OZARK COUNTY, MISSOURI- Just one week after the execution of a search warrant by The Ozark County Sherriff’s Department; A small home located on County Road 609 in the small, close-knit community of Pontiac is now ashes despite multiple Volunteer Fire Department’s best efforts.
The first warrant was executed at the home on July 12th. The home was occupied by Pontiac resident, Paul Henderson, his girlfriend Pam Marler, & Marler’s son, Josh Marler, an additional friend of Marler’s, Lisa-Cobbs Espinoza, and Marler’s nephew Brandon Mills, who had an active warrant filed against him.
The warrant entailed the following: “Controlled substances including but not limited to methamphetamine, paraphernalia related to the use, preparation, manufacture, and distribution of controlled substances…”
It was also noted as the warrant pertained to Mills, by this point Mills was considered a fugitive as the warrant had been issued July 7th and July 9th.
Contents seized by the deputies during the warrant included
- *Primarily A baggie with 1.2 grams of a crystal-like substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine.
- Also; deputies found residue from the same crystal-like substance on a storage container, three glass pipes, a scale beside a bedside table drawer, four broken pipes, one clear pen, one straw, three needles, a package of ziploc baggies, and cellular devices of all of the house’s occupants.
There are four defendants charged including all occupants of the house and one additional defendant by the name of Lonnie Strauser who is charged with a felony of delivering a controlled substance. With the exception of Strauser, all defendants are charged with Possession of a controlled substance as well as endangering the welfare of a child.
Additionally, defendant Paul Henderson was charged with The Misdemeanor of unlawful possession of a controlled substance.
A day before the fire; A warrant was served by deputies, allowing the search of all defendants’ cellular devices.
On the day of the fire; A neighbor identified as Pontiac resident Lisa Stewart called 911, reporting a fire at the cabin at 12:18 AM on Saturday, July 19th.
According to Ozark County Sherrif, Cass Martin; Paul Henderson, Pam Marler, and Brandon Mills all remain in jail and that The Ozark County Sherrif’s Department gas reached out to the Red Cross who will provide aid to them when released.
