Callaway County Sheriff's Office

The following cases were heard on February 16, 2021, in the Circuit Court of Callaway County, Missouri, Division I, Honorable Brouck Jacobs presiding: Brent Lee Garriott, Jr., 26, of Fulton, pleaded guilty to domestic assault in the third degree. Garriott admitted that he knowingly caused physical pain to the female victim by wrapping a wire around her neck during an incident last August. Law enforcement officers were called to the scene of a domestic disturbance between Ga...Continue reading

Callaway Electric is issuing an energy conservation alert. Due to the extreme cold temperatures, the electric grid through the Midwest is under immense pressure... to serve the electric load. In order to avoid the potential need for rolling blackouts, we are asking our members to please help by conserving energy where they can. You can help by lowering your thermostat by a few degrees, turning off unneeded lights, alternating the use of large appliances and avoiding extended hot water use. This energy conservation alert is in effect now thru 8 PM Wednesday, Feb 17. We appreciate your help!

The following case was heard on February 1-3, 2021, in the Circuit Court of Callaway County, Missouri, Division II, Honorable Jeff Harris presiding: Jarrad Ryan Vandergrift, 39, of New Bloomfield, was found guilty of charges of child molestation in the first degree (3 counts) and statutory sodomy in the first degree (3 counts). After a three-day trial, a Callaway County jury found Vandergrift guilty of committing the offenses against a female child at various times between 2...009 and 2018. The victim was 14 years old when she disclosed the sexual abuse to a school counselor in April 2019. The victim testified about the abuse at the trial. Her school counselor also testified regarding the circumstances surrounding the disclosure. As part of the investigation, the victim underwent a forensic medical exam. The physician that conducted that examination testified to the physical findings that were consistent with the victim’s account. After hearing all the evidence, the jury returned with verdicts of guilty on all counts. Vandergrift faces 5 to 15 years on each of the child molestation charges and 10 years to life on each of the statutory sodomy charges. The judge ordered the parties to submit available dates for post-trial motions and final disposition. The case was investigated by the Callaway County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the Rainbow House Child Advocacy Center. The case was prosecuted by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Ben Miller with assistance by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Risa Perkins. See more

MEDIA RELEASE February 11, 2021 CATALYTIC CONVERTER THIEVES NABBED NEAR HATTON DURING OVERNIGHT PROACTIVE PATROLS... Reference: County Road 245 incident, search, and arrests On February 11, 2021, at 2:02 AM, a Callaway County Sheriff’s Office deputy was proactively patrolling County Road 245. During the patrol, the deputy came upon a vehicle parked, unoccupied at a rural cemetery near the County Road 282 intersection. Based on findings at the scene, the deputy believed criminal activity was afoot in the area. Additional deputies, including a Sheriff’s Office K9 unit, responded to assist. Through further investigation, deputies confirmed a stealing/property damage offense (attempted theft of catalytic converter from a resident’s vehicle) had indeed just occurred at a nearby residence. It was determined two suspects had fled on foot and remained in the area. During the course of an extensive search, at 3:16 AM, Vincent Acosta, 56, of Mexico, MO was located on foot near the area of County Road 2002 and arrested. As the search continued for several more hours, deputies eventually located Wesley Preston, 59, of Columbia, MO on foot near County Road 262 at 6:08 AM. Preston was arrested. The Callaway County Prosecuting Attorney has formally charged both Acosta and Preston with felony Property Damage and Tampering with a Motor Vehicle. Preston was additionally charged with a drug related offense. Both remain in-custody at the Callaway County Jail pending bond post. Sheriff Clay Chism provided the statement, This is another example of exemplary performance by deputies as demonstrated through proactive patrols and investigations. End of media release.

The following cases were heard on February 10, 2021, in the Circuit Court of Callaway County, Missouri, Division III, Honorable Kevin Crane presiding: Jesse Stephan Devalle, 40, of Fulton, failed to appear in court and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Ryon Lee Dickens, 36, of Fulton, pleaded guilty to charges of forgery, burglary in the second degree and assault in the fourth degree. Dickens admitted that he possessed a counterfeit $20 bill in December 2019. Dickens was...Continue reading

Date: February 8, 2021 PROACTIVE PATROLS AND INVESTIGATIONS NET 12 ADDITIONAL FELONY ARRESTS Arrested persons:...Continue reading

** CAPTURED by CCSO K-9 unit and deputies ** During proactive patrols of the County Road 134 area, a CCSO K-9 unit spotted Korte on foot. Korte fled....... K9 Krieger and Korte engaged in a game of hide and seek. K9 Krieger won .

