October 8, 2019
By: Dwayne Page
A woman caught driving erratically by a county deputy last week also had a variety of drugs and paraphernalia
42 year old Stephanie Lee Vanatta of Blue Springs Road, Smithville is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver; sale and delivery of schedule I, IV & VI drugs, driving under the influence, and failure to appear. Her bond totals $83,500 and she will be in court on these charges October 17.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Thursday, October 3 a deputy was patrolling on Keltonburg Road when he noticed a car failing to maintain its lane of travel. He pulled it over and spoke with the driver, Vanatta and learned that she has active warrants against her. Vanatta told the officer that she was on probation. Her driver license is also suspended. The officer observed that Vanatta was unsteady on her feet and she admitted to having taken methamphetamine earlier in the day. Vanatta submitted to field sobriety tasks but performed poorly. Although she agreed to give blood for a test, a search warrant was secured for a blood sample
During a search of Vanatta’s vehicle, the officer found three baggies with a total of 15 xanax pills, four baggies of a crystal like substance believed to be methamphetamine totaling 1.40 ounces, 0.4 grams of a powdery substance thought to be heroin wrapped in tin foil, five bags of marijuana totaling 11 grams, along with drug paraphernalia including scales, extra baggies, and cash
Vanatta had failed to appear in General Sessions Court on September 26 for previous charges of possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a prohibited weapon and another failure to appear charge.
47 year old Mark Anthony Mason, Jr. of Dearman Street, Smithville is charged with driving under the influence. He was also cited for violation of the open container law. His bond is $2,500 and he will be in court October 17.
Sheriff Ray said that on Thursday, October 3 a deputy and Smithville Police Officer spotted a gray Dodge pickup truck on Midway Road matching the description of vehicle given by a complainant concerning a reckless driver. Officers pulled over the truck and spoke with the driver, Mason. He had a strong odor of alcohol on him and he was unsteady on his feet. His speech was also slurred. Mason submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. He admitted to having consumed Vodka while driving and an open container of Vodka was found in the truck.
27 year old Richard James Horst of Edgewood Street, Alexandria is charged with driving under the influence. He was also cited for violation of the light law. His bond is $2,500 and he will make a court appearance October 17.
Sheriff Ray said that on Friday, October 4 a deputy spotted a black BMW SUV traveling north on Brush Creek Highway with a passenger side headlight out. He pulled over the vehicle and spoke with the driver, Horst. He had a strong odor of alcohol on him. Horst’s speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his feet. He submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks.