Region briefs 04/29/03

Sikeston men arrested on meth charges

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Two men were charged Friday after deputies allegedly found them making methamphetamine inside a shed on County Road 480 west of Sikeston.

Deputies served a search warrant on the home Thursday evening. Officers found Robert E. Law, 32, of Sikeston, apparently making the illicit drug inside a shed behind the residence, said Scott County Sheriff Bill Ferrell. Law ran from the residence but was caught by officers after a short foot chase.

Law and Ronald E. McKenzie, 49, of Bloomfield, Mo., are charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, unlawful use of drug paraphernalia, possesion of methamphetamine precursors and possession of anhydrous ammonia. Law is also charged with resisting arrest by flight. Bond for both men is set at $150,000 each.

Ferrell expects additional arrests to be made in the case, he said.

Law has pleaded guilty twice before in Scott County to similar meth charges in 2000 and was placed on probation in both cases. In 2002, a warrant was issued for his arrest in Scott County for probation violation. In Cape Girardeau County, he pleaded guilty to possession of meth ingredients in September 2002. He was placed on probation, but it was revoked in March.

East Prairie man's body found in rural ditch

ANNISTON, Mo. -- An East Prairie man who had been missing since Tuesday was found lying dead in a ditch Saturday afternoon.

According to Mississippi County Coroner Terry Parker, David Bruce "Butch" Wilson, 51, was riding his four-wheeler south of Anniston on Mississippi County Road 334, and evidently flipped the four-wheeler into a ditch.

Wilson's body reportedly was found by a relative.

Although Wilson was pronounced dead by Parker on Saturday, it appears Wilson died instantly Tuesday of a broken neck, Parker said.

Shelby Funeral Home of East Prairie is in charge of funeral arrangements.

-- From staff, wire reports