Cape man faces tampering, harassment charges

When a Cape Girardeau couple said they observed Gregory E. Withers, a man they hired to build a jungle gym for their child, drinking on the job and using profanity, they fired him, according to Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle.

While the couple were out of the state, Withers returned, according to a probable-cause statement written by Deputy H. VenGennip of the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department.

Withers and his wife allegedly were spotted by neighbors "messing" with the window screens of the residence and two nearby wheelbarrows, the statement said.

The homeowners' 2004 maroon Hummer sat in the driveway, and Withers started kicking the side of the vehicle before kneeling down and doing something to the tire, the neighbors told police.

When police inspected the property, they noticed several window screens were cut, the windows were scratched and broken, and the wheelbarrows, Hummer and lawn equipment suffered slashed tires and scratches to the paint.

The damage was estimated at more than $8,000, the statement said.

Withers was fired April 17, and the following day allegedly made 20 to 25 calls to the couples' cell phone, saying "You don't know who I am or who you're messing with," the statement said.

During one of the conversations, the couple told police Withers laughed and admitted that he'd gone to the residence to settle the score.

Police found Withers and his wife at Gordonville Bar and Grill, where they noticed he appeared intoxicated and allegedly staggered when walked, slurred his speech and smelled of liquor.

His wife was caught by police allegedly trying to conceal a 10-inch knife, the statement said.

Withers was arrested and transferred to the Cape Girardeau County Jail on charges of first-degree tampering, property damage, harassment and trespassing.

While at the sheriff's department, Withers allegedly caused more trouble when he threatened Sheriff John Jordan and chief deputy David James.

He was allegedly also caught with a lit cigarette while in a holding cell. When asked to put it out, he allegedly took another puff. A search of his person revealed he'd stashed a package of Sonoma Light's 100's cigarettes in the crotch area of his underwear, according to a probable-cause statement signed by Swingle.

A short while later, Withers allegedly flashed his genitalia toward the security camera, startling a female dispatcher. He also refused to allow fingerprinting or formal booking, the statement said.

Swingle filed charges of sexual misconduct and concealment of a prohibited item against Withers.

Swingle described the series of incidents as a movie starring Robert DeNiro as Withers and Adam Sandler as the man who tried to hire him for the construction job.

"It's certainly been a nightmare for the people who only wanted to build a jungle gym for their child," he said.

bdicosmo@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 245

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