Mayor, government officials arrested in Southeast Missouri county

CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. -- Hayti Mayor Bobby Watkins and former Pemiscot County Road and Bridge Supervisor Martin Culver are among seven people arrested in connection with 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.

According to Pemiscot County Sheriff Tommy Greenwell, these arrests stem from a three-month investigation.

During the course of this investigation, it was reportedly discovered that employees with the Pemiscot County Road and Bridge Department and local businessmen were being paid with county funds by the Pemiscot County Commission after false invoices were submitted and approved by the commission for approximately the last three months.

Watkins, 39, of Hayti has been charged with one count of forgery and one count of felony stealing with a bond of $50,000. He has retained attorney Jim Bruce. A preliminary hearing has been set for Jan. 5.

Culver, 39, of Hayti, recently resigned from the county government and has now been charged with 20 counts of forgery and one count of felony stealing over $25,000. His bond was set at $100,000 has retained attorney Shawn Young. Culver was also on the Hayti Board of Aldermen and Hayti Fire Department before resigning recently. A preliminary hearing date has been set for Dec. 1.

Bobby Watkins

Tracy Floyd, 40, of Caruthersville, Mo., has been charged with 14 counts of forgery and one count of felony stealing. Bond was set at $100,000 and counsel has been retained with attorney Daniel Cornacchione. A preliminary hearing date has been set for Jan. 5.

Randle Ridings, 62, of Senath, Mo., has been charged with five counts of forgery and one count of felony stealing. Bond was set at $50,000. A preliminary hearing date has been set for Dec. 8.

Chris Hogan, 45, of Bragg City, Mo., has been charged with five counts of forgery and one count of felony stealing with a bond of $50,000. A preliminary hearing date has been set for Jan. 5.

Rickie Harden, 63, of Caruthersville, has been charged with three counts of forgery and one count of felony stealing. His bond has been set at $50,000. A preliminary hearing has been set for Jan. 5.

Clois Reed, 57, of Kennett, Mo., has been charged with one count of stealing and seven counts of forgery. His bond has been set at $50,000. His preliminary hearing date is Jan. 12.

All seven men appeared Monday morning before Judge Byron Luber after turning themselves in.

Greenwell said that investigators found several fictitious documents created between 2009 and 2011 that were paid by the Pemiscot County Commission once they had been approved.

Several other people of interest have been questioned during the course of the investigation, which Greenwell says is ongoing.

Pertinent address:

Hayti, MO

Caruthersville, MO