Ozark County Sheriff’s Office Releases April & May Arrest Reports, Adds June Fugitive Arrest
Ozark County, MO – The Ozark County Sheriff’s Office has released its full arrest reports for April and May, alongside a major fugitive apprehension from earlier this month. In their signature style, the department also included several jokes and humorous notes, reminding residents that all humor contained in the report came directly from the Sheriff’s Office.
Among the most serious cases was the May 27 arrest of Buster Michael Ferraro, following a joint investigation into alleged sexual misconduct involving a juvenile. After interviews and a search warrant executed on May 23, Ferraro was arrested and charged with sexual abuse – 1st degree, sexual exploitation of a minor, and furnishing pornographic material to a minor. He is being held without bond.
In April, deputies responded to multiple narcotics-related crimes. On April 18, Troy Santacroce and Bethany Schaefer were arrested in Thornfield after deputies discovered meth, drug paraphernalia, and firearms. On April 26, search warrants were served in both Brixey and Gainesville, leading to arrests of Casey Stover, James Bliss, and Sarah Prewitt for drug and animal neglect charges, after meth, paraphernalia, and poor animal living conditions were discovered.
The most colorful entry—according to the Sheriff’s Office—came from the saga of Brandon Mills, who was arrested twice in April. After being released from jail on March 21, Mills allegedly broke into a vacation cabin in Pontiac, turned it into a dog kennel, and even posted signs claiming ownership. “He even tied a mailbox with his name on it to a tree outside the house just in case someone sent a birthday card,” the Sheriff’s Office joked. Mills was charged with trespassing, burglary, property damage, and animal neglect.
Just days later, Mills was spotted again during a separate investigation. After a failed attempt to evade deputies, Mills was arrested again—this time with the assistance of several officers, after a short standoff and a backyard foot chase. His housemate, Paul Henderson, was also arrested for hindering prosecution and resisting arrest after attempting to interfere with the operation.
Other April arrests included:
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Amy Dunn-Trout, charged with child abuse after allegedly shooting two children with a BB gun as punishment.
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Patrick Vanassche, arrested in Gainesville for driving on a revoked license and drug possession.
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Barbra Coffel and Sasha Teague, arrested during a burglary investigation in Zanoni; drugs were found at the scene.
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George Meadows, arrested for felony driving while revoked.
In May, additional arrests included:
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Danny Tyler Phipps, picked up on felony warrants out of Howell County.
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Brian Mottus, found hiding in a shower after his girlfriend told deputies he wasn’t home. The Sheriff’s Office quipped: “He must’ve been hiding from his girlfriend, too.”
On June 9, the Ozark County Sheriff’s Office, alongside Howell County SWAT, U.S. Marshals, MSHP, and the Operation Relentless Pursuit Task Force, executed a high-risk search and arrest warrant in Theodosia. Federal fugitive Joshua Cook barricaded himself and threatened officers, but surrendered peacefully after negotiations. He was arrested on his federal warrant and faces local charges for firearm possession and resisting arrest. Additional arrests included:
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Shane Cook, for weapons and narcotics charges.
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Eric McCrackin, for meth possession.
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Seized evidence: 11 firearms, meth, and drug paraphernalia.
The Sheriff’s Office ended the post saying, “If you read this out loud with a deep voice while listening to ‘Bad Boys’ by Inner Circle in the background, you’ll thank us later.”
To see video evidence related to ongoing cases, visit the Ozark County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
