A West Plains man wanted in Fulton County for allegedly raping and sexually assaulting a 14-year-old female was arrested Thursday by the West Plains Police Department after being barricaded in his residence for multiple hours. Thirty-eight-year-old James Michael Meese, facing a total of five felony charges in connection with the Fulton County case, is being held in the Howell County Adult Detention Center pending additional charges for fugitive out of state and resisting arrest for a felony.
West Plains Police Chief Stephen Monticelli says officers obtained intelligence Thursday of the male subject wanted in Fulton County being a resident of the city. That evening, they responded to residence in the 500 block of Tiffany Street to locate the male, identified as Meese.
Upon arrival, officers reportedly observed Meese fleeing into the residence to barricade himself. The department’s strategic response team responded to secure the residence, and the crisis negotiations team attempted to negotiate with Meese as he refused to exit his home.
Less-lethal munitions were later deployed by officers, and the strategic response team members eventually entered the residence and located Meese. He was taken into custody without further incident.
According to the probable cause affidavit, from the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, the victim told investigators she and a friend of hers first met Meese two years ago when they wanted to smoke marijuana. Meese met them, they smoked, and he then took them home. Meese and the victim became friends on Snapchat.
The victim said they continued to meet up, but the relationship became sexual, and she complied out of fear of being hurt. On one occasion, the victim mentioned talking to the police because it wasn’t right, and Meese said if she ruins his and his daughter’s life, he would kill her, or if he couldn’t, he would find someone to kill her.
On Sept. 5, the victim met Meese one last time to end the relationship. That is when the alleged rape occurred.
Meese is facing one count of rape, three counts of fourth-degree sexual assault and one count of first-degree terroristic threatening. His bond will be set at $300,000 once he is transferred to Fulton County.
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