Ozark County Sheriff’s Office Special Enforcement Team (S.E.T.) deputies seized a significant quantity of methamphetamine and related evidence during the execution of a search warrant on December 19, 2025, at a residence in Theodosia.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the warrant followed several weeks of surveillance and a traffic stop conducted by Deputy Sherman. During that stop, a female suspect, identified as Vanessa Donley, was found in possession of approximately 20 grams of a substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine shortly after leaving the residence.
While deputies secured the property prior to the warrant being signed, a neighbor associated with the occupants arrived and was detained. Investigators reported that the neighbor stated she was checking on the residence at the request of Gary Donley, who contacted her multiple times during the detention. Deputies believed this indicated Donley may have been aware of the earlier arrest.
Gary Donley later arrived at the residence and was detained. A K9 unit conducted a free-air sniff of his vehicle, alerting to the presence of narcotics. A search of the vehicle revealed approximately four ounces of methamphetamine packaged in multiple baggies in the truck bed, along with a methamphetamine pipe and $1,416 in cash.
Donley was arrested and advised of his Miranda rights, which he waived. Authorities say he admitted purchasing the drugs in Springfield and confirmed that he and Vanessa Donley were the only residents of the home.
A subsequent search of the residence uncovered additional methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, digital scales, packaging materials, cash, and a bolt-action .308 rifle. Investigators stated that the quantity of drugs, combined with the presence of scales and cash, indicated distribution rather than personal use.
In total, approximately 170 grams of methamphetamine were recovered between the traffic stop, vehicle search, and residence. Deputies also seized approximately $1,762 in cash, multiple items of drug paraphernalia, two cell phones, and the firearm.
The Sheriff’s Office noted that Gary Donley has multiple prior felony convictions, including narcotics, stealing, and forgery offenses, which may result in enhanced charges. He is also prohibited from possessing firearms under Missouri law.
Vanessa Donley was not present during the execution of the search warrant but remains implicated based on evidence obtained during the investigation.
