At approximately 10:35 a.m. Friday, a Missouri State Highway Patrol officer observed a silver and gray 1991 Chevrolet 1500 traveling westbound on U.S. 160 near State Route 101. The vehicle’s occupants displayed unusual behavior, prompting the officer to run the registration through MULES. The check revealed the registered owner’s driving status was revoked, and the driver matched the Department of Revenue’s photo.
A traffic stop was initiated on State Route 101 in Ozark County. The driver was identified as Scott Wayland Gunter, who is listed as a registered sex offender. Further investigation determined Gunter had failed to register a cell phone number as required. He admitted to owning and using the phone for about a month.
At 11:19 a.m., Gunter was taken into custody. He was transported to the Howell County Jail and placed on a 24‑hour hold.
Gunter faces charges of:
- Felony failure to register as a sex offender
- Driving while revoked, 2nd or 3rd subsequent offense
- No seatbelt
Formal charges are pending review by the prosecuting attorney’s office.
