CHARLESTON, Mo. - An inmate caught with an improvised knife now faces additional charges.
Van Lynn Owens, 47, of East Prairie, who was already jailed on multiple burglary and victim tampering charges, will be arraigned Jan. 25 on a felony charge of possession of a weapon in a county jail, according to online court records. He is scheduled to appear before Associate Judge S. Rob Barker.
Mississippi County Sheriff Cory Hutcheson reported an investigation began last week when Corrections Officer Faith Altamirano noticed Owens concealing a sharp instrument while he was inside a general population area of the Mississippi County Detention Center. Altamirano seized the improvised knife and turned it over to Sergeant Ryan Hill, who submitted a report seeking charges against Owens.
As of press time, Owens remains in the Mississippi County Detention Center with total bond set at $150,000.