FRANKLIN COUNTY, MO (KTVI) - Drug cops made a record breaking bust in Franklin County. The majority of those entering treatment were 21-25 years olds. biggest drug bust in springfield, missouri. 673 people were treated for cocaine/crack addiction who used the drug other than smoking it. The Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control serves as the collection and entry point for statewide methamphetamine laboratory seizures. The News-Leader obtaineddata from the Springfield Police Department on how much heroin, meth, cocaine, marijuana, ecstasy and LSD its investigators have seized over the last six years. Drug task force officers who worked the largest meth bust in Northeast Wisconsin say the drugs came from the Mexico Drug Cartel and were trafficked from Missouri to Wisconsin. Sheron Loggins, also known as Bane, 47, of Florissant, Missouri; Jerry Bedell, also known as dAndre, 29, his father, Jerry Wheeler, also known as Love, 44, his significant other, Bethany Rice, 29, all of Springfield, Missouri, and his mother, Nichole Bedell, 48, of Nixa, Missouri; and Delante Worsham, 35, Crystal J. Hill, 23, William Leath, also known as Chill, 44, Marquise Martin, 29, Robin Roberts, 50, and Laurel J. Lindsey, also known as Mama, 47, all of Springfield, were among those charged in November and December 2019. Shirley J. Hicks, 61, Raymon F. Ortega, 63, Benny D. Griffin, 57, Jose I. Gonzales, 37, Jordan W. Gutierrez, 25, and Shaun M. Ross, 39, all of West Plains, Missouri; Fontella J. Noose, 38, of Springfield, Missouri; James E. Cooper, 52, of Mountain View, Missouri; and Luis Ortiz Rodriguez, 36, address unknown, were charged in a 19-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield on Tuesday, Aug. 20. The number of drug induced deaths in 2007 remained consistent with the national figure. Reece said the meth found in Springfield today is usually ahigh-quality varietymade in Mexico and imported to the United States. Tapia was also delivering 10 pounds of meth worth tens of thousands of dollars every two weeks to one of the biggest meth rings ever to plaguesouthwest Missouri. The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require the defendants to forfeit to the government any property derived from the proceeds of the alleged drug-trafficking conspiracy, including $2,200 seized by law enforcement from Glossons residence on March 7, 2019; $11,266 seized by law enforcement from a vehicle occupied by Dailey and Morgan on Nov. 14, 2019; $5,214 seized by law enforcement from Farisses hotel room on Nov. 14, 2019; and $4,400 belonging to Dailey, which was seized by law enforcement during the search of a residence on Nov. 27, 2019. Ginnings, Sparks, Patterson, Jones, Hansen, Mainieri, Hoyt, King, Nelson, and Zieger also are charged together in one count of being felons in possession of multiple firearms and ammunition. All of the defendants are also charged with participating in a money-laundering conspiracy during that time to use drug sale proceeds to promote the drug-trafficking conspiracy and to conceal the proceeds of that drug-trafficking conspiracy. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. Ortega allegedly was also in possession of a Ruger .22-caliber rifle, two Marlin .22-caliber rifles, and two Browning .22-caliber pistols on June 21, 2019. The Missouri state page provides you with a quick overview of issues relating to drug and alcohol addiction, Missouri drug abuse statistics, and MO drug rehab centers. These cases were investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration St. Louis Division Task Force Group in Springfield; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Springfield, Mo., Police Department; the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff's Department; the Phelps County, Mo., Sheriff's Department; the Bourbon, Mo., Police Department; An official website of the United States government. All calls are answered by Lakeview Health staff. 400 East 9th Street If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica R. Keller. We invite you to share your journey of recovery and be featured on Recovery Connection! From all accounts, the high is euphoric, and the sobering crash back down to earth, painful. Christopher Brian Rogan, 44, no known address, was also charged in the superseding indictment and is a fugitive from justice. In 2015, Springfield police seized more heroin than in the previous three years combined. The PCP rate of admissions was slightly higher in Missouri than in other states. - Three Springfield, Missouri, residents were sentenced in federal court today for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute large amounts of methamphetamine. A Drug Enforcement Agency spokesman told the News-Leader this summer the Ozarks has a reputation nationwide for meth,particularly the homemade variety. Other Opiates That number has remained consistent since 2002. The former church deacon who said he turned back to meth after his wife's death. KANSAS CITY, Mo. This prosecution was brought as a part of the Department of Justices Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Co-located Strike Forces Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. It should be noted that these Missouri drug abuse statistics are not intended as an academic reference. We focus more on the harder scale drugs like meth and heroin. In 2010, 10,600 people entered alcohol addiction treatment in Missouri for alcohol as a primary substance of abuse with an additional 8,605 people who entered alcohol addiction treatment with alcohol combined with a secondary drug of abuse. 