Dexter restaurateur busted on meth charge

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A Dexter, Missouri, restaurant owner is scheduled to appear in court today after being charged with possessing methamphetamine.

After an investigation by the SEMO Drug Task Force and the Stoddard County Sheriff's Office, Robert Lay, 45, owner of The Grill off Business Highway 60 on the western edge of Dexter, was arrested at the restaurant on Friday. He posted bond Monday.

Deputy Keith Haynes, who also works on the Task Force, served Lay with an arrest warrant at the business, according to a probable-cause affidavit. Lay complied with emptying his pockets, and among the items in his possession was a "short red snort straw."

At that point, Lay was advised of his rights, and he gave Haynes permission to search the restaurant's office area.

In a desk drawer, Haynes found a plastic baggie containing a solid rock of what appeared to be crystal methamphetamine.

Lay subsequently was charged with meth possession and was transported to the Stoddard County Jail, where his bond was set at $20,000 cash only.

That bond was later amended to 10 percent cash or surety.

Lay is scheduled to appear before Judge Joe Z. Satterfield at 9 a.m. today.