Scott Co. sheriff: Two men, woman arrested for selling meds of deceased

BENTON, Mo. -- A Benton father and son, along with a Sikeston woman, were arrested by Scott County authorities Friday for allegedly stealing prescription medication and selling the controlled substances to an undercover officer, according to a news release issued Monday by the Scott County Sheriff's Department.

Matthew Clark Sr., 43, and Matthew Clark Jr., 19, are charged respectively with two counts of distributing a controlled substance, three counts of possession of a controlled substance, child endangerment and receiving stolen property.

Deborah M. Vinson, 42, is charged with felony stealing, three counts of possession of a controlled substance and two counts of distributing a controlled substance.

Matthew Clark Sr.

According to Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter, a confidential informant told deputies they met Matthew Clark Jr. on Facebook two weeks ago. Matthew Clark Jr. allegedly told the source his father had bought a box of around 30 bottles of medication prescribed to different patients. Matthew Clark Sr. allegedly gave the pills to his son to sell after he acquired them from a hospice nurse he was dating.

In the news release, Walter wrote that the nurse, allegedly Vinson, would give Matthew Clark Sr. the unused medication of patients when they died.

The undercover deputy purchased hydrocodone tablets and liquid morphine from Matthew Clark Jr., which led to the 19-year-old's arrest.

Matthew Clark Sr.

After his arrest, officers seized medication belonging to several of Vinson's deceased patients. Walter said Vinson told officers she removed the medication from her patient's homes for proper disposal.

Vinson, Matthew Clark Sr. and Matthew Clark Jr. are each out of jail on a $25,000 bond.