Sullivan police executed a search warrant at 10 Karen Ann Circle Friday, May 1, shortly before 7 a.m. It’s is believed that three people were taken into custody. Further information will be released later by Sullivan Police. It is believed the search wArrant was served following a narcotics investigation

Franklin County authorities said a man drowned in a pond after appearing to struggle staying afloat Sunday

Gary Gottschall, 20, Leslie, was pulled from the pond in the 1000 block of Flint Hill Road around 3:10 p.m. The Missouri State Highway Patrol Water Patrol Division and Franklin County Sheriff’s deputies received a call around 2:12 p.m. that Gottschall told a female friend he was going to jump in the pond and act like he was drowning.

Gottschall reportedly swam about 50 feet, then struggled to float. He went down and did not resurface. Fire rescue personnel located Gottschall’s body in about eight feet of water.

Over the past few weeks Franklin County deputies along with investigators from Gasconade County and Washington Police have been investigating a series of burglaries along Hwy 100.  The burglaries occurred from the Villa Ridge area in to Gasconade County.  Franklin County Deputies were able to determine that some of the stolen property from these burglaries were sold at a jewelry gold and pawn shop in the St. Louis area.  Two suspects, ages in their 20s and 30s were developed in the burglary cases. They have indicated that they sold the property in order to purchase heroin.  Charges are expected in the near future.

Last night, Franklin County deputies were contacted by a resident of Franklin County who stated that he believed that he had located his stolen log splitter in a building off Crabapple Lane outside of St. Clair.  Deputies responded to the area and determined that the log splitter did in fact belong to the resident.  Also in the building were numerous weed eaters, lawnmowers, and other equipment.  Some of which was also stolen.  Deputies removed a pickup and trailer load of equipment from the building that is believed to have been stolen.

These cases are still active and further investigation is being conducted.  Deputies are currently trying to determine if any of the property found in the building may have been stolen from any of the burglaries along Hwy 100.  Deputies are checking reports to determine the owners of the property that has been recovered.  If any property is not claimed, that property will be made available for viewing in an attempt to locate the owners at a date to be announced in the media and on the Sheriff’s Office Facebook page after the investigation is complete.  During this viewing, anyone wishing to claim property will need a copy of their police report to verify the item belongs to them or other documentation to prove ownership.

Lt. Steve Pelton at the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office will be the contact for further information as the investigation progresses.

On May 5th, detectives with the MCNVCEU, which is the Franklin County Narcotics Task Force, a member of the mid-west HIDTA, working with the Sullivan Police Dept., brought a nine month investigation to a culmination with the largest seizure of narcotics in Franklin County history. Investigators working with federal counterparts from the ATF, DHS, and DEA were able to identify a target distributing large quantities of narcotics in the Franklin, Crawford, Washington and Gasconade County areas in Missouri. The suspect was stopped in Sullivan on Wednesday by detectives as a part of the investigation. The units K-9 alerted on the suspect’s vehicle leading to a search. The suspect was found to be in possession of roughly 5 ounces of Mexican crystal methamphetamine, $180,000 in cash, two firearms, one of which was equipped with a 50 round drum magazine, and assorted drug paraphernalia. The suspect was armed with a handgun, on his person, at the time of his arrest.
Continuing investigation on the same day lead to the additional seizure of narcotics at a location in Sullivan, MO. Seized from a business associated with the suspect was the following: approximately 7 lbs of “Ice” crystal methamphetamine,
one half pound of raw Heroin, one pound of Hi-Grade marijuana, 2 ounces of synthetic drugs, and numerous assorted prescription pills. Investigators also seized two vehicles which were used to transport the narcotics for distribution.
Investigators continue to work with the Drug Enforcement Administration to bring federal charges against the suspect. This case is very important to the region as all of the narcotics seized were intended to be distributed and sold locally. The seizure of the Heroin may have saved several lives. The cooperation between local agencies as well as our federal partners and the Lake Area Narcotics Enforcement Group, made this case successful. The MCNVCEU will continue to work hard investigating those who distribute this poison in our communities. Any further questions may be directed to Lt. Jason J. Grellner regarding this case.

