Scott County drug busts net five arrests

BENTON, Mo. -- Two drug busts in the same area in rural Scott County netted five arrests this week.

Thomas W. McRoy, 20, of Miner, was arrested around noon Monday when Scott County sheriff's officers were checking on suspected drug transaction areas, a sheriff's department news release stated.

While on County Road 450 north of Sikeston, Mo., deputies and Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force agents spotted a Jeep that matched the description of a suspicious vehicle called in by an area resident.

Following a brief conversation with the officers, McRoy, the driver of the Jeep, fled from the scene on foot, the release stated.

One officer attempted to fire a Taser at the suspect, but missed, chief deputy Tom Beardslee said. The suspect was eventually taken down by officers and handcuffed. No one was injured.

Officers recovered 13.2 grams of methamphetamine, which were packaged into individual baggies for distribution, Beardslee said.

McRoy was charged with felony possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and resisting arrest. His bond was set at $150,000.

Tuesday afternoon, officers went back to the same area and arrested four men they said were smoking marijuana in a pickup truck.

Arrested were: Larry E. Appleton, 43, of Morehouse, Mo.; David G. Vires, 38, of Sikeston, Mo.; Keith S. Lynch, 30, of Morehouse; and Jason R. Burton, 27, of Sikeston.

All were charged with felony possession of a cocaine, misdemeanor possession of marijuana and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.

Bonds were set at $15,000 each.

Where the arrests occurred was not historically a place drugs and narcotic use was found, but Beardslee said officers would pay more attention to the area in the future.

"We're going to continue to watch it," he said.

kmorrison@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127