From the Howell County Sheriff’s Department:
The Howell County Sheriff’s Office announces the successful apprehension of a wanted fugitive following a well-being check in the Pomona area on November 18, 2025.
At approximately 5000 County Road 4190, deputies responded to a call for service after a citizen reported a male walking along the roadway without a shirt or shoes and appearing disoriented. As deputies were en route, the individual reportedly ran into a wooded area upon hearing law enforcement approaching.
Deputy Kory M. Taylor made contact with the reporting party, who provided a description of the man. The description matched that of an individual who had earlier fled from a Missouri State Highway Patrol traffic stop. Deputies immediately initiated a search of the surrounding wooded area but were initially unable to locate the suspect.
Deputy Paden Turnbull arrived with a drone and quickly identified what appeared to be a person lying on the ground in the dense woods. Guided by the drone’s location tracking, Deputy Taylor, Deputy Avery Stolba, Deputy Michael Pauly, Corporal Travis Weaver, and K9 Ares entered the wooded area and conducted callouts. The suspect eventually revealed his location and was taken into custody without incident.
Initially communicating only through written notes, the individual identified himself as “Lee Strom.” Deputies confirmed the suspect’s true identity as Levi Strom, of Licking, Missouri, through a Department of Revenue photograph. A subsequent records check showed that Strom had an active burglary warrant out of Texas County and was also wanted on a 24-hour hold for the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Strom was transported to the Howell County Adult Detention Center, where he was booked on the Texas County warrant and held pending additional charges. Note: A charge is merely an accusation the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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