West Plains, MO. – A Mountain View man has been taken into custody following a traffic stop on Sunday that escalated into a fight with police.
On September 24, 2023, on East 5th Street in Mountain View, a deputy with the Howell County Sheriff’s Office performed a traffic stop on a motorcycle for careless and imprudent driving and a lack of license plates.
During the stop, the suspect, later identified as David Carl Eslinger, age 45, refused to identify himself. Eslinger attempted to leave on the motorcycle and shoved the deputy during his attempt. The deputy called for backup while attempting to prevent Eslinger from fleeing, and was assisted by a member of the Mountain View Police Department and another deputy.
During the scuffle, the MVPD officer and the second deputy received injuries. The three LEOs were able to take the suspect into custody with the use of handcuffs and leg restraints. A search of Eslinger and his effects uncovered a glass pipe, a small bag containing suspected methamphetamine residue, and a loaded 9mm handgun.
Eslinger received medical treatment prior to being taken to the Howell County Jail. He is charged with two counts of 3rd-degree assault – special victim, possession of a controlled substance, unlawful use of a weapon – possess weapon and a felony controlled substance, and resisting arrest for a felony. Eslinger has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is being held in custody on a $50,000 bond.
