Five arrested on drug charges in Charleston

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Five area residents are in the county jail on drug-related charges following a traffic stop by a Mississippi County deputy.

Deputy Marc Tragesser attempted to conduct a traffic stop in East Prairie, Mo., on Wednesday for illegal tint on a car window. When the vehicle driven by Mark J. Owens, 26, of East Prairie failed to stop a pursuit began, according to Mississippi County Sheriff Keith Moore.

When Owens' vehicle did finally stop, a passenger later identified as Brian Haynes, 26, of Charleston attempted to flee the area. Moore said Haynes was quickly subdued by Tragesser.

"Upon search of the vehicle, drug paraphernalia containing marijuana residue, syringes and marijuana were located," Moore said in a news release.

Owens is charged with resisting arrest by fleeing, failure to appear, a parole warrant violation, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and traffic offenses. His bond is set at $26,000.

Haynes is charged with possession of marijuana and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia and is being held on $26,000 cash-only bond.

Stephanie Schoffner, 23, of East Prairie is charged with tampering with physical evidence and possession of marijuana, and is being held on $25,000 cash-only bond.

Laeklynn Scott, 21, of East Prairie and Brook Logan Deroush, 21, of Sikeston, Mo., are charged with possession of marijuana. Each is being held on $1,000 cash-only bond.

As of Saturday, all five remained in the Mississippi County Detention Center at Charleston, Mo.

Assisting Tragesser in the search were Mississippi County Deputy Mike Borders, Reserve Deputy Randy Cook and Security Officer Cory Hutcheson who filmed the search.

Pertinent address:

Charleston, Mo.