A routine traffic stop in Peace Valley on December 18 resulted in the arrest of a man accused of possessing methamphetamine, illegally handling a firearm, and resisting arrest.
According to the Howell County Sheriff’s Office, the stop occurred around 7 p.m. on County Road 1940 after a deputy observed a vehicle failing to maintain the right half of the roadway. The driver, identified as Elijah Patterson, was unable to provide proof of insurance. While he attempted to obtain the information by phone, a K9 unit conducted a free‑air sniff and alerted to the presence of narcotics.
When informed of the alert, Patterson reportedly told the deputy there was a firearm in the vehicle and that he was a convicted felon. Deputies say Patterson became hostile, refused commands, and attempted to flee on foot. A Taser was deployed once, stopping his flight, and he was taken into custody. He was advised of his Miranda rights at the scene and acknowledged understanding them.
A search of the vehicle uncovered a glass pipe with residue that field‑tested positive for methamphetamine, along with a loaded Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm handgun and an additional loaded magazine. Deputies also located a black zippered case along the roadway near a low‑water crossing where Patterson’s truck had previously been seen stopped. The case contained multiple individually packaged quantities of a white crystalline substance and another smoking device.
At the Sheriff’s Office, Patterson participated in two post‑Miranda interviews. Investigators say he admitted his fingerprints would be on the firearm and ammunition and acknowledged ownership of the case found along the roadway. He also reportedly admitted to selling methamphetamine and using it himself.
Field testing indicated approximately 17 grams of suspected methamphetamine packaged in separate amounts of 3.3 grams, 4.6 grams, and 8.8 grams. The substance will be submitted to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Crime Lab for official analysis.
Patterson is facing charges of delivery of a controlled substance and resisting or interfering with arrest.
