2 weeks Ago By Lisa Brotherton-Barnes
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above. ← Back “Warrant Wednesday” is the newest initiative launched by the sheriff, who emphasized community safety, technological improvements, and staff development as key priorities for his administration during his bid for office.
Area Facebook users have responded enthusiastically to the sheriff’s weekly Wednesday posts, highlighting a photo and information about a person with open warrants who remains at large. Citizens are encouraged to be aware of their fugitive status and are asked to contact authorities with information that could lead to the person’s arrest. Recent successes The first post was made on March 26 regarding 41-year-old Jesse Ray Rector, who had warrants for being a sex offender physically present or loitering within 500 feet of a park with a playground, pool, or museum and for driving while revoked or suspended, both class E felonies.
Within a short time that same day, Crites updated his post announcing Rector’s capture and expressing his appreciation to the Ste. Genevieve County Sheriff’s Department for their quick apprehension. He also thanked everyone who shared the Facebook post and helped spread the word about Rector’s fugitive status.
Hawk-eyed citizens were relentless on April 9, and three posts were made with subsequent updates sharing that all three fugitives had been taken into custody. Michael A. Strnad, 36, of Park Hills, was wanted for first-degree drug trafficking, leaving the scene of an accident, and had outstanding warrants with multiple other agencies.
He was located and arrested about 15 minutes after the Facebook post hit the internet. His photo with the sheriff in an updated post announcing his capture quickly prompted a Facebook user to humorously quip that the prize for being a Warrant Wednesday apprehension is a “Selfie with the Sheriff.” Challenged by citizens to continue their success, a second post featured 39-year-old Jordy W.
Hamelback, who was wanted for felony possession of a controlled substance. A quick update shared that the Potosi Police Department had arrested him on April 8. The third post for the day featured 54-year-old wanted felon Homer M.
Nephew, known to frequent the Bonne Terre area. About five hours later, Sheriff Crites shared, “At around 8:00 PM tonight, St. Francois County Deputies received information about Mr.
Nephew’s whereabouts in the Bonne Terre area. Due to Mr. Nephew’s resistance while being taken into custody, a K9 unit was deployed, successfully leading to his apprehension.
Mr. Nephew was transferred to the St. Francois County Detention Center following a medical evaluation.
Kudos to the St. Francois County Deputies for their dedication and persistence in apprehending this wanted felon!” Citizens should visit the Facebook page “Jeff Crites, Saint Francois County Sheriff” for the latest information from the department on important county law enforcement news and updates on fugitives featured on Warrant Wednesdays. Lisa Brotherton-Barnes is a Daily Journal and Farmington Press staff writer.
She can be reached at [email protected]..
