Hayti mayor arrested on theft charges

HAYTI, Mo. -- Hayti Mayor Bobby Watkins, 39, was arrested Tuesday after the Pemiscot County prosecutor's office filed a warrant for another charge for the mayor for conspiracy of theft/stealing of property or services over $500, according to a news release from Pemiscot County Sheriff Tommy Greenwell.

The arrest comes after an ongoing investigation by the Pemiscot County Sheriff's Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control that lead to the November arrest of several Pemiscot County Road and Bridge employees, local businessmen and the mayor.

During the investigation, it was discovered that employees with the men were being paid with county funds by the Pemiscot County Commission after false invoices were submitted and approved by the commission. During this time, Watkins was charged with one count of forgery and one count of felony stealing and had a bond set of $50,000.

His most recent arrest was on additional theft charges and Watkins was taken to the Pemiscot County Justice Center with a $10,000 bond.

Watkins appeared Thursday before Judge Byron Luber with attorney Jim Bruce after posting the bond. The judge set the preliminary hearing for 10 a.m. April 30.

Watkins will appear before Judge Fred Copeland on April 3 on the first charges of forgery and theft.

Pertinent address:

Hayti, MO