Full Notification

According to Sheriff Rick Walter, an Oran man is in custody following a narcotic investigation Tuesday morning.

James Willard Whorton of Oran has been charged with the class C felony for Possession of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine), and the class A misdemeanor for Unlawful use of Drug Paraphernalia.
Sheriff Walter stated that his office was notified of possible drug activity at Whorton’s residence and began to investigate the matter. Walter states that he responded to Whorton’s residence along with Sgt. Caid and Sr. Deputy Scroggins to discuss the complaints. Walter said while speaking with Whorton, Investigators observed two pipes sitting on a shelf in the living room where Whorton had been sleeping. The pipes contained a white powdery substance believed to be methamphetamine. The Sheriff states that Investigators asked Whorton for consent to search his residence and that Whorton agreed. Located during the search was a crystal substance in a small plastic baggie, Hydrocodone tablets inside a non-prescription container, baggies that had the corners removed, and several other items taken as drug paraphernalia. Walter states that the substances were field tested and gave a positive result for the presence of methamphetamine. When asked about the items found, Whorton stated that he had been given the methamphetamine from an unknown person on the street. Whorton remains in custody with bond set at $25,000.00 cash or surety.

Sheriff Walter stated that his office has seen a drastic rise in citizen-based tips over the past few weeks. It is clear that the citizens are tired of this stuff coming into our county, harming our kids and destroying families. Walter says his website and tip line are available 24/7 and all tips are assigned to detectives for further investigation. “We cannot do it alone; it takes the communities and law enforcement teaming up to make the kind of changes I would like to see happen.”

Sheriff Walter would like to thank the prosecuting attorney for all the assistance they provide to his staff daily and to the dozens of citizens who have submitted tips. Those tips are appreciated and are being looked into even when it doesn’t seem to be, “sometimes it does take time to build a case in order to get grounds for warrants, I encourage anyone that has contacted my office to follow up as much as they like to keep up with the progress of the investigation”.
The website for submitting an anonymous tip is http://www.scottcountymo.com/crime-tips.php and the phone number for the tip line is 1-800-210-4322. All calls and online tips CAN AND WILL be kept anonymous.