POPLAR BLUFF MAN FACES DRUG COUNTS

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A Poplar Bluff man is free on bond after being arrested last week on a warrant for distributing methamphetamine and marijuana.

Members of the SEMO Drug Task Force, Poplar Bluff Police Department and Butler County Sheriff's Department arrested Dallas Wayne Burden, 27, Friday.

Burden is charged with the Class B felony of distribution of methamphetamine and a Class C felony of distributing marijuana.

He may face more charges after officers allegedly found marijuana and a set of scales in his residence during his arrest.

Poplar Bluff Police Chief Danny Whiteley said officers may also seek a charge of endangering the welfare of a child because there were small children living in Burden's house.

Whiteley said of the investigation that "a lot of times there will be cases made utilizing covert operations. The cases will be made four to five months ago, but it won't be brought to the forefront until the investigation is complete."

Whiteley described the area where Burden lives as being a "highly visible trouble spot" and that officers have worked on the case the past six months and "the culmination of all the investigations are starting to show dividends."