18-25 year olds were among the group most suffering from unmet treatment needs for alcohol dependency in 2006 and it ranked among the highest in the country for this demographic. Nine individuals, primarily from West Plains, Mo., have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Howell, Greene, and Texas counties. These figures can be verified by contacting the Missouri State Highway Patrol at 573-526-6305. Springfield officials say drugs are linked to all types of crime in southwest Missouri from stealing to domestic violence. GREENE COUNTY, Mo. Bedell allegedly possessed a .223-caliber semi-automatic pistol without a serial number, a Springfield Armory .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol, and a Ruger .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol on Sept. 12, 2019. National Park Service says never push a slower friend down when escaping a bear, Springfield police ask for help to identify suspects after SUV hit a gas pump, Insect found outside Arkansas Walmart identified as Jurassic-era insect, Missouri State falls short in MVC quarterfinals against Southern Illinois, NASCAR star Elliott has leg surgery after snowboard accident. You wake up and your primary mission of the day is find that way to get high. Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Carlos Tapia, a man they knew as a dedicated father with no criminal history, was a drug mule. Springfield woman at'ground zero' of drug ring gets 22 months in prison, Ozarks women indicted for meth feds say they found (some in underwear), 4 men tried to sneak meth into Christian County Jail and it almost worked, Prosecutors ask for life sentence for 'career offender' in Springfield meth ring, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. All rights reserved (About Us). SPRINGFIELD, Mo. That indictment was unsealed and made public following their arrests. (KY3) - Officers with the Springfield Police Department's Special Investigations Unit made a large drug bust after serving a search warrant on August 6. According to the indictment, conspirators received $4,160,000 in exchange for the unlawful distribution of more than 520 kilograms of methamphetamine, based on an average street price of $8,000 per kilogram of methamphetamine. Griffin, who has previously been convicted of at least one felony offense, allegedly was in possession of a Ruger .22-caliber pistol on Nov. 26, 2018. Mercy Hospitals Emergency Room in Springfield often treats drug addicts. Data from the county coroner for the last few years suggests meth is more deadly than ever before. Reece said heroin cases are a priority for his detectives in the special investigations sectionbecause the drug has reportedly been responsible for at least 21deaths in Greene County over the last two years. Officers pulled them over, seizingthe Harley and $34,310 incash. "So they opened the door.". U.S. Attorney's Office Fill out the form below and one of our team members will reach out to help you get started. All calls are confidential. Bobbie Lynn King, 51, and Patricia Gail Nelson, also known as Mama Pat, 60, both of Kansas City, Missouri; Michael Glen Zieger, also known as Lees Summit Mike, 43, of Lees Summit, Missouri; Amanda Leigh Watson, 33, of St. Joseph, Missouri; and Logan Tanner Laws, 28, of Shelbina, Missouri, were arrested on July 23, 2020, after being charged in a six-count superseding indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City on July 21, 2020. Glosson is also charged with one count of possessing heroin with the intent to distribute, one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and two counts of being an unlawful user of controlled substances (heroin) in possession of firearms. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Additionally, Hodges is charged with one count of possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug-trafficking crimes, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Updated: Apr 15, 2021 / 07:37 PM EDT. Rates for alcohol abuse or dependence in 2006 remained above average for all age groups in Missouri while rates for drug dependence have been below the national average for the same time. Ortega also is charged with one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute in Howell County, one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and two counts of being a felon in possession of firearms. On an average weekday, hecould look out his front picture window and see children running around themulti-color playground of Sunshine Elementary School directly across the street. Amphetamine/Methamphetamine The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require Ortega to forfeit to the government $10,924 that was seized by law enforcement officers; Hicks to forfeit to the government $20,393 that was seized by law enforcement officers; and Griffin to forfeit $16,078 that was seized by law enforcement officers. The Springfield Police Department announced Wednesday that it has raided a major Western Massachusetts drug trafficking operation, seizing over 2 kilograms of heroin, 490 grams of cocaine,. The superseding indictment replaces an earlier indictment and includes additional defendants. