Man leads law enforcement on chase
A man who was holding his wife in a vehicle without her consent led several law enforcement agencies in a pursuit from Corinth into Cooke County on Wednesday afternoon, officials said.
Corinth police Lt. Carrie West said Corinth officers responded to a report that a woman had been kidnapped and was in a car with a man driving through the city on Interstate 35E.
Texas Department of Public Safety troopers joined Corinth officers in pursuing the vehicle. Denton County sheriff’s deputies later joined the pursuit north through the county to the county line.
Trooper Lonny Haschel, DPS spokesman, said his agency was notified about 5:45 p.m. and began pursuing the Nissan Murano northbound on I-35E. The troopers followed the vehicle about 25 miles before the driver lost control, he said. The wife fled the car, but there was a brief standoff before the driver emerged from the vehicle.
According to dispatch notes, the man had used methamphetamine and taken anti-anxiety drugs and threatened to hit a bridge with the car or force officers to shoot him.
Troopers threw out spikes at the north end of Loop 288, flattening two tires, but the man continued driving on the rims until he neared Valley View, where he lost control of the vehicle and stopped.
According to the dispatch records, he asked the troopers to kill him.
Larry Clanton, 56, of Austin remained Thursday in Denton County Jail in lieu of $125,000 bail on charges of aggravated kidnapping, evading arrest in a vehicle, possession of a controlled substance and possession of a prohibited weapon.
In attempted murder case, a mirror of a 2006 charge
They found him outside in his underwear, bleeding, with two chisels stuck in the ground next to him.
Not far away, inside the Lawson Hill house where his girlfriend lives, blood was spattered on the walls and the carpet. Michael McCullough is accused of trying to kill his girlfriend by cutting off her airway with a broomstick minutes before. She was able to fight him off and flee into a neighbor’s house.
The arrest on Saturday evening rippled through the tiny Lawson Hill community — just outside of Telluride — but bears a shocking resemblance to a 2006 charge against McCullough for attempting to murder his mother in their Montrose home. In that instance, he allegedly told her he was going to kill her before grabbing her from behind. She smashed a flowerpot into his head, cutting McCullough and sending him into the streets, where he was later arrested, bleeding from his head.
In fact, McCullough could have been arrested at any time after July 26 of this year — the date he was to appear in court on a motion to revoke his probation in connection with the 2006 charges. In that case, he would plead guilty to first-degree assault. He was issued four years probation in 2007.
Here, a bizarre and harrowing turn of events led to his arrest.
Here’s an outline of what happened, according to the arrest affidavit on file at the San Miguel County Courthouse:
McCullough — who has a PO box in Ridgway — and his girlfriend, whom he’d been with for eight months, had been working outside earlier in the day at her Lawson Hill house and would later go inside to watch TV. The victim took a nap and awoke, noting that McCullough’s behavior appeared odd. It’s reported that he’d been drinking all day — he is legally forbidden to drink — and was drunk. The arrest affidavit also said McCullough had burn marks on the roof of his mouth consistent with smoking either methamphetamine or crack cocaine. His behavior was described as “fast” and “erratic” by the victim.
“Hey baby, I’m taking your car,” McCullough said on his way out the door. He then drove off, which upset her because he’d been drinking and because McCullough has seizures, making it dangerous for him to drive. She ran out to stop him and he flashed her his middle finger. She threatened to call the police, but didn’t.
McCullough returned to the house 15 minutes later, but without her car. He threw the keys at her when she asked about the 1990 Ford Escort and told her the car was by some Dumpsters, about five minutes away. As she walked toward her car, he antagonized her by calling 911 and shoved a phone in her face; McCullough then threw the phone at her.
She returned with her car and drove it back to the house, then awoke her roommate and told him McCullough had taken her car and that he was acting “erratic.”
The two heard a crash downstairs. Inspection revealed “a lot” of blood in the laundry room; McCullough had cut his wrist. He then ran out of the house in only his underwear.
The victim called 911 and locked herself in the bathroom; her roommate got into his car to search the neighborhood for McCullough, who returned when he was out. His girlfriend let him back into the house “because he was bleeding,” though as soon as she opened the door, he was physically combative. He shoved her onto the deck, yelling “defend yourself” before he bent her over the deck railing and pressed a broom handle against her neck, attempting to choke her. He showed her his teeth while forcing the broomstick against her neck. She was still on the phone with 911, but by then it had fallen to the ground.
The victim fought off McCullough by grabbing the broom and kicking him. When she got free she kicked her neighbor’s door for help. He came outside and pulled McCullough from her, and they fled inside and locked the door. At this point, she was covered in McCullough’s blood. Within five minutes, the police had arrived.
McCullough is currently in the San Miguel County Jail and not eligible for bail. He was booked on the following charges: attempted murder, second-degree assault, domestic violence, second-degree aggravated motor vehicle theft, violation of a protection order, obstruction of telephone service, resisting arrest and harassment.
Deputy District Attorney Keri Yoder has yet to file formal charges and said she’d do so next week. It isn’t yet clear what those charges will be. If convicted of one charge of attempted murder, McCullough could face 10-31 years in jail.
