Tip, cameras lead to drug bust near Pineville

COURTESY PHOTO/The MCSO recently confiscated 16 pounds of freshly-harvested marijuana following a search warrant in rural Pineville. Deputy Bill Cagle explained that many growers will place bread or crackers in the marijuana bags to help wick away moisture.

COURTESY PHOTO/The MCSO recently confiscated 16 pounds of freshly-harvested marijuana following a search warrant in rural Pineville. Deputy Bill Cagle explained that many growers will place bread or crackers in the marijuana bags to help wick away moisture.

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

One tip, three motion-activated cameras and a team of detectives led to a search warrant that yielded 16 pounds of freshly-harvested marijuana in Pineville last week and the arrest of a Rogers cardiologist and his wife.

After investigating a tip, the McDonald County Sheriff's Office received in August, deputies collaborated with the Special Response Team to place cameras on the perimeter of an alleged marijuana grow operation in a rural area south of Pineville.

According to a news release on Sept. 21, the SRT went to gather the cameras and discovered that two of the cameras had been removed. The third camera was retrieved, and a male and female were shown harvesting the marijuana from the growing location, then taking the other two cameras. The subjects were identified as Robert and Becky Stuppy. According to a probable cause affidavit, the cameras were on loan from MOCIC (Mid-States Organized Crime Information Center) and are valued at $1,200 apiece.

Deputies with the MCSO and SRT executed a search warrant on the residence of Robert and Becky Stuppy at 590 Hard Drive and discovered approximately 16 pounds of marijuana, a .357 magnum revolver and 10 rifles locked in a safe room. The safe room was hidden behind a bookshelf that appeared to be mounted to the wall.

Robert and Becky Stuppy are both facing felony charges in connection with possession of a controlled substance, manufacture of a controlled substance, unlawful use of weapon and theft/stealing.

Stuppy was suspended indefinitely from his job at Mercy Hospital last week, Mercy spokeswoman Jennifer Cook said. A plan is in place for the care of Stuppy's patients, Cook said last Friday.

The Stuppys are scheduled to appear before a judge on Oct. 29.

Community on 10/10/2018