Scott County man charged with forgery for concealing urine in jail

BENTON, Mo. -- A 48-year-old Benton man with prior convictions in Scott County is accused of keeping firearms in his home where children were present and concealing his own urine after being booked into jail.

Deputies began investigating Gary Taylor after they received reports that he was using illegal drugs, according to a news release from the Scott County Sheriff's Department. He was arrested Tuesday after deputies found four firearms, plus ammunition in his home.

Taylor has been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, a felony, and concealment of prohibited articles on county jail premises, a misdemeanor. He's also charged with felony forgery for hiding a bottle of urine wrapped in a heating pack under his clothing.

Taylor, who denied the accusations of drug use, was attempting to provide a false urine sample after offering to prove his innocence, according to the news release.

According to Sheriff Rick Walter, who spoke with Scott County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Boyd, Missouri law says anyone providing a false urine sample to law enforcement to conceal illegal drug use can be charged with forgery.

"I believe being able to charge someone with a felony of providing a false urine sample will be a great tool," Walter said in a news release.

Taylor's bond is set at $15,000.