The latest report is eerily similar to a 2006 attempted murder charge against McCullough. After complaining about his girlfriend, he grabbed his then 50-year-old mother from behind and allegedly said: “I’m going to kill you,” according to news reports. She was able to grab a flowerpot and strike him over her left shoulder, breaking it against him and gashing his head. She, like the recent victim, ended up covered in his blood. At that time, McCullough had a criminal history involving allegations of assault, stalking, menacing and failures to appear in court.
In the past, District Attorney Myrl Serra told The Montrose Daily Press: “[McCullough’s] a danger to himself and to the community. … The chances of him relapsing and jeopardizing the arrangement that’s been set up for him are 99 percent.”
San Miguel County Sheriff Bill Masters limited comment on the specific arrest in Lawson, but did express frustration with a legal system that affords misdeeds.
“It’s not surprising to me one bit,” he said of McCullough’s ability to roam free. “There are a lot of people walking around the streets who have been convicted of murder.”
A Colorado Bureau of Investigation check ran on those purchasing guns found that more than 100 convicted murders have tried to buy firearms in the state of Colorado.
“To me, why the hell are 100 convicted murderers around walking the streets trying to buy firearms? Why are they even out?” Masters asked. “It’s a system that is flawed. Especially when people are constant problems. … Now, he’s our problem.”
Saranac man arrested in Ionia County meth lab bust
A 38-year-old Saranac man is facing charges connected to the discovery of a methamphetamine laboratory in Easton Township.
Ionia County deputies were investigating a domestic violence complaint Wednesday at a home on Bluewater Highway (M-21) just east of Saranac, when they discovered the meth lab.
Members of the Central Michigan Enforcement Team (CMET) arrived at the home to examine and dismantle the lab.
The suspect’s name is not being released until his arraignment. He was arrested on domestic violence charges, but investigators say more charges connected to the lab are forthcoming.
CMET is a drug task force made up of different police and sheriffs’ departments from Ionia, Newaygo, Montcalm and Mecosta counties.
Police found meth lab materials in a toddler’s pink “Dora the Explorer” backpack Tuesday night.
The child’s parents were jailed and the two young children with them were referred to the Department of Human Services, police said.
Officers stopped a car that did not have an operating tag or third brake light about 10 p.m. Tuesday at 71st Street and 193rd East Avenue. They found a married couple and their children, ages 1 and 2, in the car, an arrest report said.
The officer smelled burnt marijuana and an odor of methamphetamine manufacturing, the report said. He asked the occupants to get out of the vehicle, and the components of a meth lab were found in the girl’s backpack, the report said.
The parents, Cecil Doyle Martin, 33, and Melissa Dawn Martin, 26, of Broken Arrow, are in the Tulsa Jail on complaints of manufacturing methamphetamine, child endangerment and marijuana possession. They are being held without bond, jail records show.
Melissa Martin told police that she had bought some of the meth lab items and had put the backpack in the car. The report said she also had pseudoephedrine pills and 3.5 grams of marijuana in her pocket.
Cecil Martin has served prison time for unlawful possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled drug with the intent to distribute.
State Department of Corrections records show that he is on probation in a Muskogee County case
Ex-Iowa cop pleads in drug, burglary charges
A former Pleasant Hill police officer accused of stealing methamphetamine from an evidence room has pleaded guilty to drug and burglary charges.
Former Sgt. Daniel Herbert Edwards pleaded guilty Thursday to possession of a controlled substance, operating while intoxicated, and third-degree burglary.
The 42-year-old Edwards was charged after he crashed his cruiser on April 1. He was fired after toxicology tests showed methamphetamine in his system.
5 Jailed on meth complaints
Broken Arrow police in the early hours of Monday located a vehicle near 300 E. Kenosha St. and allegedly found methamphetamine precursors and manufacturing equipment in the vehicle.
Officers stopped the vehicle which did not have a tag light, and contact was made with the driver, Roland Wulff, 30, of 508 E. Madison St. It was discovered he was operating the vehicle with a suspended drivers license.
During a search of his person, officers allegedly found marijuana in Wulff’s pocket; a search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of coffee filters and tubing, just purchased.
At a followup investigation at Wulff’s residence, Wulff’s girlfriend allowed officers inside where at least two “shake ‘n’ bake” meth labs, one of them active, were discovered along with additional meth lab ingredients and components consisting of camp fuel, muriatic acid, cold packs containing ammonium nitrate, contaminated jars, tubing and coffee filters.
Wulff is a convicted felon for assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a stolen vehicle and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
He was jailed without bond on the complaints of manufacturing a controlled substance after former conviction of a felony, possession of marijuana and driving under suspension.
Four other individuals, Michael Lee Watkins, 26, of 814 N. Fourth St., Sherry Lynn Williams, 37, of 508 E. Madison St., Amy Lea Matthews, 28, Route 2, Box 180B, Haskell, and Evelyn Kelsey, 54, 508 E. Madison, were taken into custody.
