The United States Attorney's Office announced March 1 that John Atkinson, 31, Salem, pleaded guilty Feb. 26 to a federal firearms charge.
Atkinson pleaded guilty to one felony count of being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Due to his previous felony convictions, law to own or possess firearms forbids him. He appeared before United States District Judge Carol E. Jackson, who set sentencing for May 25.
This charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000.
The Dent County Sheriff's Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Bert is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney' Office.
•Two Salem residents, including one who had been arrested earlier this month for felony possession of morphine, face felony charges of manufacturing methamphetamine and endangerment of a child, according to court records.
A homemade generator was used in the manufacturing process, according to a probable cause statement filed with the court by Corporal Kyle Wilmont of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Six felony charges were filed Feb. 12 in Dent County Circuit Court Associate Division against Betsy A. Graves, 40, and Daniel R. Hartsfield, 41. The charges stem from manufacturing methamphetamine in a residence occupied by Graves' 14-year-old daughter, according to court records.
Hartsfield had been arrested Feb. 2 for felony possession of morphine, according to the highway patrol's online arrest reports.
Charges, filed by Susan Bell, Assistant Dent County Prosecuting Attorney, are:
• manufacturing methamphetamine in a residence with a child;
• possession of chemicals reagents or solvents with intent to manufacture methamphetamine.
• unlawful use of a drug paraphernalia;
• two counts of possession of methamphetamine;
• engandering the welfare of a child.
Dent County Sheriff Rick Stallings said that Graves and Hartsfield both posted a $25,000 bond Feb. 12 and were released from custody.
The charges stem from an incident 12:18 p.m. Feb. 11 at the residence of Hartsfield and Graves in Salem and investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Dent County Sheriff's Office. Hartsfield is on felony probation for possession of a controlled substance, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol probable cause statement.
Graves and Hartsfield gave officers a verbal consent to search the residence.
Located in the residence were a homemade generator, numerous items of drug paraphernalia such as pipes, syringes, spoons and plastic tubes with residue, a pipe that was field tested for methamphetamine along with a small baggie of powder substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine, a small rock of cocaine along with chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine, including red phosphorus, solvents, muriatic acid, lithium, batteries and cold packs and plastic tubing.
HIGHWAY PATROL ACCIDENT REPORT
•A Salem man suffered moderate injuries in a motorcycle crash March 6 west of St. James.
T.J. Myers, 28, Salem, was taken by St. James ambulance to the Phelps County Regional Medical Center.
The crash occurred as Myers was driving a 2002 Suzuki motorcycle and following a 2003 Suzuki motorcycle driven by Jessie A. Carroll, Brinktown. Myers attempted to pass Carroll on the right, while Carroll was merging into the right lane and the motorcycles collided.
Carroll's motorcycle sustained minor damage. Both motorcycles were driven from the scene.
Both drivers were wearing a safety helmet.
The crash occurred at 5:34 p.m. on I-44, one mile west of St. James.
HIGHWAY PATROL INCIDENT REPORT
•An Anutt man was arrested for driving while intoxicated, (first offense), failing to stop at a stop sign and no seat belt, according to Missouri State Highway Patrol arrest reports. Jason Arthur, 31, was arrested 1:37 a.m. March 7 in Phelps County, according to the patrol report. He was first placed in the Phelps County jail then released.
POLICE ACCIDENT REPORT
Salem police reported seven traffic crashes within the city limits since last week's report.
No injuries were reported.
•At 4:24 p.m. March 6 on the Walmart parking lot a parked and unoccupied 2002 Toyota owned by Judith A. Thompson, Salem, was struck by a hit-and-run vehicle.
Thompson's vehicle sustained minor damage.
•At 10:30 a.m. March 5 at Hwy. 19 and the city's waste water treatment plant parking lot a 1997 Chevrolet driven by Donald Moore, Salem, was backing northbound and then turned westbound in an attempt to turn the vehicle around and struck the rear of a parked and unoccupied 2007 Mitsubishi owned by Billy W. Lunn II.
Lunn's vehicle sustained minor damage.
•At 7:50 a.m. March 4 at Hunt and Water streets a 1999 Pontiac driven by Amanda Richardson, Salem, started across Water Street and made contact with a 2000 Pontiac driven by Amy Emory, Salem, that was making a left turn onto Water Street.
Richardson's vehicle sustained minor damage and Emory's vehicle sustained moderate damage.
•At 1 p.m. March 2 at Hwy. 32 and Askins a parked and unoccupied 1971 GMC owned by Matthew T. Gollhofer, Salem, jumped out of gear and rolled into a parked and unoccupied 2006 Jeep owned Everett M. Barton, Bunker.
Gollhofer's vehicle sustained minor damage.
Barton's vehicle sustained moderate damage.
•At 4 p.m. March 2 at Franklin and Askins streets a 2004 Chrysler driven northbound by Christie Stotler, Salem, made contact with a 2002 Chevrolet driven eastbound by Janet Kratz, Salem, when the Chrysler's brakes failed upon entering Franklin.
Both vehicles sustained moderate damage.
•At 1:27 a.m. Feb. 27 A 2004 GMC Yukon driven by Sean S. Cartwright, Rolla, was passing a parked and unoccupied Chevrolet Express owned by Ean Holdings, Mansfield, Ohio, and the back door of the Chevrolet opened and made contact with the right rear fender of Cartwright's vehicle.
Both vehicles sustained minor damage.