Narcotics investigators said the arrest of a Crawford County man Tuesday has shut down a major narcotics distribution operation that targeted Franklin and several adjoining counties.
With the arrest of the suspect, Steven Maserang, 29, Leasburg, investigators also made the largest seizure of narcotics in Franklin County history, according to Lt. Jason Grellner, chief of the county’s detective bureau.
The arrest was the height of a nine-month-long investigation by local and federal investigators.
Maserang is charged with one count of felony drug trafficking and is being held in the county jail on a $50,000 bond. Grellner said he expects federal charges to be filed soon in the case. Maserang was arrested Tuesday in Sullivan by detectives with the  Franklin County Narcotics Task Force working with Sullivan police.

During the arrest, authorities seized about 5 ounces of Mexican crystal methamphetamine, $180,000 in cash, two firearms including one equipped with a 50-round drum magazine. Maserang also was armed with a handgun when he was arrested.
That investigation led to additional drugs being seized at a location in Sullivan. Also seized at a business associated with the suspect was about 7 pounds of crystal meth, one-half pound of raw heroin, one pound of high grade marijuana, 2 ounces of synthetic drugs and numerous prescription pills.

Investigators continue to work with the Drug Enforcement Administration to bring federal charges against the suspect. This case is very important to the region as all of the narcotics seized were intended to be distributed and sold locally. The seizure of the Heroin may have saved several lives. The cooperation between local agencies as well as our federal partners and the Lake Area Narcotics Enforcement Group, made this case successful. The MCNVCEU will continue to work hard investigating those who distribute this poison in our communities. Any further questions may be directed to Lt. Jason J. Grellner regarding this case

On May 6, a Franklin County Deputy had stopped at a fast food business in Washington to get something to eat.  He was approached by a male subject who asked him to “give him a ride west.”  The deputy advised that he couldn’t because of liability issues unless it was business related.

Approximately 45 minutes later the deputy heard a dispatch that someone had just stolen a car from Fairway Auto Sales on Hwy 47 between Union and Washington.  The deputy was driving on Hwy 50 west of Union when he met the stolen vehicle.  He turned around and made a traffic stop near the intersection of Hwy 50 and Hwy EE.  The driver of the vehicle was the same individual that had approached him for the ride in Washington.

The subject stated that he saw the owners of the business washing cars as he walked up on the lot.  He saw a vehicle with the keys in it so he thought it would be okay to take it for a test drive and drove it off the lot.  He admitted that he did not have permission.

The subject was taken in to custody for investigation of auto theft.  He is a white male, age 35 from Washington.

On May 18 at approximately 4:35 PM, the City Marshal of Miramiguoa Village, Kevin Dziejma, signed out on a traffic stop.  Miramiquoa Village is located off of Hwy 185 near the Meramec State Park at Sullivan, Mo.  During the stop Marshal Dziejma called Franklin County Sheriff’s Communications to give information related to the traffic stop.  When communications advised him to go ahead with his information there was no response.   A second call also resulted in no response.

A Franklin County deputy was in the area and responded along with two other deputies nearby.  They could also not reach Marshal Dziejma.

While deputies were in route, Sheriff’s Communications called stating that they had received information that Marshal Dziejma was having trouble breathing.  Apparently, the subjects who had been stopped noticed he was having difficulty and flagged down a resident to get help.  An ambulance was dispatched from Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan.

Upon arrival, deputies began CPR until arrival of the ambulance.  Marshal Dziejama was transported to Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan where he later passed away.  Marshal Dziejama was 64 years old and from Sullivan.  He had served as the Marshal of Miramiguoa for the past four to five years.   Exact cause of death is not known however Marshal Dziejama had a past history of heart problems.  No foul play is suspected.

