Breaking News: Wanted sex offender from St. Clair County dies in Florida while in police custody

Dennis Palmer

Sheriff Keeler said on Monday, March 21, information was received Dennis Palmer, 66, Lowry City, died in the early morning hours while in custody in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Mr. Palmer was found deceased during medication rounds. Cause of death is unknown at this time.

On March 19, Palmer was arrested by police in Fort Lauderdale. He was wanted on a St. Clair County warrant charging him with seven felony sex crimes involving a child.

The charges stemmed from an investigation that started in August 2014 after a hotline call to Missouri Department of Social Services Children’s Division was made concerning several alleged incidents that occurred between December 2012 and June 2013 when a child was staying at Palmer’s residence.

The Missouri State Technical Assistance Team and the Clinton Police Department assisted the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office with the investigation.