Bernie Police arrest man for allegedly selling drugs in school zone

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A Bernie, Missouri, man has been charged with selling drugs within 1,000 feet of a school.

Bernie Police Chief Justin Allen said on July 30, his department received word Larry H. Ryans, 31, was selling prescription drugs from his home at 207 Mann St., which is 736 feet from Bernie Elementary School.

A police informant bought two Xanax tablets from Ryan for $2 each. Present during the sale was Ryans' 2-year-old child, Allen reported.

Ryans was arrested last week and charged with felony distribution of a controlled substance near a school.

During an interview that followed his arrest, Ryans reportedly initially denied any wrongdoing. He later admitted he had sold his prescription medications to about six people and that he could not recall their names.

Ryans also was charged Aug. 6 with DWI as a prior offender, operating an ATV with a passenger when the vehicle's seat was not designed for such, and for endangering the welfare of a child.