Three arrested in Bates County after search warrant served

Leon D Berry

On 3/1/2017, the Bates County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at 114 S Fulton Street Butler Mo 64730. 

The search warrant was in connection to a multiple month long investigation between Bates County Detectives and Taskforce Agents from the CNET Drug Taskforce. 

Victor Recinos

Two separate investigations began to merge into one early on in the investigation. 

Phillip W Thornburg

Multiple complaints were received and information was developed in regards to drug activity at 114 S Fulton in Butler. On a separate investigation information was received about drug activity at multiple locations in Rich Hill that were owned by the same person.

Approximately a month ago at a monthly round table meeting CNET Agents working with area agencies like Butler Police Department, Bates County Sheriff Office and Rich Hill Police Department were able to connect the two investigations with shared information. This information assisted in obtaining a search warrant for 114 S Fulton Butler Missouri.

As the members of the Bates County Sheriff’s Office executed the search warrant two male subjects were at the kitchen table in the middle of a drug transaction. Both males were taken into custody at the scene. 

One male subject was transported to the hospital with minor injuries and the other male was taken to the Bates County Sheriff’s Office. The resident of 114 S Fulton was identified as Phillip W Thornburg W/M 8/25/1961. The other male subject identified as Leon D Berry W/M 9/7/1964.

At approximately 130pm surveillance teams followed Berry from Rich Hill to the house in Butler. After Berry had been at the house for a short time Deputies executed the search warrant at the house. The long term investigation led Detectives to believe that Thornburg had been

Bates County Sheriff’s Office Chad Anderson, Sheriff 6 West Ft. Scott Street Butler, Mo 64730 Phone 660-679-3232 Fax 660-679-4147

purchasing and selling Methamphetamines at his house in Butler. The investigators were able to develop information that over the last several months Berry had been delivering methamphetamines to Thornburg in Butler.

During the search of the residence multiple bags of methamphetamines were seized along with digital scales, glass pipes and a small amount of cash and a counterfeit $100 bill.

After Detectives completed a search of the residence at 114 S Fulton Butler, they responded to the residence of Leon Berry located at 805 East Walnut Rich Hill Missouri. A consent search of that residence located a small bag of methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. One subject was arrested on an outstanding warrant for possession of a controlled substance. A second location, a shop owned by Berry located at 6th and Maple Street was also searched by Detectives.

Phillip W Thornburg was charged with Possession of a Controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, bond was set at $10,000 cash or surety.

Leon D. Berry was charged with Distribution of a controlled substance in a protected location, Possession of a controlled substance, Unlawful use of drug paraphernalia and forgery, bond was set at $50,000 cash or surety.

Victor Recinos was arrested on an outstanding warrant for possession of a controlled substance with a bond of $10,000. 

Additional charges may be filed at a later date as the investigation is ongoing. 

“This was a team effort, says Sheriff Chad Anderson. Calls from citizens and multiple agencies getting together to share information led to a successful investigation. Law Enforcement from this community is committed to working together to protecting our citizens.”