Arrests have been made in connection with a narcotics drop which was attempted at the Missouri Department of Transportation barn on Missouri Highway 6 west of Gallatin.
This website brought to you in part by the following sponsor:
Find out how to advertise here - Email us! [email protected]
According to the probable cause statement filed by Patrolman M.A. Ott, he and Department of Corrections Investigator Tim Carder located four balloons, filled with marijuana, in a sock near the propane tanks at the Gallatin barn on March 12. Carder’s investigation indicated that the marijuana had been dropped off at the barn on March 9. The investigation also revealed that the narcotics were delivered so they could be smuggled back into the Department of Corrections.
The drop had been arranged by a Department of Corrections inmate, Brent C. Minton, in cooperation with another inmate, John J. Young. Young was traveling to the Gallatin barn with a DOT employee on work release each day. Young was to pick up the narcotics on March 10 and smuggle them back into the Department of Corrections; however, he was removed from work release before he could make the pickup.
On March 12, at approximately 11:30 p.m., the site was under surveillance by Sergeant L.M. Allen and Corporal M.A. Wilhoit when Michael G. Davidson and Amanda Hodges were observed in the act of picking up the narcotics which had been left at the barn on March 9. The narcotics-filled sock had been placed back at the drop site during the surveillance. Davidson and Hodges fled the scene, driving west on Missouri Highway 6 for approximately one-half mile. Davidson then fled on foot. Hodges was apprehended at the vehicle. Her 3-year-old child was also in the car.
Around 1 a.m., Davidson was observed at the Viking Truck Stop.
On March 13, while on work release, Young was arrested while he was attempting to retrieve the narcotics from the original spot where they had been placed. He was arrested by Sergeant Allen and Daviess County Deputy Watson, who were conducting surveillance of the location.
Hodges, 27, Independence, was charged March 13 with attempt to possess controlled substance with intent to deliver, class B felony, and endangering welfare of child, class A misdemeanor. She is being held on $50,000 bond. Davidson, Kansas City, who is still at large, has been charged with attempt to possess controlled substance with intent to deliver, class B felony.