Around the first of May the Franklin County Narcotics Unit arrested an individual on narcotics violations. She was released pending application of warrants.  The investigation was continuing.  On May 21, at approximately 10:40 PM, deputies passing through the area observed the suspect’s vehicle on the Wal Mart parking lot in the city of Union.  A subject known to have warrants for his arrest from Jefferson County was also in the vehicle.

As deputies approached the driver started to drive away.  Deputies attempted a traffic stop but the driver failed to stop initiating a pursuit.  The pursuit continued east on Hwy 50 on to I-44 going east bound.  During the pursuit deputies observed the occupants of the vehicle throw objects out of the window believed to be narcotics.

The pursuit continued in to the city of Pacific going East on Old Hwy 66/Osage St., in to the city of Eureka.  Eureka Police had deployed spikes near the entrance of their city.  The vehicle struck the spikes deflating the tires.  The vehicle traveled a short distance and stopped.  The female driver was ordered to exit the vehicle but refused to exit.  The driver’s side window was broken and the driver was removed from the vehicle.

The female driver and male passenger were taken in to custody for investigation of resisting arrest, narcotics violations, and numerous traffic charges along with possession of stolen property.

Deputies located checkbooks, checks, and property believed to have been stolen from a burglary in the city of Herman, a location in Gasconade County, and Festus.  One of the checks stolen from the Gasconade County area had been cashed in the city of DeSoto in Jefferson County.                    Ammunition to a 25 Cal., handgun was also located in the vehicle.  Deputies suspect that the handgun was one of the items thrown from the vehicle during the pursuit.  Investigators also located a home stereo system stolen from a Wal Mart in Fredericktown and paperwork from a wallet stolen from St. Clair.

Narcotics believed to be crystal meth, heroin, and marijuana were also found in the vehicle.  The female had a small amount of what is believed to be crystal meth on her person.  Suspects arrested are a white female, age 34 from Washington and a white male, age 29 from Festus.  Both subjects were currently on probation.  The female was on probation for passing bad checks and auto theft and the male for drug violations.  Further investigation is being conducted with agencies where recovered property had been stolen from.

June 2015 gathering of On Eagles’ Wings:

On Eagle’s Wings Ministries International, Inc. invites you to their monthly gathering to be held at the American Legion Hall in Leasburg, Missouri on Monday, June 15, 2015.
Special Speakers: Sue Lahmann and Mary Etta Lewis
Potbless Dinner: 6:00 p.m.
Meeting: 7:00 p.m.
Please call Thea at: 573-259-7755 or Vicki at: 573-205-3427 for more information.   

Aerofil Technology Inc. lost power at the plant on Tuesday evening due to a newly installed city owned transformer that had failed shortly after installation. Working together with the city engineers and having the Sullivan Fire Department on standby as a precautionary measure, power was fully restored around midnight that evening.

All plant operations have fully resumed as of Wednesday morning.

Sunday, June 14, 2015 will be the annual decoration day at Upper Indian Creek Cemetery (about 2 miles east of the First Baptist Church of Viburnum on state highway 1}. You can come for decoration at any time. The meeting for cemetery members will start at 10:30 a.m. in
the cemetery church house, Pleasant Grove Church.

The church building and the historic Point Pleasant School building (across the road from the cemetery and church) will be open for everyone to visit– the school with be open from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. The church will be open the same hours, but from 10:30 a.m., until the end of the membership meeting, no casual visitation allowed — only the actual meeting proceedings.

There are old pictures , books, and school records from the beginning of the school in the late
1800′s up to its closure in the 1900′s. Come see how school was in a one-room school house, and the ministers and other interesting information of the old church.

Any questions call (573) 468-5042 or (573) 775-3588. Hope to see you there!

A 60-year-old Sullivan man drowned after he attempted to cross a flooded roadway in Washington County Tuesday evening, June 16, at 8:40 p.m.

According to the Missouri Highway Patrol the accident occurred when John P. Lyons, 60, Sullivan, was traveling westbound on Hamilton Hollow Rd. when he attempted to cross a flooded roadway in which the vehicle was forced off the left side of the roadway, by flood waters, and then overturned trapping Lyons in the vehicle.