•At 11:50 a.m. Feb. 25 at Hwy. 32 and Washington Street a 2002 Dodge driven by Kelly E. Estep, Salem, and a 1999 Ford driven by Timothy Good, Rolla, both were traveling westbound on Hwy. 32 and Estep attempted to change lanes and make a right turn onto Washington, and Estep's vehicle made contact with Good's vehicle.
Both vehicles sustained minor damage.
POLICE INCIDENT REPORT
The Salem Police Department is investigating a break-in, five thefts and a property damage incident, according to reports received Feb. 26.
According to the reports:
• Person(s) unknown removed a white cast iron bathtub with claw feet from a residence in the 800 block of East First Street sometime between 5 p.m. Feb. 26 and 6:30 p.m. Feb. 28. The theft was reported 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28. The tub is valued at $250.
• A small portable safe was taken from a residence in the 300 block of East Center Street in an incident reported 7 a.m. Feb. 28.
• At 6:30 p.m. Feb. 28, a 39-year-old Holts Summit man was arrested in the 1000 block of E. Mondy Street on a felony probation and parole warrant. He was incarcerated on the warrant.
• A 23-year-old Salem woman was arrested for stealing $14 worth of merchandise in a shoplifting incident 5:40 p.m. Feb. 26 at Wal-Mart. She was issued a summons to appear in court and released.
• Several items were taken from two unsecured vehicles in the truck parking lot on Babb Lane in an incident reported 2:30 p.m. Feb. 25. The thefts occurred sometime between 6:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Feb. 24. Person(s) unknown entered two unsecured vehicles and removed an in dash radio and CDs valued at $300. From the second vehicle a TomTom GPS valued at $120 was taken.
• Person(s) unknown broke a window at a residence in the 1200 block of South Louise Street in an incident that was reported 7:58 p.m. Feb. 25. The value of the damage is approximately $150.
• An officer transported a 23-year-old Salem male to the Phelps County Regional Medical Center in lieu of a commitment order 2:52 p.m. Feb. 24.
• A Salem female rented an X-Box Arcade console, valued at $760, from Best Rent to Own and failed to return it in an incident reported 5:24 p.m. Feb. 24.
• Person(s) unknown took a roll around tool chest bottom, valued at $500, from a blue 1995 Chevrolet Suburban at the Country Mart parking lot in an incident reported 6:25 p.m. Feb. 24.
• Person(s) unknown forced open a storage unit and took copper wire and lead, valued at $300, from Classic Joy Ride Storage Unit in a report received 3:30 p.m. Feb. 23.
• An officer transported a 48-year-old Licking female to Ozarks Medical Center in West Plains in lieu of a mental commitment order 7 p.m. Feb. 23.
• A 17-year-old Springfield male was arrested for assaulting a 47-year-old Salem male 7:10 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Salem Treatment Center. He was issued a summons to appear in court and released.
SHERIFF'S INCIDENT REPORT
A Salem man was arrested Feb. 22 and issued a court summons for possession of marijuana, according to a report from Dent County Sheriff Rick Stallings.
According to the report, Richard Joshua Wilber was arrested for possession of under 35 grams of marijuana at his residence in Salem.
Wilber was released after the summons was given to him.
FIRE CALLS
• Seven firefighters responded to a house fire at 8:46 a.m. Jan. 20 at a home on County Road 3190. The fire was extinguished by firefighters. The fire was thought to have started in the attic and caused minor damage.
• Firefighters responded to two separate calls to the same residence. The first call was at 2:35 p.m. Jan. 19 and again at 1:29 a.m. Jan. 20 to an electrical fire at a residence on Hwy. 68 North. The fire was extinguished by firefighters. Eight firefighters responded to the Jan. 19 call and four assisted on the Wednesday call.
• Nine firefighters responded to a medical assistance call to assist EMTs at 11:46 p.m. Jan. 18 on South Main Street.
Eight firefighters assisted on a flue fire call at 6:39 p.m. Jan. 18 to a home on County Road 5090. The fire was contained to the chimney or flue and was extinguished by firefighters.
• Six firefighters responded to a motor vehicle crash at 12:34 p.m. Jan. 18 on Iron Mountain Road. Upon arrival the vehicle was rolled over on top and the occupants were out and no injuries.
• Seven firefighters responded to a house fire at 10:15 a.m. Jan. 18 on County Road 3210. Firefighter vented and extinguished fire. Property owner said he hit a guidewire with his tractor. A utility pole had been broken at the base and removed neutral wire from the house. Intercounty Electric was contacted.
• Six firefighters responded to a medical assistance call at 10:31 p.m. Jan. 17 at a home on Hwy. 72 to assist EMS crew.
• Six firefighters responded to a medical assistance call at 1:13 a.m. to a home on North Iron Street to assist EMS.
• Five firefighters responded to a call at 11:19 a.m. Jan. 16 for assistance at a home on County Road 2245. The call was cancelled while personnel were in route.
• Six firefighters responded to a call at 6:33 p.m. Jan. 14 to assist with extrication of a victim from a vehicle on Hwy. W and 32.
• Seven firefighters responded to an electrical wiring/equipment problem at 6:05 p.m. Jan. 14 at a residence on County Road 2390. Investigation revealed a TV cable running to the residence was burned and had caused some damage to the underpinning of the home and caused a small grass fire. Property owners were advised to contact Fidelity Communications.
• Four firefighters responded to a medical assistance call at 11 a.m. Jan. 14 at a home on County Road 4060 to assist EMS crew with an elderly person who had fallen.
• Five firefighters responded to a medical assistance call at 10:55 a.m. Jan. 13 at a residence on South Holman Street to assist EMS crew in carrying a patient to the ambulance.
