Ava, MO. – On Saturday, April 29th, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department responded to a call about suspicious activity happening at the Gentry Road Side Park on Highway 5 near Ava.
Upon arrival Deputy Sam Evans and Corporal James Nelson made contact with a couple out of a white Dodge truck. The pair appeared to have been under the influence and a search of the vehicle was conducted. Inside, officers found drug paraphernalia that field tested positive for marijuana and methamphetamine.
Dean Gower, age 31, of Ava and Taylor Welch, age 27, also of Ava, were arrested by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department pending formal charges.
Welch has 7 prior drug related offenses and was currently on Probation for possession of a controlled substance. Gower has 2 prior drug related offenses. A warrant was later issued for Dan Gower and Taylor Welch for Possession of a controlled substance bond was set at $1500 cash only, twice week drug testing and a 7 pm to 7 am curfew. Both have since posted bond.
