January 24, 2017
Drug investigation brings arrest of three East Prairie men
EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. - An investigation into the distribution of narcotics has led to the arrest of three Mississippi County residents. James Brice Owens, 39, of East Prairie, who was wanted on a charge with unlawful possession of a firearm, now faces an additional charge of felony possession of a controlled substance. His bond is set at $75,000...
EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. - An investigation into the distribution of narcotics has led to the arrest of three Mississippi County residents.
James Brice Owens, 39, of East Prairie, who was wanted on a charge with unlawful possession of a firearm, now faces an additional charge of felony possession of a controlled substance. His bond is set at $75,000.
George Andy Staggs Jr., 57, of East Prairie, who was being sought by officers on a charge distribution of a controlled substance, is also charged with felony possession of a controlled substance and resisting / interfering with arrest for a felony offense. Staggs' bond is set at $51,500.
David Earl Adams, 64, of East Prairie, is charged with felony possession of a controlled substance and hindering prosecution of a felony offense. Bond for Adams is set at $25,000. According to Mississippi County Chief Deputy Branden Caid, the investigation began last week when Sheriff Cory Hutcheson and East Prairie Police Chief Danny Lafferty developed information that narcotics were being distributed from a residence, where they also learned two fugitives, Owens and Staggs, were inside.
On Friday, the officers, accompanied by Chief Deputy Branden Caid, Deputies Lorrie Christian, Britton Ferrell and East Prairie Officer Shannon Lawson, investigated the allegations by going to the residence.
"As the officers approached, George Staggs fled on foot and hid under a nearby camper, but was quickly located by the chief deputy and placed under arrest on a felony warrant," Caid said in a news release.
Hutcheson met in the yard with Adams informing him there was a warrant for Owens' arrest. Asked whether Brice was inside the home, Adams reportedly claimed there was nobody else inside. Ultimately Adams consented to a search of the property, according to Caid.
Owens was found hiding in a back bedroom and placed under arrest. Deputies also located ammunition, methamphetamine, marijuana, synthetic cannabinoids and various items of drug paraphernalia within that bedroom, Caid reported.
As of press time, Owens, Staggs and Adams remain in the Mississippi County Detention Center. Arraignment is scheduled for all three at 9:15 a.m. Wednesday before Judge S. Rob Barker, according to online court records.
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