The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office has had a busy week, according to press releases issued by Sheriff Steve Pelton. 

On Thursday, April 4, his office was contacted by a female who had an order of protection against her husband. The victim told deputies that she was contacted on Facebook by him and provided screen shots to prove her claim. The man was contacted but denied the allegations. The following day, another female, who also had an order of protection against the man, reported text messages from the suspect. This was also a violation of the order. The same female contacted authorities on Sunday, to report more text messages. This time she also said the man was trying to gain access to her social media accounts. 

Deputies again contacted the man and this time took him into custody. Dakota G. Durbin , 25, from Pacific, was charged with felony harassment. His bond was set at $15,000.

On Sunday, April 7, a deputies received reports of a man screaming for help in the area of Highway AJ. Deputies responded to the scene  and located the male in distress. He told deputies he and his girlfriend were traveling on Highway AJ when  they began arguing over state of intoxication. The man pulled the emergency brake, stopping the vehicle. The woman then began striking him in the face repeatedly. She then got out of the vehicle, came around to the passenger’s side of the vehicle, pulled him out and left him on the side of the road. 

Deputies located the woman a short time later at a gas station in Union. The suspect admitted to the assault as well as having a young child sleeping in the back passenger seat. 

Ashley R. Ambrecht, 34, of St. Louis was charged with second-degree domestic assault and endangering the welfare of a child.  Her bond was set at $15,000. Additional charges of driving while intoxicated are being reviewed by the Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. 

Perry J. Crawford, 28, of St. Clair called 911 on Friday, April 5, to report his vehicle was on fire in the 3000 block of Aitch Road, Union.  Deputies responded to assist the fire department with the call. Crawford told them he got stuck in the mud and his vehicle caught on fire. A fireman showed the  deputy a pile of tools located approximately 10 years from the burnt vehicle. While checking the tools, they received a report of a burglary that had just been reported on Highway AH, close to their location. The victim of the burglary gave a description of the missing items which matched the items found near the vehicle. 

Crawford claimed to have no knowledge of the tools, but one of the boxes that contained the tools had been melted from the vehicle fire. More identifiable tools were located on his person. He was arrested and charged with second degree burglary. A $50,000 cash only bond was issued. 

Also on Friday, April 5, deputies were dispatched to the 1900 block of Big Valley Subdivision in Union for a violation of a court order in progress. The victim, who was not home at the time, received a call that the male subject against whom she had a restraining order, was at her home. When deputies arrived the discovered Justin L. Sullenger, 34, from St. Clair exiting the home carrying some items. 

It was confirmed the order of protection was active and stated Sullenger was not to be on the property. As he was taken into custody, deputies discovered he was in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was charged with violation of a court order and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bond was set at $15,000 cash only. 

Later that same afternoon, deputies responded to the 2000 block of Barton Road in St. Clair for a report of a domestic disturbance between a father and his adult daughter. The daughter stated her father was shouting at her and put his hands around her neck. The father denied the allegations, but witnesses collaborated the woman’s story. Randy G. Dunn, 51, of St. Clair was charged with third degree domestic assault. A cash only bond of $7,500 was set.