Sullivan Fire and Missouri Baptist Ambulance rushed to the scene of Sleepy Hollow Rd. and attempted to come in the entrance to the roadway near Meramec State Park but were unable to do so with the flooded roadway. The second or southern entrance to Sleepy Hollow provided access for crews to reach the accident scene, however they were unable to save Lyons.

A nearby resident alerted Franklin County authorities that a vehicle had attempted to cross the creek and began, “floating,” in the creek shortly before 8:40 p.m.

Crews were on the scene of the accident for several hours waiting for flood water to recede.

UPDATE:

Authorities say the man who sustained stab wounds after he broke into a Robertsville man’s home early Tuesday has died.

Eric Frazer, 38, was found inside a vehicle in a ditch on Oak Grove Church Road.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office said Frazer was wielding an ax when he broke into the home of Mike Weiners, 60, at about 2 a.m. that morning. Police say Weiners acted in self defense when he stabbed Frazer multiple times.

Original:

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a stabbing at a Robertsville residence early Tuesday morning when a 55-year-old homeowner allegedly stabbed a 38-year-old male from St. Clair that is accused of breaking into his house.

According to Sheriff Gary Toelke, about 1:56 a.m. deputies responded to the 1000 block of Osage Parkway Drive.

The homeowner was standing in the front yard when deputies arrived and said he had stabbed someone. The man said he was asleep in his bedroom when someone forced their way into the residence with an ax that belonged to the homeowner.

The subject said he was going to kill the homeowner and began destroying the inside of the residence. The argument became physical, which led to the homeowner stabbing the intruder.

The subject drove off in the homeowner’s vehicle. He was later located inside the vehicle in a ditch on Oak Grove Church Road with multiple stab wounds. He was flown to Mercy Hospital.

The homeowner had minor injuries to his arm and jaw, but was not hospitalized.

The victim’s condition is not known at this time.

Two Fenton residents received minor and moderate injuries in a single-vehicle accident at the 225 mile marker on Interstate 44 Wednesday in Sullivan.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Mary P. Fasce, 76, and Nancy K. Fasce, 67, were traveling westbound in a 2004 Toyota Corolla when Nancy Fasce swerved to avoid another vehicle, over-corrected and traveled off the right side of the road. The vehicle struck a highway sign, traveled over the north Service Road and overturned.

Both passengers were wearing their seat belts. Nancy Fasce had moderate injuries and Mary Fasce had minor injuries. They were taken to the hospital for treatment.

Brian Henry Jones, 34, St. Clair, MO, was indicted involving his alleged drug activities in Franklin County.
 
Jones was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 24 for multiple felony counts including being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a sawed-off shotgun, manufacturing methamphetamine, maintaining a drug involved premises, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  He appeared for arraignment in federal court this afternoon in St. Louis.
 
If convicted, these charges carry penalties ranging from five year to life in prison.  In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.
 
This case was investigated by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the Multi-County Narcotics and Violent Crimes Enforcement Unit, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant United States Attorney Cristian M. Stevens is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
 
As is always the case, charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt.  Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.                                             

On July 4, at approximately 5:30 AM., Deputies responded to the Lonedell Post Office in reference to a broken window.  Upon arrival, deputies determined that the building had been burglarized.  The area of entry was small indicating that the individual who entered was of small stature.  Postal inspectors were contacted to assist in the investigation.

While investigating the burglary a citizen in the area stopped and stated that a fireworks stand in the area had also been a victim of a theft.  Witnesses reported two juveniles in the area on black bikes around the time of the thefts.

Investigators began searching the Lonedell area for the bikes.  While searching a nearby mobile home park deputies noticed two black bikes parked at one of the residences.  Also with the bikes was a burn pile with some of the items stolen from the Post Office along with a cash register and other missing property stolen from the fireworks stand.

Investigators made contact with an adult at the residence who advised that her grandson was staying with them.  During questioning the grandson he admitted that he and another juvenile had entered the Post Office and removed property.  The case has been turned over to juvenile authorities.

