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.

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 of 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 Stuppy's patients to be taken care of, Cook said last Friday.

They are scheduled to appear before a judge on Oct. 29.

Community on 10/04/2018