Ava, MO. – Two Marionville residents were arrested earlier this month on drug charges and tampering with evidence in Douglas County.
On the morning of July 9th at 11:15 a.m., William L. Taylor and Sammie S. Baugher were placed under arrest following a traffic stop performed on a vehicle on MO 5. The Douglas County Deputy initially stopped the vehicle due to the front license plate being partially obscured.
The vehicle was driven by Taylor, who did not have a valid driver’s license or proof of insurance, has 9 prior convictions for driving while suspended/revoked, three convictions for driving without a license, and, with Baugher, were currently on probation for drug possession. The deputy cited this, a cluttered vehicle, and their “gaunt unkempt appearance” as suspicion they were still using illegal substances and requested to search the vehicle. According to the probable cause statement, Taylor consented to the search.
The deputy located a meth pipe submerged in a coffee cup, baggies with methamphetamine residue, baggies containing field-tested meth, multiple used syringes, and a broken meth pipe.
Both suspects were charged with possession of a controlled substance, tampering with physical evidence in felony prosecution, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Taylor received additional charges of operating a vehicle on the highway without a valid license, failure to comply with ignition interlock device requirements, displaying plates of another person, and operating a motor vehicle without maintaining financial responsibility.
According to online court documents, both are being held in the Douglas County Jail on a $10,000 bond for their charges.
