Pettis County Sheriff’s Reports for December 7, 2022

This article is compiled from reports issued by the Pettis County Sheriff's Office.

Friday morning, Deputies from the Pettis County Sheriff's Office, Investigators from the Mid Missouri Drug Task Force, and an Investigator from the Benton County Sheriff's Office served a search warrant for stolen firearms at the residence of Jeffrey L. Friedley, 38, of Mora. The residence is in the 30000 block of Highway M. During the search of the residence, two firearms, four homemade explosive devices, and methamphetamine were recovered. The Missouri State Highway Patrol Bomb Unit responded to the scene and rendered the explosive devices safe. Friedley is being held at the Pettis County Jail pending formal charges of two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm (possessed by a convicted felon), four counts of Manufacturing an Explosive Device, Possession of a Short Barreled Rifle, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child in the 2nd Degree.

Pettis County Deputies responded to the area of Route O and Salem Road last Thursday night, for an investigation into reports of a female screaming for help. Deputies arrived and found a disturbance had occurred in the 29000 block of Salem Road. After an on scene investigation, Larry David Craig III, 28, of Columbia, was arrested. Craig was transported to the Pettis County Jail to be booked on charges of felony Armed Criminal Action, felony Domestic Assault in the 3rd Degree, two felony counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child Creating Substantial Risk (Non Sexual), Driving While Intoxicated, felony Kidnapping in the 2nd Degree, felony Unlawful Use of a Weapon (Loaded, While Intoxicated), and Violation of a Full Order of Protection. Bond for Craig was set at $50,000 cash or surety.

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Early Wednesday morning, Pettis County Deputies were dispatched to the 25000 block of Van Natta Road in reference to a burglary in progress. The Pettis County Joint Communication advised the reporting party stated he was sprayed in the face with pepper spray. Also inside the residence was an infant, who was sleeping adjacent to where the subject sprayed the reporting party. Deputies arrested Jeanie Ann Bass, 19, of Sedalia. Bass was transported to the Pettis County Jail to be booked on charges of Burglary in the 1st Degree, Endangering the Welfare of a Child in the 2nd Degree, Armed Criminal Action, and Domestic Assault in the 3rd Degree.

Monday evening, Deputies responded to the 14000 block of Carroll Road in La Monte in reference to a disturbance. Reports stated an intoxicated male was threatening to shoot the residents with a shotgun. Upon arrival, Deputies spoke with the reporting party, who stated a male known to him showed up intoxicated and began threatening the residents. The subject departed before Deputies arrived on scene. Information was taken from the reporting party. Approximately an hour later, Deputies returned to the same residence due to the intoxicated male showing up again and forcing entry into the home. Deputies arrived on scene and took Jason C. Davis, 44, of Sedalia, into custody. While investigating, a third party subject on scene was found to have a Failure to Appear warrant out of Johnson County. Deputies also took Cathy A. Cawthon, 56, of La Monte, into custody. Davis was transported to the Bothwell Regional Health Center to obtain a fit for confinement check. Davis and Cawthon were then both transported to the Pettis County Jail. Davis was placed on a 24 hour hold pending charges of felony Burglary in the 1st Degree, with bond set at $10,000 cash or surety. Cawthon was booked in on her Failure to Appear warrant on original charges of Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility with bond set at $250.00.

On the night of December 2nd, Deputies were dispatched to the 35000 block of Highway M in reference to a domestic disturbance. The suspect fled the area prior to law enforcement arrival. Several hours later, Deputies received another call to the area stating the suspect had returned. The suspect was located walking on Highway M and placed under arrest. Michael Robert Walstead, 50, of Sedalia, was placed under arrest for Domestic Assault in the 4th Degree. Bond for Walstead was set at $1500 cash or surety.