Photos: James E. “Rusty” Frye and Laura Bengston
A Douglas County man is facing felony drug charges and is incarcerated on a no-bond hold until his court appearance. Online court documents indicate 56-year-old James E. “Rusty” Frye of Squires is considered a flight risk.
Douglas County Sheriff Chris Degase says Frye and a passenger in his vehicle, 29-year-old Laura Bengston of Ava, were taken into custody in the early morning hours Saturday following a traffic stop in Ava.
Sheriff Degase says a member of his department was observing traffic on West Missouri 14 Highway when Frye’s vehicle passed his location.
The officer noticed Bengston and was aware she had multiple warrants for her arrest.
When the traffic stop was made near Walmart as the vehicle pulled into the parking lot, Bengston exited the vehicle and attempted to walk off, at which time she was taken into custody. Located on her person were two containers of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
A search was conducted on the vehicle where various drug paraphernalia items were found, along with a brown substance field testing positive for heroin.
A glasses case was found on the ground a few feet from the driver’s door that was not there upon initial observation and appeared to have been thrown out of the vehicle. Inside the case were several baggies containing methamphetamine divided for sale, as well as a large bag containing approximately 14 grams of the illegal substance.
Also seized from Frye was over $5,000 in cash.
Frye is charged with
– Delivery of a controlled substance, methamphetamine; Class C felony
– Possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine; Class D felony
– Possession of a controlled substance, heroin Class D Felony
Frye is on felony probation for possession of a controlled substance on a case investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in 2016. He was sentenced to the Missouri Department of Corrections (DOC) for 15 years; however, the sentence was suspended upon successful completion of a 120-day shock DOCC incarceration. Frye was then released on probation where Sheriff Degase says he has not exhibited the behavior of a model probationer since his probation assignment.
Bengston is charged with
– Delivery of a controlled substance, methamphetamine; Class C felony
– Possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine; Class D felony
– Possession of a controlled substance, heroin; Class D felony
Bengston had previous outstanding warrants for probation violations for
– Warrant #1: 2017 case for probation violation for delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance
– Warrant #2: 2018 case for probation violation for possession of a controlled substance
Online court documents indicate Bengston’s bond was set at $15,000.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI