Archive for 2020

The Dent County Sheriffs Department has released some reports. On Wednesday November 11th, the Dent County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a one vehicle traffic accident on East Highway 32 between Salem and Boss for a motor vehicle accident. Deputies traveled to the location and during the course of the incident, the driver of the vehicle, a 34-year-old Salem man, was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended, a 1st offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. The next day, November 12th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Wilkins Avenue and Highway 72. As a result of the traffic stop, a 65-year-old Bunker man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. On Sunday the 15th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 100 block of Route EE. As a result of the traffic stop, a 26-year-old Salem man was arrested for having an active warrant through the Salem Police Department. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated. On Wednesday, November 18th, a deputy observed a 33-year-old Salem man in the 1300 block of South Wines Street. The deputy knew the man to have an active arrest warrant through Dent County. He was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. If you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation please call the Dent County sheriffs office at 729-3241.

A second phase of a long-term narcotics investigation including the Dent County Sheriff’s Department, Salem Police Department, the South Central Task Force and Missouri Highway Patrol and Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley resulted in the arrest of 25 individuals on Monday, November 22nd. Over the course of the past 18 months, the South Central Task Force and a deputy with the Dent County Sheriff’s Department conducted a series of covert narcotics investigations involving the distribution/sales of methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl and prescription medications. Arrest warrants for each defendant were obtained through the Dent County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office prior to the arrest operations being initiated Monday morning at 6:00. Members of the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, Salem Police Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol made the arrests. More arrests may still be made from this undercover investigation. Arrests on Monday included 30-year old Sierra McCurdy, 25-year old Dakota Bone, 30-year old Courtner Mendenhall, 30-year Ashley Soder, 33-year old Amber Good, 41-year old Vada Calkins, and 41-year old Tiffany Billiot, 25-year old Jesse Inman, and 21-year old Shane Murr, all of Salem, who were arrested on a Dent County warrant issued for one count of delivery of a controlled substance with bond set at $20,000; plus 33-year old Ashley Anderson of Rolla and 41-year old Tiffany Billiot of Lecoma, were also arrested on a Dent County warrant issued for one count of delivery of a controlled substance with bond set at $20,000. More arrests included were 42-year old Cheri Sturdivant and 35-year old Justin Miller of Salem along with 30-year old Devin Glore of Branson were each arrested on a Dent County warrant issued for one count of delivery of a controlled substance with bond set at $30,000; 40-year old Meredith Michaels and 34-year old Lavar Mullen of Salem as well as 39-year old Mark Calkins of Rolla were each arrested on a Dent County warrant issued for two counts of delivery of a controlled substance with bond set at $40,000. Other arrests include 25-year old Austin Carter, 30-year old Brandon Inman and 36-year old Megan Heath-Fisk of Salem, as well as 35-year old Danielle Casados of Rolla and 33-year old Kathleen O’Donnell of St. James who were arrested on a Dent County warrant issued for one count of delivery of a controlled substance with bond set at $50,000; plus 35-year old Dawnyale Coffman of Salem, 30-year old Joshua Coffman and 30-year old Brice Mullins of Salem as well as Faith Brown of Steelville were each arrested on a Dent County warrant issued for two counts of delivery of a controlled substance with bond set at $60,000. The charges for those arrested are just accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be present before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

You still have time to sign up for the first annual “Santa Dash” to be held this Saturday afternoon beginning at 3:00 sponsored by Healthy Dent County. Right now you can pre-register for the event at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory at 1200 W. Rolla Road in Salem. The first 30 people to do so will get a Santa themed crew neck sweatshirt. All participants will receive a Santa hat, and glow necklace. The cost for student up to 18 years of age is $25 and adults are $30 each. Santa or holiday attire is encouraged!! Registration will also be held Saturday afternoon at 2:00 at the courthouse square. At 3:00, Dashers will head down 4th Street from Highway 19, to MacArthur and back. For any questions or for more information, please contact Kelsey Schatz at 729-8163 or kelsey@salemcommunitycenter.org.

The Dent County Sheriff’s office has released a number of reports. On Monday the 2nd, deputies traveled to a residence in the 3000 block of Highway P to serve an arrest warrant. Deputies arrived on scene and during the course of the incident, a 49-year-old Salem man was arrested for having an active warrant through Dent County. He was transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. Then on Thursday the 5th, a deputy responded to the 6000 block of Dent County Road 5610 for a report of a burglary. The deputy arrived on scene and discovered that a 54-year old Salem resident was the reported victim. This report is still under investigation. The next day, a deputy traveled to a residence in the 200 block of county road 4060 to serve an arrest warrant. As a result of the investigation, a 31-year-old Salem woman was arrested for an active warrant through Probation and Parole. She was transported to the Dent County Jail where she was incarcerated. That same day a deputy conducted a traffic stop at Highway 72 and Dent County Road 3210. During the course of the traffic stop, a 50-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. On Saturday the 7th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 200 block of West Third Street. As a result of the stop, a 57-year-old Salem man was arrested for possession of controlled substance except 35 grams or less of marijuana/synthetic cannabinoid, and driving while having his license revoked or suspended, a 1st offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated. On Monday the 9th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 3000 block of South Highway 19. During the course of the traffic stop, a 22-year-old Salem man was arrested for the possession of a controlled substance and driving while having his license revoked or suspended. He was taken to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated. If you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation, please call the Dent County Sheriff’s office at 729-3241.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports. On Saturday night, November 7th at about 9:00, an officer was dispatched to the 700 block of north Washington for the report of an intoxicated male subject acting belligerent. Upon arrival at the scene, a man was located that was visibly intoxicated and acting erratic. It was found that he had an active warrant for his arrest through the Dent County Sheriff’s Office. As a result, the 35-year-old Salem man was arrested and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. On Monday afternoon, November 9th, near 3:30, an officer was dispatched to the 100 block of South Washington Street for a report of items being stolen out of a vehicle during the overnight hours. It was reported that cash and other miscellaneous items were taken from inside the vehicle valued at about $290. This incident is currently still under investigation. Then on Tuesday, November 10th around noon, an officer was on routine traffic patrol when he noticed a black Dodge Charger traveling at a high rate of speed weaving in and out of traffic near Wal-Mart on Highway 32-72 West. The officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop but the driver continued to drive in a careless manner failing to stop for the pursuing officer. The Charger traveled south on Highway 19 before turning around aggressively in the South Town Furniture parking lot and continuing back north. The driver finally came to a stop at Subway. After further investigation, a 23-year-old Piedmont man was arrested for Careless and Imprudent Driving and Resisting Arrest. He was later released on a summons to appear in court. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports 10 people died in traffic crashes during this year’s Thanksgiving holiday counting period. During the Thanksgiving holiday counting period, troopers report the following preliminary traffic statistics for 2020. The Patrol investigated 321 crashes resulting in 72 injuries and 9 fatalities. One fatality occurred in Springfield on Glenstone Avenue. In addition there were 100 DWI arrests and 78 drug arrests. During the 2019 Thanksgiving holiday counting period, troopers investigated 404 traffic crashes, which included seven fatalities and 166 injuries. Statewide, 11 people died and 634 people were injured in 1,594 traffic crashes over last year’s Thanksgiving holiday. Troopers arrested 94 people for driving while intoxicated and made 63 drug arrests during the 2019 Thanksgiving holiday counting period.