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. How Can a Florida Heroin Rehab Center Help Me? ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. "I think the problem is only continuing to skyrocket and blossom in our community," Martin said. They know mine; I know theirs.. Tapia was also delivering 10 pounds of meth worth tens of thousands of dollars every two weeks to one of the biggest meth rings ever to plague southwest Missouri. Located in the heart of the Bible Belt, where Jesus is King and you can find a church on every corner, not too long ago, you could find a meth lab just as easily. All loss of hope, eating out of dumpsters so I wouldnt be hungry.. The trooper found 88 pounds of methamphetamine during a traffic stop on Interstate 70 at mile marker 79, about 50 miles west of Columbia. Leath allegedly possessed an RG .25-caliber semi-automatic pistol and a Ruger .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol on Dec. 14, 2018, and a Ruger 9mm semi-automatic pistol on May 22, 2019. Thankful he lived to tell the story, the thought of rock bottom brings tears to Pickens eyes. Noose, who has previously been convicted of at least one felony offense, allegedly was in possession of a Taurus .38-caliber revolver on Feb. 11, 2019. Marijuana was the most commonly cited drug of abuse in Missouri in 2007. Stewart is also charged with one count of distributing heroin and/or fentanyl. ; David Robert Richards II, 32, of Louisburg, Kan.; Christian Douglas Hansen, 41, of St. Louis, Mo. MSHP trooper recovers 88 pounds of meth from traffic stop in Saline County, Mo. Hodges allegedly possessed a Kel-Tec .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol on June 4, 2019. And through the first nine months of2016, theyseized more than 10 times last year's total. A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine after leading law enforcement officers on a high-speed Western District of Missouri Wed see explosions, burns, other traumatic injuries. A lock ( Earlier this week, troopers confiscated 187 pounds of marijuana from a vehicle in Webster County. I did my residency in Cleveland, Ohio, and over four years I didnt see one patient on meth, Jones said. With 189 in Greene County, that was second only to Jefferson County near St. Louis. While seizures like that don't happen often, data obtained by the News-Leader shows the amount of drugs seized by the Springfield Police Department's investigative units has been increasing over the last six years. Thats why it often takes more than medicine to save a life from addiction. "The demand for our services has not decreased at all.". Hodges is also charged with one count of possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school. Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno praised the Springfield Police Department for taking "poison" off of the city's streets and urged judges to impose lengthy sentences for the suspects' alleged crimes. The trooper had stopped a driver for a traffic violation in Saline County. CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. They just swarmed it, Flesch said. "I want to thank the leadership of Commissioner Barbieri, D.A. . Sgt. Two men from California face drug trafficking charges in that investigation. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence. Official websites use .gov methamphetamine with the intent to distribute in Howell County and one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug . While many Americans were putting turkeys in ovens, watching football in the living room, or driving to their grandmothers' houses, officers were listening to the phone calls of Friend and Harmon. KC Metro Strike Force Unfortunately, in Missouri the number of meth lab seizures has risen between 2007 and 2009 from 1,261 to 1,732 incidents. Springfield Police Lt. Lawrence Murphy credited Det. . Patrick Brigaudin, 54, is one of four men charged last week with . The first indictment came Dec. 10, 2014. Cocaine Any street corner, any hotel room you go to around here, you can find meth, Cody Pickens, a recovered meth addict, told KOLR 10. The U.S. attorney's office for the Western District of Missouri said 15 residents of Joplin and Carl Junction were charged in a 41-count indictment returned under seal by a grand jury in . One of the biggest year-to-year spikes in the data was the amount of cocaine seized by investigators in 2016. On the county level, the number of busts and seizures decreases from nearly 200 to just three. That year, the Greene County coroner recorded 7 deaths from the drug. Charlie Romine is also a former addict. -- 12 pounds of meth and 6.5 pounds of heroin, seized from a Springfield home. To read part two of our investigation, Life After Meth, click here. 