Five Arrested in Pettis County Drug Bust: Meth, Fentanyl Seized


Last Updated On: October 11, 2024

In a dramatic turn of events, five individuals were arrested in Pettis County following a drug raid that unearthed a significant stash of methamphetamine and fentanyl.

The Mid-Missouri Drug Task Force executed a search warrant on September 23 at a home on Maltsbarger Road, Sedalia, leading to the arrests.

Sheriff Brad Anders confirmed the operation, noting that law enforcement entered the home of Tony Meyer, 52, and Samantha Batzel, 37, early Monday morning.

Deputies discovered two young children, under the age of 11, present during the raid, heightening concerns about the safety of minors exposed to this environment.

Meyer, found in the back bedroom, was arrested after asking for a pair of red shorts from the bedroom.

Ironically, it was in those very shorts that officers uncovered 3.3 grams of meth mixed with fentanyl, along with drug paraphernalia and $646.

As the search continued, deputies stumbled upon more disturbing finds, including a stash of Suboxone pills, psilocybin mushrooms, and nearly 19 grams of methamphetamine hidden in various parts of the home.

Meyer admitted to purchasing an ounce of meth every three days since his release from jail earlier this year.

In stark contrast, Batzel claimed innocence, insisting she didn’t live at the residence.

However, deputies found male and female belongings scattered throughout the home, adding a layer of complexity to her claims.

Among the others arrested was Mark Pate, 63, who was found with 1.6 grams of fentanyl in his pocket.

Chrystal Streb, 43, was taken into custody in a trailer at the back of the property. Streb, like others before her, downplayed her involvement, claiming the methamphetamine found on her person was strictly for personal use.

The legal owner of the property, 71-year-old Mildred Hontz, was also arrested.

Though Hontz denied any knowledge of the illegal activities on her land, records reveal this was the third drug-related raid on the property since 2021.

The suspects now face an array of charges. Meyer, the alleged ringleader, is held without bond, facing counts of possession, trafficking, and child endangerment.

Batzel and Streb were charged with possession, while Pate faces trafficking charges. Hontz is charged with maintaining a public nuisance, raising questions about the repeated use of her property for drug-related crimes.

This bust highlights the continued challenge law enforcement faces in battling the meth and fentanyl epidemic that has swept across Mid-Missouri, leaving no community untouched.

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