Investigators with the Sedalia Police Department's Crime Resolution Unit conducted an investigation into people suspected of involvement in the distribution of crack cocaine in the Sedalia area in the beginning of August, according to a Sedalia Police Department news release.
Investigators conducted controlled purchases of crack cocaine over a three-month period to gather intelligence and identify all individuals in the drug trafficking organization, according to the news release.
As each purchase was made, probable cause was developed for a state charges related to distributing a controlled substance within a protected location against individuals who repeatedly conducted sales, according to the news release.
Charges were filed against Sarandon A. Staten and Brad Cole in connection to the investigation, according to the Police Department.
Staten, 31, is charged with second-degree drug trafficking (cocaine), delivery of a controlled substance (crack cocaine), manufacturing a controlled substance (crack cocaine), possession of a controlled substance (marijuana), unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon.
Cole is charged with possession of a controlled substance (cocaine), unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon, armed criminal action, tampering with physical evidence for a felony, and distribution of a controlled substance (marijuana).
Investigators believe the Staten transported large quantities of cocaine into Pettis County for the purpose of manufacturing crack cocaine and distributing it to individuals from whom investigators had purchased crack cocaine, according to the news release from the Police Department.
The case was presented to a Petits County grand jury on Nov. 19, resulting in indictments against seven individuals from whom crack cocaine was purchased during the investigation, according to the Police Department. Arrest warrants were subsequently issued for the individuals, police said.
Search warrants were executed at three separate residences known to be involved in illegal drug activity related to the investigation on Nov. 25, according to the news release.
At 1305 E. 14th St., identified as Staten's residence, a search warrant was served and Staten was taken into custody without incident, according to the news release.
The search of the residence resulted in more than one half pound of cocaine, nearly 1 ounce of crack cocaine, approximately 3 pounds of marijuana, an illegally possessed firearm and a U.S. currency believed to be proceeds from illegal drug sales, according to the news release.
Staten was then arrested, transported to the Pettis County Jail, and placed on 24-hour hold, according to the news release.
Another search warrant was executed at 517 N. Washington Ave., suspected to be used by Staten and other members of the organization to manufacture cocaine, according to the news release.
Another suspect was taken into custody there without incident, according to the news release.
The search of the residence led investigators to find cocaine and items consistent with crack cocaine manufacturing, according to the news release. The second suspect was arrested and transported to the Pettis County Jail, where he is now placed on 24-hour hold pending state charges, according to the news release.
Other arrests
The Sedalia Police Department arrested the following people for arrest warrants issued to them earlier that day. The suspects are accused of distributing crack cocaine, according to the Police Department
- Jeffery A. Boggs, 68
- Tiffany S. Boggs, 55
- Chiron B. Webb, 34
- Kelvin Q. Newbill, 62
- George C. Smith, 61
George Johnson, 40, is currently incarcerated in Lafayette County and had an arrest warrant issued for him, according to the Police Department. Dale P. Boggs, 66, is wanted in connection to the investigation, according to the Police Department.