'Everything went to hell in a handbasket'. He said the reason investigators are seizing more of the drug is because the current system of dealers bringing meth in from out of state lends itself to multi-pound seizures, like the one on Feb. 29. ; and Stephanie Thurmond, 29, Leeanna Michelle Schroeder, 27, and Adam Joseph Mainieri, 32, all of Winfield, Mo. Fax Line:(816) 426-4210. The raid stemmed from a two month investigation of an alleged "stash house" for a Holyoke-based drug ring at 1251 Bay Street in Springfield, police said. For two months, she sat and watched her new neighbors a woman she called "tattoo lady," a man, and a young boy and girl. Hopefully, all this hard work does not go for want - due to some of our judges in our court system,"Sarno said in a statement. "We get the occasional hit on those," Reece said. Room 5510 To report a correction or typo, please email digitalnews@ky3.com, Greene County traffic stop leads MSHP to 110 pounds of marijuana, National Park Service says never push a slower friend down when escaping a bear, Springfield police ask for help to identify suspects after SUV hit a gas pump, Insect found outside Arkansas Walmart identified as Jurassic-era insect, Missouri State falls short in MVC quarterfinals against Southern Illinois, NASCAR star Elliott has leg surgery after snowboard accident. The most common form of ingestion was smoking. Other family and friends noted his generosity, saying he supported his own family and others financially even helping pay for the schooling of the son of a family friend after his father walked out on them. Kansas City, MO 64106, Telephone:(816) 426-3122 On Thanksgiving, Friend and his girlfriend hopped on his motorcycle and headed to meet Harmon. Farisse allegedly was in possession of a Ruger .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol on Nov. 14, 2019. The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require the defendants to forfeit to the government any property obtained from the proceeds of the drug-trafficking conspiracy, including a money judgment of $4,160,000. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. Major Springfield Drug Bust Part of Year-Long Investigation by: Lindsay Clein. Have a question about Government Services? Robert Patruno with leading the stash house investigation, and said the broader investigation into the Holyoke-based drug ringcontinues. Whether youre looking for treatment or for aftercare options, we can point you in the right direction. SALINE COUNTY, Mo. These cases were investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration St. Louis Division Task Force Group in Springfield; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Springfield, Mo., Police Department; the Greene County, Mo., Sheriffs Department; the Phelps County, Mo., Sheriffs Department; the Bourbon, Mo., Police Department; and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Most of the defendants were arrested in a coordinated law enforcement sweep in November 2019 and originally charged in a series of federal criminal complaints, which were followed up by initial indictments in December 2019. Ortega, Hicks, and Griffin would also be required to forfeit to the government a money judgment representing the proceeds obtained as a result of their participation in the alleged drug-trafficking conspiracy. Araujo, Walker, Thurmond, Schroeder, Meyers, Hack, Bechtel, Laws, and Parton also are charged together in one count of being drug users in possession of multiple firearms and ammunition. Though he doesnt know for sure, Jones hears that meth in the Ozarks could now be coming from south of the border. Lock (KY3) - A trooper from the Missouri State Highway Patrol made a huge drug bust Monday during a traffic stop in Saline County. So far this year, investigators with the SPDs Special Investigations Section have taken almost five pounds of heroin off the streets of Springfield. A nearly three-year investigation culminated on Feb. 29 when, according to court documents, investigators rushed into a garage on East McDaniel Street and found 12 pounds of meth and more than six pounds of heroin hidden in a truck. The Drug Enforcement Administration believes the group was responsible for bringing hundreds of pounds into the Ozarks. The man and woman were arrested, Flesch said, and police started taking items out in brown paper bags. I guess the cops were watching them, too, but I didnt know that, Flesch said. Lock ; Markus Michael A. Patterson, 37, of Grandview, Mo. A locked padlock In 2010, 4,341 people were admitted to addiction treatment facilities for heroin addiction. Noose also is charged with one count of distributing methamphetamine in Greene County and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Police say they have seized 626 grams of cocaine this year after taking only 17 grams in 2015. Crawford allegedly possessed an Armscor of the Philippines 9mm semi-automatic pistol on Dec. 3, 2018, and a Lorcin .25-caliber semi-automatic pistol on Jan. 15, 2019. (null!=i&&i!=o.tag||null!=t&&t!=o.priority)}),gform.hooks[o][n]=r)}}); document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); How to Choose The Right Drug and Alcohol Treatment Program, Addiction Treatment Focused on Health And Wellness in FL (Florida). The percent between men and women for other opiate addiction was fairly equal. