West Plains, MO. – A West Plains man charged with 14 felonies was caught with methamphetamine while being investigated for shots fired on Ozark Street. Andrew Carter is charged with 14 felonies including possession of a controlled substance, armed criminal action, and possession of a controlled substance from his arrest on November 3, 2022.
According to the probable cause statement, an officer with the West Plains Police Department was investigating a report of shots fired in the area of Ozark and Marianna Streets on the evening of November 3. The officer knew of a suspect in the area that had a history of similar behavior, Andrew Carter.
Investigating the Carter residence, the smell of recent gunfire hung in the air heavily near a broken window. The officer asked Andrew about the report of gunfire and Carter said he heard a gunshot nearby before changing his story that someone had been shooting at him. When the officer asked about the smell near the window, Carter changed his story again, saying someone broke into the house and fired a gun.
While Andrew declined a search of the house, the homeowner agreed to a search of the common area. This search revealed three bullet casings and a rifle near Andrew Carter’s bedroom. The smell of burnt gunpowder was stronger hear Carter’s room, as well. At this point, Carter was arrested.
After being searched at the West Plains Jail, a small bag of what Carter confirmed to be methamphetamine was located strapped to his arm with a bandage wrap.
Carter is a convicted felon in Massachusetts for a weapons charge, explaining one of the Unlawful Possession of a Firearm charges.
Carter was in court on November 15 and will be assigned a public defender. A preliminary hearing will be held on December 6, 2022.