Soon we will be posting about our ways of giving back to the community this holiday season. A few events are already planned!! In the meantime, we’re ecstatic about the gifts and acts of kindness we’ve received at our office. Our staff is very much inspired by great community support. Thank you David Backer for presenting us with a handcrafted blue line flag for our facility. The craftsmanship is remarkable and we are most appreciative!

For the past several years, our agency has graciously accepted the invite of the Fulton Missouri Police Department to participate in "No Shave November." As in years past, this November, staff members were again able to pay a policy violation fee of $20.00 each to participate in this awesome way of giving back to the community. All came to fruition yesterday as our deputies and Fulton PD officers presented the proceeds -- over $800.00 -- to the Fulton Senior Center. Realizing the great things this organization does for our local community, it was a great way to support them. Until next November........... the deputies are back to using shaving cream and razors!!!

MEDIA RELEASE **UPDATE** December 3, 2020 @ 2:30 PM Reference: ARRESTS made reference Mount Vernon Missionary Church burglary and vandalism. ... On December 2, 2020, four male juveniles from the Jefferson City Holts Summit area, ranging in ages of 14 to 16, were arrested for felony Burglary and Property Damage charges reference the Mount Vernon Missionary Church destruction that occurred on November 25, 2020 outside of Holts Summit. All four juveniles were turned over to 13th Circuit juvenile authorities and transferred to the custody of the Juvenile Justice Center in Columbia. Juvenile Court proceedings will occur thereafter. The investigation remains active and further arrests/charges are possible. We offer our appreciation to the local Callaway County community for not only the lead information they provided to law enforcement, but also the outpouring of support that has been given to the Mount Vernon leadership and congregation. We consider the acts committed upon this church to be offensive and despicable and frankly, not an adequate representation of our community. We too offer appreciation to the Jefferson City Police Department - Official Homepage and the Audrain County Sheriff's Office for their assistance with the investigation. Jefferson City officers assisted with suspect identifications once leads were developed. Audrain County deputies assisted with providing technical resources for expeditious evidence processing. When law enforcement agencies work together and provide/share resources, the community is best served. End of media release.

MEDIA RELEASE Date: December 1, 2020 FORMER MDOC OFFICER CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTING TO SMUGGLE DRUGS INTO FULTON PRISON AFTER SHERIFF’S OFFICE / MDOC / USPIS INVESTIGATION ... Arrested person information: Randi Duvall, 35, of Auxvasse, MO On December 1, 2020, the Callaway County Prosecuting Attorney formally charged Randi Duvall, 35, of Auxvasse, MO with the Class E felony offense of Acceding to Corruption by a Public Servant. Duvall had been arrested by Callaway County Sheriff’s Office deputies on October 28, 2020 and then booked/processed at the Callaway County Jail. The charge is the result of an extensive investigation conducted by the Callaway County Sheriff’s Office, the Missouri Department of Corrections (MDOC), and the United States Postal Inspection Service leading to the October 28, 2020 arrest. Duvall was employed as a corrections officer at the MDOC -- Fulton Reception and Diagnostic Center in Fulton, MO at the time of her arrest. The investigation and subsequent charge involved the smuggling of illegal drugs into the state prison. The investigation is ongoing and further arrests/charges are possible. *** The Callaway County Sheriff and his staff continue to work with other law enforcement agencies and community partners to curb criminal activity throughout the county. Citizens are reminded they can anonymously report criminal activity to Crimestopper’s at 573-592-2474 or online at www.callawaysheriff.org. *** End of media release.

Date: October 28, 2020 PROACTIVE PATROLS AND INVESTIGATIONS NET SIX ADDITIONAL FELONY ARRESTS DRUG, BURGLARY/THEFT, FUGITIVE OFFENSES Arrested person information:...Continue reading

Earlier this afternoon, we saw our friends at the Fulton Missouri Police Department posting about their new wood pellet grill!! As we were mesmerizing, Nick Niedergerke with our local Westlake Ace Hardware store arrived to our office!! What a surprise! We sure appreciate Nick and the local Westlake Ace Hardware Fulton staff recognizing area emergency responders. ... Our new Weber Grills assembly will be great for community events, off-site training exercises, staff meetings, etc. Another true testament of working in a great community

On Saturday October 24, 2020, the 19th Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) sponsored, Drug Take Back event was held by the Callaway County Sheriff's Office and the Callaway 2 Water District. A total of 18 boxes (336 lbs.) of unused/expired, over the counter and prescription medication was turned in for proper disposal. This medication will now be transported by the DEA to St. Louis, MO where it will be incinerated. This is great partnership to help ensure this medication does not wind up in the hands of children or get flushed and eventually trace amounts end up in the water table.

