The Willow Springs Police Department has taken an aggressive stance against the drug problem in its community. Officers are using social media to help fight the problem. On several occasions, suspects have reached out to who they thought to be an adult female on social media, but in fact they were talking to Willow Springs Police Officers.
On May 1, a 78-year-old Mountain View male contacted the profile, asking if he could meet with (her) and bring her some Marijuana Brownies. A short time later the male arrived at the designated location and did bring Marijuana Brownies. A short time later he allowed Willow Springs and Mountain View PD Officers to search his residence at 210 E 7th St. in Mountain View, Mo. Officers located more Marijuana Brownies, a substance believed to be Marijuana Butter, Marijuana oil, Marijuana plants, and Morphine pills. The subject was released, with paperwork being sent to the Prosecuting Attorney’s office for filing of charges.
On May 6, the same profile that is being (manned) by the police department was contacted by a 54-year-old Caulfield man. Subject wrote that he would like to exchange pain medication, and cash for sexual contact. Sometime later officers located the subject at the location agreed upon, and he was found to be in possession of 33 Hydromorphone pills (a Schedule 2 controlled substance). The subject was booked and released with paperwork being sent to the Howell County Prosecuting attorney’s office.
On May 14, a male contacted the profile and arranged to meet at a designated area in Willow Springs. The male stated he would bring a variety of drugs. Upon arrival, police made contact with the male and later arrested him. He was found to be in possession of the following items.
- 6 bags of Marijuana
- 2 bags of pills believed to be MDMA (ecstasy)
- 1 bag of possible Methamphetamine
- 1 bag of suspected Heroin
- 19 bags of THC gummies
- 1 tin container containing suspected Fentynal
- 3 bags of psychedelic mushrooms
- 23 Gabapentin pills
- 6 Xanax bars
- 1 bag of Adderall pills
- 2 Viagra pills
- 1 silencer
- 1 pair of brass knuckles
- 1 shotgun
- 1 rifle
- 2 handguns
He was taken into custody and charged with 16 Felony counts.
On May 15, the profile was contacted by a male offering to supply us with controlled substances. As a result of this interaction, Police Officers were able to identify the suspect and did successfully apply for a search warrant.
On May 16, Officers with the Willow Springs Police Department, MSHP, Howell County Sheriff’s Office, and South-Central Drug Task Force served a search warrant at the residence of a Mtn. View man. As a result of the search warrant the following items were seized:
- A large amount of cash
- 3 bags of Marijuana
- 6 bags of THC gummy bears
- 1 bag of Mushrooms
- 3 shotguns
- 1 handgun
- Several items of paraphernalia including scales, vacuum sealers, bags, etc.
The man was arrested and charged with 8 Felony Charges.
On May 22, a 31-year-old Willow Springs male contacted the profile offering to sell Methamphetamine. The officers agreed to meet him at his home on High Street. When officers arrived, they located two bags of what is believed be methamphetamines, Paperwork is being sent to the Prosecuting Attorney’s office requesting charges.
Willow Springs Police Chief Hogan wanted to acknowledge the outstanding work of Cpl. Brian Jackson and Officer Paden Turnbull for their efforts in this investigation that took a large amount of illegal drugs off the street, and stopped the efforts of local drug distributors in our area.