamine in his pocket and a firearm under his seat. A computer check indicated the firearm had been reported stolen to police in Paragould, Arkansas.