BONNOTS MILL — Three people face criminal charges after authorities reported finding approximately 345 grams of suspected methamphetamine, a firearm, ammunition, and drug paraphernalia during a search Thursday, Oct. 29, at a residence along Highway A outside Bonnots Mill.

Charles Wayne Boelkes Jr., 54, Mary Beth Linn, and Steven George Hagan, 44, all of Bonnots Mill, were taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Detention Center without incident, according to the Osage County Sheriff’s Office. Prosecuting Attorney Amanda Grellner filed charges against all three Friday, Oct. 30.

Boelkes is charged with first-degree drug trafficking, a class A felony; unlawful possession of a firearm, a class B felony; delivery of a controlled substance, a class C felony; unlawful use of a weapon, a class E felony; and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, a class D misdemeanor.

Linn is charged with first-degree drug trafficking, a class A felony; delivery of a controlled substance, a class C felony; possession of a controlled substance, a class D felony; unlawful use of a weapon, a class E felony; and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, a class D misdemeanor.

Hagan is charged with possession of a controlled substance, a class D felony, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, a class D misdemeanor.

Judge Sonya Day Brandt ordered Boelkes and Linn detained without bond. According to the probable cause statements, both were already on bond following Oct. 19 arrests in Cole County—Boelkes for second-degree drug trafficking and Linn for possession of a controlled substance. Their initial appearances are scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, in Osage County.

Hagan’s bond was set at $20,000 cash or surety. Conditions prohibit him from contacting the other defendants or possessing firearms, ammunition, explosive devices, or other deadly weapons. He must surrender all weapons to the sheriff’s office within 24 hours of release and obtain and maintain employment.

The sheriff’s office, in coordination with the Mid-Missouri Drug Task Force, Mustang Drug Task Force, and Missouri State Highway Patrol, executed the search warrant at approximately 10:30 p.m. at 2163 Highway A.

According to probable cause statements filed by Detective C. Sarabia, a confidential informant identified a red GMC Acadia operated by Boelkes. Another confidential informant told investigators Boelkes traveled to St. Louis to purchase methamphetamine for distribution in Osage County. Sarabia reported using Flock license plate reader cameras to observe the Acadia travel to St. Louis Oct. 29.

Detectives conducting surveillance before executing the warrant later saw the vehicle enter the property’s driveway and continue toward the residence. They followed the Acadia and observed a man matching Boelkes’ description get out and enter the home. Detectives reported seeing no other person occupying or exiting the vehicle.

Officers contacted Linn at the front door and took her into custody. She told detectives Boelkes, her boyfriend, had just entered the residence. Boelkes was subsequently located in a downstairs bedroom and taken into custody. Hagan was found in an upstairs bedroom.

All three were provided copies of the search warrant and advised of their Miranda rights, which they said they understood, according to the statements.

Linn told investigators she had been asleep until Boelkes awakened her moments before officers arrived, saying he believed police were outside and asking her to check.

During the search, Sarabia reported finding a plastic bag containing approximately 339 grams of a white crystalline substance in a void behind the Acadia’s glovebox. The substance tested positive for methamphetamine using a TRUNARC Thermo Scientific Laser.

Inside the downstairs bedroom, investigators found an H&R Model 900 .22-caliber pistol, 62 rounds of ammunition, digital scales containing a white crystalline substance, unused zip-lock bags, and a tin can containing a white crystalline substance.

A zip-lock bag containing approximately 5.5 grams of a brown crystalline substance was found in the living room. Sarabia reported that substance also tested positive for methamphetamine using the laser device.

Investigators additionally found used zip-lock bags containing white crystalline residue, smoking devices, and containers holding visible amounts of a white crystalline substance throughout the living room and kitchen.

During his interview at the residence, Boelkes acknowledged possessing methamphetamine and methamphetamine paraphernalia inside the home. He denied possessing methamphetamine in the Acadia or traveling to St. Louis to purchase it.

Later, at the sheriff’s department, Sarabia asked Boelkes why he was selling methamphetamine. According to the statement, Boelkes said he was doing so because he had lost a substantial amount of money in 2019. He would not elaborate and said he would not answer further questions unless doing so would “benefit” him.

Linn also acknowledged possessing methamphetamine and paraphernalia inside the residence. She told investigators she was involved in distributing methamphetamine and knew Boelkes had just returned from a trip to St. Louis to purchase at least one pound for them to distribute together, according to her probable cause statement. During a second interview at the home, she said she possessed methamphetamine in a small tin container inside her black purse in the bedroom.

Linn also told investigators the firearm was in a black bag inside the bedroom closet and that Boelkes had purchased it on her behalf approximately one week earlier. During a later interview, she said she had given him $250 to purchase it for her protection.

At the sheriff’s department, Linn confirmed the information she had provided at the residence and described their alleged methamphetamine purchases and sales. According to Sarabia, Linn said she and Boelkes had been selling methamphetamine together for at least two months and had purchased at least 2.5 pounds during three prior trips to St. Louis within the past two months.

She said she, Boelkes, and another individual would purchase a pound for approximately $1,000. She and Boelkes would then sell an eighth of an ounce for approximately $50–$60 and an ounce for approximately $375.

Linn told investigators she personally sold methamphetamine to two individuals, while Boelkes sold to at least four.

She also described selling methamphetamine to raise money for Boelkes’ bond following their Oct. 19 arrests in Cole County. Linn said she bonded out after being arrested for possession of methamphetamine, while Boelkes remained jailed on a second-degree drug trafficking charge because he could not make bail.

According to the statement, Linn said they had approximately three ounces of methamphetamine at the residence at that time. She raised her prices and sold two ounces for $400 per ounce and another 17.5 grams for $275, then used the proceeds to bond Boelkes out of jail.

After his release, she said, they began collecting money from individuals to purchase the methamphetamine seized during the Oct. 29 search.

The probable cause statements report Boelkes and Linn were on bond for their respective Cole County cases when the search occurred. Boelkes’ unlawful possession of a firearm charge also cites a February 2021 federal conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Hagan denied using methamphetamine but told investigators he knew his two roommates used and distributed it. He also said he had recently observed them consuming methamphetamine inside the residence.

Sarabia alleged Hagan constructively possessed the methamphetamine and paraphernalia found in the living room and kitchen, citing Hagan’s statements about his knowledge of his roommates’ activities and the presence of the items in common areas of the home.

The sheriff thanked the Mid-Missouri Drug Task Force, Mustang Drug Task Force, and Missouri State Highway Patrol for their assistance and cooperation. “I want to recognize the hard work and dedication of our deputies and the agents with the Mid-Missouri Drug Task Force who continue to work tirelessly to combat illegal narcotics in our communities. These investigations take time, commitment, and teamwork. Our goal remains to remove dangerous drugs from our streets and hold those responsible accountable. I appreciate the continued efforts and partnerships of everyone involved in keeping Osage County a safer place for our citizens,” Sheriff Michael Bonham said.

The investigation remains ongoing. All charges are accusations, and all individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.