Sikeston police make arrests in large Tuesday sweep

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Following the night of a lunar eclipse, law enforcement officers scheduled one of their own, with "Operation Total Eclipse."

The warrant roundup led to 18 arrests, and targeted five people who were already in custody, said Sgt. Jim McMillen, public information officer for the Sikeston Department of Public Safety. Around 40 people total were on the list for sealed indictments through Scott County for a variety of charges, but not all have been arrested.

"This roundup began at 6 a.m., with the bulk of the arrests having been made by 9 a.m.," said McMillen.

Assisting DPS in the roundup were officers with the Scott and New Madrid County sheriff's departments, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, SEMO Drug Task Force and the National Guard Raid Unit, which hovered above the homes in helicopters.

The Raid Unit is on hand to assist in the case of any foot or vehicle pursuits, said DPS officials.

Scott County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Boyd noted a lot of work went into the roundup, as well as the indictments. "I have big accolades for the law enforcement officers for the investigations that led up to the work that was presented to the grand jury," he said.

Those arrested, their charges and bond amounts are as follows:

* Dara Ritch, 26, of Portageville, on charges of forgery/fraud and attempting to obtain a controlled substance, $25,000;

* Jimmie Johnson Jr., 20, of Sikeston, second degree burglary, $25,000;

* Pamela McMillen, 48, of Sikeston, possession of a controlled substance, $25,000;

* Marcus Smith, 39, of Sikeston, distribution of drug paraphernalia, $5,000;

* Judy Jackson, 56, of Sikeston, distribution of a controlled substance, $50,000;

* Michael Williams, 39, of Dexter, two counts of first-degree statutory rape and three counts of first-degree sodomy, $50,000;

* Christopher Beck, 18, of Sikeston; possession of a controlled substance, $25,000;

* Timothy Smith, 38, of Pomona, three counts of second-degree statutory rape and three counts of second-degree robbery, $50,000;

* John Rodgers, 47, of Sikeston, distribution of a controlled substance, $50,000;

* Elmer Underwood, 47, of Sikeston, distribution, unlawful use of a weapon and receiving stolen property, $50,000;

* Sheila Gillespie, 22, of Sikeston, distribution of a controlled substance, $50,000 cash only;

* Rudy Lasser, 53, of Oran, distribution of a controlled substance, $25,000;

* Shawn Hubbert, 31, of Sikeston, distribution of a controlled substance, $25,000;

* James Bonner, 21, of Sikeston, 10 counts of statutory rape and 10 counts of statutory sodomy, $25,000 cash only;

* Beverly Draper, 48, of Sikeston, distribution near public housing, $100,000;

* Theresa McAfee, 49, of Sikeston, possession of a controlled substance, $15,000 cash only;

* John Lamar Turner, 20, of Sikeston, second-degree assault on a law enforcement officer, $2,500;

* Charles Kulin, 34, of Sikeston, child support and probation violation, $1,000.

Some individuals on the list were already in custody at the time of the roundup. Held in the Department of Corrections and the charges and bonds from Tuesday's roundup are: Johnny Jones, 26, first-degree statutory sodomy, $50,000; William Scott Jr., 40, distribution of a controlled substance, $50,000; Gary Corder Jr., 26, possession of a controlled substance, $100,000; and Florence Carmona, 47, possession of a controlled substance, $10,000 cash only. Malcolm Tuner, 19, is in custody at the Dyersburg County Sheriff's Department, and is charged with distribution of a controlled substance and issued a $150,000 bond.

McMillen noted that the Department continues to search for subjects who have been indicted. The names of those individuals are not being released at this time.

He also reminded that DPS encourages anyone with information about wanted persons, drug crimes, or any other crimes to call 471-6200 or 471-1500. All communications are confidential.