At approximately 5:00pm on July 4th, Franklin County Deputies, Sullivan Fire Personnel, and Missouri Baptist Ambulance responded to the Meramec State Campground located in Sullivan regarding a possible drowning. Franklin County Communications received 911 call regarding a 10 year old female, whom had struck a log while floating on the river while on a flotation device.  Upon striking the log which was laying perpendicular to the bank, the victim was sucked under the log by strong undertows.   She became lodged under the log and her lifejacket became entangled on branches in approximately 4 foot of water.

Bystanders and family friends on a nearby gravel bar observed what had occurred. Attempts were made to rescue the victim. After approximately 5-10 minutes rescuers were able to free the victim and transport her to the gravel bar where resuscitation efforts began.  Sullivan Fire personnel arrived on the scene and proceeded to the area of Green Cave approximately 1.5 miles up-river from the State Park Boat Launch. The reporting parties and victim were found on the gravel bar.  Resuscitation efforts were taken over by ambulance personnel and Sullivan Fire.  The female was transported back to the boat launch area and was transferred to ARCH helicopter for transport to Children’s’ Hospital in St. Louis. She was reported as being in a critical unstable condition.   The incident was investigated by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of Missouri State Water Patrol.  The female was from Farmington, Mo.

Franklin County Deputies are currently investigating an armed robbery that just occurred at the Dollar General Store on Hwy AT in Villa Ridge.  The suspect is described as a white male in his 30s, wearing a black ball cap with white patch, black long sleeve shirt, black pants, and brown beard.  He is approximately 5’5″ tall and 140 lbs.  The suspect is armed.  If you should happen to observe the subject do not approach and call the Sheriff’s Office.  Anyone familiar with someone fitting that description or anyone who may have observed someone in the area of similar clothing is requested to contact the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office at 636-583-2567.  Callers can remain anonymous if requested.

Updated:

At around 5:00 PM, this evening, Aug. 10th the Sheriff’s Office received a phone call from a resident along Old Hwy 100 in Villa Ridge of a suspicious person.  The person was aware of the robbery and had observed the photos stating they thought it may be the suspect.

Upon arrival, the deputy was unable to locate the suspect but later observed him near a driveway and wood line.  As he approached the subject was cooperative removing his hands from his pockets as instructed, however, when the deputy informed him that he was investigating an armed robbery the subject drew a weapon from behind his torso.  The deputy and suspect struggled over the suspect’s weapon and the suspect attempted to remove the deputy’s weapon from the holster.  The deputy was able to gain control of his (deputy’s)weapon and fired a shot striking the subject in the head.

The weapon recovered from the suspect was a semiautomatic handgun with an altered serial number.  The subject would not identify who he was or what he was doing in the area.  He later gave a fictitious name.

Investigators believe that they have identified the subject involved in the shooting and armed robbery on this date.  He is a white male age 58 from the state of Illinois.  He is currently on Federal life probation for bank robbery and has a lengthy criminal history in several states for various felonies.

He was treated at Mercy Hospital in Washington, Missouri for what turned out to be a non-life-threatening wound to the head.  He is expected to be released to deputies this evening and transported to the Franklin County Jail.  Warrants will be applied for tomorrow morning for assault first on a law enforcement officer and armed criminal action.  His name and photo will be released at that time.  Probation and Parole indicate that he had been working for various contractors in the Ferguson area.  His reason for being in Franklin County is unknown at this time.

The deputy received minor cuts to his hands and knee.  We would like to thank citizens in the area for being observant and reporting their information to the Sheriff’s Office.  Their willingness to get involved assisted us in taking a dangerous person off of the streets.

A homeless man has been charged with first-degree robbery, armed criminal action and assault on a law enforcement officer for a robbery at the Dollar General in Villa Ridge Monday.

Franklin Kelley, 57, entered the store around 1 p.m. and after several minutes, he displayed a revolver and demanded money. Kelley was seen leaving on foot.

Kelley was arrested Tuesday and his bond has been set at $500,000.