Multiple agencies investigate trafficking operation; juvenile rescued from home

Three men were arrested on July 30 in a multi-agency raid on a suspected drug trafficking operation south of Purdy.

Dennis McMullen, of Purdy, is charged with first-degree drug trafficking, possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a firearm and endangering the welfare of a child. Ronald Green, of Purdy, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child; and Gregory Shipman, of Shell Knob, was arrested on other outstanding warrants.

According to a press release, the Barry County Sheriff’s Office, Ozark Drug Enforcement Team and the Drug Enforcement Agency served a search warrant at a rural residence south of Purdy a result of a long investigation into a fentanyl and cocaine trafficking operation. McMullen and Green, who have the same home address listed in court records, were arrested at the home, and a juvenile female was rescued from the home and placed in the state’s custody. Shipman, according to Sheriff Danny Boyd, was located in a camper near the residence and arrested on city of Cassville warrants.

Authorities located a firearm and a significant amount of fentanyl and cocaine in the home. Official weights will be released when lab results are completed.

According to a probable cause statement filed by Det. Michael Larery, with the Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team, a large amount of a white powder-like substance was located on the kitchen sink counter, within reach of the juvenile, who was under the age of 13.

Further search revealed an easily accessible Tupperware bowl of candy, which had a plastic baggy with a white powder-like substance mixed in. The baggie was later field-tested and determined to be about 33 grams of cocaine A hard, rock-like substance was also located among the powder-like substance on the counter. Later field-testing showed positive for fentanyl, 9 grams in weight inside the bag it was packaged in.

All substances, as well as numerous plastic baggies and a digital scale, were seized.

Further search of the residence revealed a small Jennings J-22 .22 LR hangun, found in a leather jacket in an upstairs bedroom.

During a post-Miranda interview, McMullen, a convicted felon prohibited from possessing a firearm, allegedly admitted to holding the gun for someone prior to a planned purchase from the individual.

Also in a post-Miranda interview, Green allegedly identified himself as a relative of the juvenile, and he also admitted to knowing there was fentanyl in the residences and where it was located.

Larery’s statement also said Green allegedly admitted to being a habitual cocaine and fentanyl user and had overdosed more than once, requiring Narcan administration to revive hime.

McMullen is being held on no bond. He has appeared and has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Sept. 5 in the courtroom of Judge Robert Foulke.

Green is being held on a $100,000 cash-only bond. He also has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Sept. 5 in the courtroom of Judge Robert Foulke.

Shipman was not charged in relation to the drug bust.