Police reports indicate Watkins “stays” at the apartment and was aware of the labs. Post-Miranda, he allegedly admitted to teaching the resident how to cook meth. He was arrested for manufacturing a controlled substance after former conviction of a felony and four fugitive warrants for violating a protective order, domestic violence/resisting and possession of drug paraphernalia (failure to pay). He was jailed without bond.
Williams was arrested for manufacturing a controlled substance after former conviction of a felony (knowingly concealing stolen property, uttering a forged instrument and possession of a controlled drug) and for child endangerment. No bond was set. Police say Williams’ 3-year-old son was present; he was taken into protective custody and placed with the Department of Human Services.
Matthews was arrested for manufacturing a controlled substance; no bond was set. She allegedly admitted post-Miranda to providing Pseudoephedrine for meth production at the apartment.
Kelsey was arrested for manufacturing a controlled substance and no bond was set. She also allegedly admitted to purchasing and providing Pseudoephedrine for the labs.
baledger.com
Napa woman arrested after assault
A woman was arrested Tuesday after police say she threw a horseshoe at a man.
At 4:33 p.m., Napa police responded to the 2100 block of Redwood Road.
A man told police he was in an argument with Misti Johnson, 38, who threw a horseshoe at him, police said. It hit him, causing minor visible injury.
Johnson consented to a search of her vehicle, where officers found a small amount of methamphetamine, police said.
Johnson was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence, assault with a deadly weapon and drug possession. She was booked at the Napa County Department of Corrections.
napavalleyregister.com
Police arrest Bullitt woman who had been missing
Brittney M. Kustes, the Bullitt woman who was at the center of a statewide search for almost two weeks, was arrested Tuesday.
Bullitt Circuit Judge Rodney Burress ordered the 19-year-old Brooks woman to serve 30 days in jail for violating the conditions of a drug-court program, according to the circuit court clerk’s office.
Drug court allows offenders to undergo an intense one- to two-year program aimed at getting them off their addictions. The clerk’s office would not disclose the nature of Kustes’ violation.
Kustes was arrested at the Bullitt County Judicial Center and is being held at the Bullitt County Detention Center.
Kustes was missing from July 17-30. She said she was held against her will by Roy Vernon Elwell Jr., a 34-year-old registered sex offender.
She said she at first went willingly with Elwell, and they, along with others, partied by using methamphetamine and Xanax. But then she was beaten and not allowed to leave, she said.
Elwell, a person of interest in the case, also was a focus of the search and was arrested Aug. 4 on unrelated charges. He has not been charged in Kustes’ disappearance.
The hunt for Kustes and Elwell garnered national attention including a spot on the website of the TV show “America’s Most Wanted” and coverage by CNN.
Kustes also was in the Bullitt County Sheriff’s Office Tuesday for questioning by the state police about her disappearance, said Sheriff’s Detective Scotty McGaha.
Forestry worker found guilty of kidnap and rape
A Turangi man took a woman into a remote forestry clearing and threatened to kill her before raping her, a jury has found.
Hemi Joseph Apanui, 28, a forestry worker, was found guilty in Rotorua District Court yesterday of threatening to kill, sexual violation by rape, sexual violation by unlawful connection and kidnapping.
After a three-day trial this week, the jury took just over an hour to find him guilty on all charges. Apanui had denied the charges, telling the court during his evidence that the sex had been consensual.
In her evidence the complainant, who had name suppression, said she was offered a ride north from Wellington by Apanui in July last year.
The pair had known each other from a forestry course two years beforehand.
When they reached Lake Taupo, Apanui drove down a remote forestry road, stopped the vehicle and told the woman he was going to kill her.
She broke down as she recounted how Apanui told her in a “calm and collected manner” to stand near a hole where he said he would bury her.
She got down on her knees and begged him not to kill her, she told the court.
He demanded sex over a two-hour period, to which she relented in order to save her life. Apanui then left her in the forest to find her own way out.
She was terrified he would return, and scrambled 16 kilometres through thick bush to State Highway 1, where she waved down a passing motorist.
She was taken home by a friend and the next day made a complaint to police.
Apanui told the court the complainant “came onto him” sexually during the trip. She had methamphetamine, which they shared, and they had consensual sex twice on the journey.
Crown prosecutor Amanda Gordon said the woman’s evidence was consistent with what had happened because “the events had been burnt on to her memory”.
Apanui had not told the truth and his story was manufactured and full of inconsistencies, she said.
He initially denied the incident had happened and then changed his story of the pair having consensual sex after forensic samples were matched to his DNA.
Apanui’s lawyer, Ian Farquhar, said Apanui had been offered sex and drugs by the woman as payment for the ride. “If he wanted to kill her, why did he leave it until he got to Lake Taupo?”
Apanui will be sentenced on October 15.
Two men burned in explosion near Festus, both are critical
A High Ridge man, 28, and a Crystal City man, 31, were in critical condition Wednesday after being burned in a explosion, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said.
The men told authorities it happened about 5 p.m. Tuesday on the High Ridge man’s farm near Festus, the sheriff’s office said.
Hospital staff said the men smelled like chemicals. Authorities would not say if the men were making methamphetamine.
Doc Cobra
Meth Head of the Day 