Steele mayor arrested on meth charge

Daily Dunklin Democrat

STEELE, Mo. -- Steele mayor Keith L. Samford was arrested Tuesday and charged with delivery of a controlled substance, approximately two grams of methamphetamine, simultaneous possession of a firearm and drugs, over-possession of pseudoephedrine, and possession of a controlled substance, the prescription drug Xanax.

Authorities from Arkansas and Missouri were involved in the investigation, Mississippi County, Ark., Sheriff Leroy Meadows said.

The authorities learned that Samford was en route to the Blytheville Hampton Inn with an unknown amount of methamphetamine to exchange for approximately 80 valium pills.

Using a covert audio and video device, the officers recorded the transaction as well as Samford pouring a white crystal substance onto a tray.

They then observed Samford leave the room and walk toward the motel's vending area.

In the vending area, officers confronted Samford and placed him under arrest. Afterwards, the officers found a small plastic baggy containing a white crystal substance believed to be methamphetamine.

Samford is being held in the Mississippi County jail.