Stolen property, drug paraphernalia discovered in Benton home

BENTON, Mo. -- A search for stolen property also uncovered drug paraphernalia at the home of a Benton-area couple.

Kenneth D. Blankenship, 50, and Bobbie Wipfler, 36, each are charged with felony possession of a controlled substance and receiving stolen property and misdemeanor unlawful use of drug paraphernalia. Blankenship also is charged with felony unlawful possession of a firearm.

At 10:46 p.m. Sunday, the Scott County Sheriff's Office Emergency Response Team and other Scott County deputies served a search warrant at Blankenship and Wipfler's residence, entering two trailers on the property.

Deputies recovered stolen property, including a Sharp 60-inch television from a storage shed burglary in Dexter, Missouri, Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter reported in a news release.

Also discovered during the search were items considered to be drug paraphernalia, including a digital scale, aluminum foil and a straw -- all with residue and a hypodermic needle. A field test of the residue indicated positive for methamphetamine, the sheriff said.

Officers also found a .22 caliber revolver with Blankenship's identification next to it.

Pertinent address:

Benton, Mo.