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations, and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States. Meth is everywhere. Heroin And in 2019, the medical examiner reports 67 people, more than double the year before, died from meth in Greene County. The only thing that connected them was meth. Meth ringthat plagued the Ozarks could cost taxpayers $11 million in prison. (KY3) - Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers seized 110 pounds of marijuana Saturday morning from a traffic stop in Greene County. On Thanksgiving 2014, Flesch fixed dinner, put on a jacket and sat out front. Leath is also charged with possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, possessing firearms in furtherance of drug-trafficking crimes, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the FBI, and the Buchanan County, Mo., Sheriffs Department. I just wanted to get high.. These prosecutor-led co-located Strike Forces capitalize on the synergy created through the long-term relationships that can be forged by agents, analysts, and prosecutors who remain together over time, and they epitomize the model that has proven most effective in combating organized crime. In addition to the conspiracy, Crawford is charged with three counts of possessing heroin or fentanyl with the intent to distribute, two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. His family and friends apparently couldn't believe it. So if you wake up and you dont already have something, thats what youre gonna do. Dan Banasik,a Missouri State Highway Patrol supervising sergeant for narcotics, was the lead investigator in 2011 when the feds took down a multi-pound cocaine distribution ring that was operating in Springfield and Nixa. The only structure to the group appears to be itstwo kingpins Kenna Harmon and Kenneth Friend who facilitated purchasing and distribution. Domestic Cannabis Suppression / Eradication Program, Red Ribbon Toolkit - Resources For Your Community, DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Intelligence Research Specialist Job Announcements, Schedule A Hiring Authority: Intelligence Research Specialist, Privacy Impact Assessment and Management Information Systems, Victim Witness Assistance Program Resources. 3,277 people were admitted to treatment for cocaine addiction. Among the defendants who were arrested and charged in November and December 2019, 19 defendants along with two new defendants were charged in two separate superseding indictments this week. Kansas City, MO 64106, Telephone:(816) 426-3122 - Eleven residents in the Kansas City, Missouri, and St. Joseph, Missouri, areas have been added to a federal indictment that now charges a total of 25 defendants for their roles in a $4.1 million drug-trafficking conspiracy that distributed more than 520 kilograms of methamphetamine over three years. A superseding indictment in April 2015 raised the number to 19, then 10 more were tacked on in a second superseding indictment three months later. The Greene County Medical Examiner's Office says there have been 56 confirmed drug overdose deaths in the county this year and several more cases are still pending complete results. This case is actively being investigated by SPD and as part of a Career Criminal Task Force (CCTF) case in conjunction with FBI. But back at her house in Republic, feds found$20,000 in cash, more than 5 pounds of meth, and a loaded handgun in a nightstand drawer. In 2009, the Treatment Episode Data Set indicated that 48,628 people entered drug and alcohol rehabs in Missouri. Reece said those spikes were likely the result of a couple of big seizures and not a reflection of increased use of the drugs in Springfield. Faced with decades in federal prison, people started flipping. There were 5,088 admissions for drug and alcohol treatment for amphetamine addiction in 2010. When the weather is nice, Flesch, who's in her 60s now, likes to sit outside on her front porch and letthe dogs play in the yard. A federal. Glosson was allegedly in possession of a Ruger 9mm semi-automatic pistol and a Glock 9mm semi-automatic pistol on Oct. 23, 2019. The latest figure for people who went to rehab for methamphetamine is not available, but all reports indicate that the number is increasing rapidly. In total over the last six years, the Springfield Police Department's investigative units seized 251,520grams of marijuana, 81,713 grams of meth, 1,122grams of cocaine, 4,751 grams of heroin, 6,903 grams of LSD and 372 grams of ecstasy. Lock Two additional defendants were charged in one of the two separate, but related, superseding indictments returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield on Tuesday, Feb. 18, for a total of 21 defendants in those two cases. The drug remains a stubborn scourge in southwest Missouri, according to Tim Garrison, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri. Feds decided to pull the plug on Thanksgiving Day 2014, which was a quiet day on a dead-end street in Republic where Beverly Flesch lives. Before you go to work, before you make breakfast for your family, before anything.. Posted: Mar 3 . Additionally, Worsham, Hill, and Hodges are charged together in one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl that caused the death of another person (who is not identified in court documents) and one count of distributing fentanyl on or about Sept. 23, 2018, that caused the death of this person.
