Camdenton, MO - 02-04-25 - Sheriff Chris Edgar is proud to announce several successful narcotics investigations during the first several weeks of his administration. Throughout the month, Camden County Deputies in coordination with Task Force Officers from the Mid Missouri Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force arrested numerous people in possession of narcotics including methamphetamines, unlawfully possessed controlled substance prescription pills, and numerous examples of drug paraphernalia. In addition to those arrests, deputies also conducted several narcotics investigations with MIDMO throughout the county with many of those investigations crossing into neighboring counties. Each TFO with MIDMO is also a sworn deputy sheriff with Camden County.

On January 17th, Deputies conducted an investigation in the 6700 block of Viking Trail in Osage Beach. There they seized 42 grams of methamphetamine, ten prescription pills, a handgun, and multiple items of drug paraphernalia. Fifty-nine-year-old Leslie M Chamberlin was arrested and charged with the Class C Felony of 2nd Degree Drug Trafficking and the Class E Felony of Unlawful Use of a Weapon. Chamberlin later posted a $50,000 bond and will appear before the court in February.

On January 31st, Deputies completed a month-long investigation targeting two drug traffickers frequenting Camden, Cole, and Pulaski Counties. MIDMO TFOs enlisted the assistance of the MUSTANG Drug Task Force to intercept 51-year-old Robert E Smith, of Camdenton, while driving on US 54 near Jefferson City. MUSTANG TFOs seized 202 grams of methamphetamine, two handguns, and $5,700 in cash. Smith was arrested and later charged with the Class B Felony of 1st Degree Drug Trafficking, two counts of the Class E Felony of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, and Felony Armed Criminal Action. He is being held without bond. During this investigation, authorities also arrested 20-year-old Randi J Ciauarella. He is charged with the Class B Felony of 1st Degree Drug Trafficking and is being held without bond.

On February 1st, MIDMO TFOs requested help from the LANEG task force and Pulaski County Deputies to apprehend 48-year-old Joel M Bollinger, of Richland, while driving on Interstate 44 near Buckhorn. During a search of Bollinger's vehicle investigators seized approximately 4.5 pounds of methamphetamine. Bollinger was arrested and charged with the Class B Felony of 1st Degree Drug Trafficking and is being held on a $250,000 bond.

On February 1st, Deputies conducted a traffic stop in the Osage Beach area and during the stop MIDMO K9 Tina alerted to the odor of a controlled substance during a free air sniff. Deputies then located approximately 15 grams of methamphetamine in the vehicle. Sixty-three-year-old Dawn M Roe, of Brumley, was arrested and later charged with the Class D Felony of Possession of a Controlled Substance with a $25,000 bond. She will appear before the court in March.

These arrests and ultimately their prosecutions are examples of what is possible through interagency investigations and multi-jurisdictional cooperation. Our agency is excited for the future of these types of investigations and helping to eliminate drug traffickers in our area.

A reminder that these charges are merely allegations of wrongdoing. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

• -Sheriff Chris Edgar