ST. CLAIR COUNTY SHERIFF

Sheriff Scott Keeler reported deputies made 6 arrests and took a property damage report and started an investigation into dead cattle during the week of March 11-18, 2019.

Warrant Arrests

Stephen Cutbirth- On March 17, Stephen Cutbith, was arrested by a St. Clair County deputy on a class B misdemeanor driving while intoxicated. Cutbirth was booked and released after a 12 hour detox.

The arrest comes after a citizen called into the Sheriff’s Office to report a careless and imprudent driver. The deputy located the vehicle and tried to get the driver to pull over. The driver did not immediately pull the car over and stop for the deputy. Once stopped the driver, Cutbirth, tired to exit the vehicle. The deputy assisted Cutbirth to the side of the vehicle and checked him for weapons. The deputy did find a revolver pistol inside his jacket. While doing the pat down the deputy could smell the strong odor of intoxicants coming from Cutbirth.

Cutbirth was asked to perform a field sobriety test. Cutbirth failed. Once at the jail, the deputy performed a breathalyzer test. The results indicated Cutbirth had a blood alcohol content of .105%.

Ana Ayala- On March 16, Ana Ayala, 37, St. Joseph, was arrested by a St. Clair County deputy on a Buchanan County warrant for a class C misdemeanor violation of education requirement for a child. Bond is set at $250 cash only.

The warrant comes from Buchanan County in August of 2018.

Garrett Murphy- On March 16, Garrett Murphy, 24, Strafford, was arrested by a St. Clair County deputy on a class D felony possession of a controlled substance, a class E felony unlawful use of a weapon-possess a weapon and a felony controlled substance, and a class D misdemeanor unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Murphy was booked and released pending formal charges.

The arrest comes after a St. Clair County deputy performed a traffic stop on the vehicle Murphy was driving for multiple equipment violations. After making contact with the driver, the deputy asked if there was anything illegal in the vehicle. Murphy did state he had a pistol on his person. The deputy had Murphy step out of the vehicle so that he could retrieve the weapon and secure for safety reasons. The deputy asked for and was denied consent to search the vehicle. The deputy informed Murphy he was going to have a K9 unit come to the scene. Murphy then handed the deputy a glass pipe from his jacket along with a zip lock bag with a crystal like substance.

Murphy then gave the deputy consent to search the vehicle. During the search of the vehicle the deputy recovered the marijuana, two syringes, another zip lock bag with a crystal like substance, a camouflage plastic container with a crystal like substance, and multiple rounds of ammo for the weapon.  The glass pipe did field test positive for methamphetamine.

Randee Thomas- On March 11, Randee Thomas, 48, Appleton City, was arrested on a St. Clair County warrant charging her with a class C felony stealing-$25,000 or more. Bond is set at $15,000 cash or surety.

The warrant comes after a St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office investigation into an embezzlement claim. During the investigation, it was found that Thomas had paid for personal finances out of a business account.

Terri Woods- On March 11, Terri Woods, 51, Branson, was arrested by a St. Clair County deputy on a class D felony possession of a controlled substance and a class D misdemeanor unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Woods was booked and released pending formal charges.

The arrest comes after a St. Clair County was checking a suspicious vehicle parked at the Pilot Travel Center. The deputy made contact with the occupants of the vehicle. While speaking with the driver, Woods, the deputy asked if there was anything illegal in the vehicle. Woods stated there was a methamphetamine pipe in her purse. Woods was asked to empty her pockets with negative findings. The deputy asked for and was granted consent to search the vehicle by Woods. During the search, the glass pipe was recovered from where Woods said it would be. The continued search resulted in negative findings. The residue in the glass pipe did field test positive for methamphetamine.

Janice Davis- On March 11, Janice Davis, 63, Branson, was arrested by a St. Clair County deputy on a class D felony possession of a controlled substance. Davis was booked and released pending formal charges.

The arrest comes after a St. Clair County deputy was checking on a suspicious vehicle parked at the Pilot Travel Center. The deputy made contact with the occupants of the vehicle. After speaking with the driver, the deputy spoke with the passenger, Davis. The deputy asked for consent to search Davis’ personal belongings. Davis did give consent. She was also asked to empty her pockets. After removing her hand from her pocket, the deputy observed a cellophane wrapper, Davis was trying to hide. When asked what was in her hand, she stated nothing, and threw it to the ground. The deputy recovered the wrapper that contained a crystal like substance. The substance did field test positive for methamphetamine.

Disclaimer: Arrest records are public information. Any indication of an arrest does not mean the individual identified has been convicted of a crime. All persons arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Property Damage in Osceola

On March 16, a St. Clair County deputy was dispatched to a residence on NW100 Road in reference to property damage by fire.

Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with Nina Wilson. Wilson advised, Victor Garret, owns the property and the shed where she resides. She stated when she moved in she was allowed to put some of her belongings into the shed. Wilson stated she saw the shed on fire and Garret was standing next to it. Wilson stated she had a stove, dryer, four wheeler, television and decorations inside the shed when it was set on fire. Wilson estimated the total loss value of her belongings is $1,800.

Contact was made with Victor Garret. Garret advised he owns the shed. He stated he advised Wilson multiple times to remove her belongings from the shed because he wanted to get rid of the shed. Garret advised Wilson refused to remove her belongings.

Cattle Found Dead in Collins

On March 13, St. Clair County deputies were dispatched near the 8600 block of SE 750 Road in reference to dead cattle.

Upon arrival the deputies located an abandoned house on the property. The deputies observed three dead cattle inside the house and one just outside the sliding glass door. The deputies located three more dead cattle inside the barn on the property.

A deputy made contact with the property owner by phone. The property owner stated that the last person that was taking care of his cows was not doing an adequate job. When the deputy asked about the dead cows, the property owner stated that the person that is buying the property was going to take care of them.

Photographs were taken to document the findings.

Sheriff Keeler urges those with any related information to these cases or any others to contact the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line, 417-646-5832, or email to tips@scsomo.org.