Another great collaborative effort, aided by CCSO K9 Krieger, leads to felony arrest. #K9Krieger. Suspect located by CCSO K9 Krieger hiding in a creek after fleeing from stolen vehicle found by local MSHP trooper near the Interstate 70 - US Highway 54 interchange in Kingdom City. MSHP online arrest report linked.

Thank you to the Fulton Sun for this informative article in today's paper!!

Date: October 21, 2020 FELONY BURGLARY/THEFT, DRUG, AND WARRANT ARRESTS CONTINUE ACROSS THE COUNTY Arrested person information:...Continue reading

Reminder --- Drug Take Back drive-thru event this Saturday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Callaway County Water District #2 Office, 2610 Westminster Avenue, Fulton. You don't even have to get out of your car!!! Just roll in, roll out. For anyone interested but unable to make this event, our office also has a drop-box available in our lobby 24-7-365.

Congratulations to Sgt. Corey Schmidt -- CCSO patrol supervisor and K9 handler -- for receiving the Fulton Rotary Club's 2020 G.W. Law - Law Officer of the Year award. Hard work does not go unnoticed in our community!! We also congratulate Sgt. Jeff Harding -- CCSO investigator and evidence custodian -- for his nomination of this award also.

The attached document is a query of the calls for service (referred to as CFS) handled by the Callaway County Sheriff's Office for September, 2020. During this time frame deputies traveled over 68,918 miles during patrol and investigations. For reference, the CFS titles are generated by the Joint Communications Center based on the initial information provided to dispatch, whereas, the communications center is not operated by the Sheriff's Office and is a separate county enti...Continue reading

The following cases were heard on October 5, 2020, in the Circuit Court of Callaway County, Missouri, Division II, Honorable Jeff Harris presiding: Drew Adam Pierce, 32, of Lincoln, Nebraska, pleaded guilty to charges of felony resisting arrest, tampering with a motor vehicle in the first degree, assault in the second degree against a law enforcement officer and burglary in the second degree. Pierce admitted that he was a passenger in a vehicle being operated by co-defendant...Continue reading

MEDIA RELEASE Date: October 16, 2020 65 MINUTE SHERIFF’S OFFICE PURSUIT OF STOLEN VEHICLE ACROSS MULTIPLE COUNTIES LEADS TO ARREST OF OZARK, MO MAN ... Arrested person information: Terry McMillen, 31, of Ozark, MO On October 16, 2020, at approximately 12:49 AM, a Callaway County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) deputy was proactively patrolling the area of County Road 395 near US Highway 63 in southern Callaway County. During the proactive patrol, the deputy became involved in a vehicle pursuit initiated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) on US Highway 63 near the Boone-Callaway County line. As the pursuit neared Jefferson City on US Highway 63, CCSO took over the pursuit which was determined to involve a stolen vehicle from Monroe County, MO. CCSO deputies subsequently continued to pursue the stolen vehicle onto State Highway 94, State Road D, State Road K (into Montgomery County), State Highway 19 (Montgomery County), and back onto State Highway 94 (Montgomery County). Once the pursuit was preparing to reenter Callaway County on State Highway 94 east of Portland, the vehicle came to a stop (1:54 AM) and the driver; Terry McMillen, 31, of Ozark, MO was arrested. McMillen was transported to the Callaway County Jail where he remains in-custody pending the posting of $50,000 bond. The Callaway County Prosecuting Attorney formally charged McMillen with Felony Tampering with a Motor Vehicle 1st, Felony Resisting Arrest, and traffic offenses. *** The Callaway County Sheriff and his staff continue to work with other law enforcement agencies and community partners to curb criminal activity throughout the county. Citizens are reminded they can anonymously report criminal activity to Crimestopper’s at 573-592-2474 or online at www.callawaysheriff.org. *** End of media release. ** All suspects are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law **

Date: October 14, 2020 PROACTIVE PATROLS NET SEVEN FELONY ARRESTS --- SIX OF WHICH INCLUDE METH POSSESSION Arrested person information:...Continue reading

Date: October 7, 2020 PROACTIVE PATROLS AND INVESTIGATIONS NET SEVEN FELONY ARRESTS Arrested person information:...Continue reading

Happy 5th Birthday K9 Iro!!