Two arrested on drug charges in Puxico

PUXICO, Mo. -- An investigation into alleged wildlife violations landed a rural Puxico couple in jail and facing arraignment after recently being charged with drug-related violations, the Daily American Republic reported. Darrell Lee Buttry, 51, and his 33-year-old wife, Laura M. Buttry, are to appear Thursday before Associate Circuit Judge Joe Satterfield for arraignment after assistant prosecuting attorney Andrew Rehmer filed charges against them Aug. 24. Darrell Buttry, who is being held in the Stoddard County Jail on a $25,000 cash bond, is charged with producing a controlled substance and two counts of possession of hydrocodone and Xanax. Buttry's wife is charged with possession of marijuana. She is also being held at the Stoddard County Jail. Her bond is set at $10,000 cash.

The charges against the Buttrys stem from an investigation by the Stoddard County Sheriff's Department and Missouri Department of Conservation.

At about 8:10 p.m. Aug. 23, Stoddard County deputies and a conservation agent, reportedly went to the Buttrys' residence in the 8000 block of Route PP.

"While Conservation Agent Mark Reed was conducting an investigation on wildlife violations, we received consent to search the residence," Cpl. Travis Stafford said in a probable-cause affidavit. "While walking through the residence, I located a wooden box lying open on the utility room floor.

"I observed, in plain view, several clear, plastic bags with a green leafy substance inside them."

Based on his training and experience, Stafford said, he believed the substance to be marijuana.

Stafford reported also finding a small plastic bag in the box, which contained a pill, later identified as hydrocodone through a "pill identifier resource."

Stafford said asked Darrell Buttry if there was any other contraband in the home.

"Darrell stated: ‘No, that's it; that's all I have. You can look anywhere you want; I'll show anywhere you want to look,'" Stafford said.

Darrell Buttry, Stafford said, was told of his rights and again asked if there were any other drugs at his home.

"Darrell again stated: ‘No, that's all I have. I'll show you anywhere you want to look; you can look anywhere you want. I don't sell it, I just smoke it,'" Stafford said.

A short time later, Stafford said, he found several suspected marijuana plants growing in the backyard.

The grass, according to Stafford, was very tall in the backyard, but had been cut down around the suspected marijuana plants.

Stafford said he again asked Darrell Buttry if there was any more marijuana on his property.

"He stated: ‘No, I was just growing some for my own use; I don't sell any of it, I promise,'" Stafford said.

While walking around outside, Stafford said, he found what he described as a small silver container, which was made for a key chain, near the front door.

Darrell Buttry, Stafford said, identified the container as belonging to him.

Stafford said he found a small blue pill inside the container.

When Darrell Buttry was asked what the pill was, he reportedly identified it as Xanax.

"I asked him if he had a prescription for it or if he bought it from someone," said Stafford, who was told it had been "bought."

As Darrell Buttry was being arrested, Stafford said, the man indicated "everything is mine; my wife did not have anything to do with any of this."

Laura Buttry subsequently arrived at the residence and was arrested.

Officials with the Missouri Children's Division and Stoddard County Juvenile Office arrived and removed the five children who were living at the residence, Stafford said.

"Both Darrell and his wife, Laura, failed the drug test given to them on the scene" by Children's Division officials, Stafford said.