At 4:35 p.m. Sunday, the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested two Sedalia men after a traffic stop in Saline County.
Driver Michael L. Waddle, 19, and occupant Melvin E. Osburn, 25, were initially pulled over after the teenage driver cut off another vehicle on U.S. Highway 65.
From a probable cause statement sworn by Trooper T. Jackson, the trooper was traveling south on Highway 65 at Odell Avenue when he witnessed a silver SUV driving slowly in the passing lane.
As the trooper slowed, the suspicious SUV behind slowed as well, eventually passing the trooper yet staying in the passing lane, which caused another vehicle to attempt passing in the right-hand lane. Waddle then cut off the vehicle in front of the trooper, who noticed a piece of black tape obscuring Waddle’s registration sticker.
During a traffic stop, Jackson identified the men as Osburn and Waddle and asked Waddle if he had any weapons, to which he replied, “Umm...”
Jackson had Waddle sit in his vehicle and noted the strong aroma of marijuana coming from Waddle.
Osburn told the trooper he had shared a marijuana cigarette with Waddle in Marshall minutes earlier. Then Jackson noticed a meth pipe in clear view, prompting a search of the vehicle.
“I knew it was a bad idea to call him,” Osburn said, speaking of calling Waddle for a ride to Sedalia.
The probable cause statement then quotes a conversation between the two Sedalia men as they discussed the items they had in the vehicle.
Waddle: “Wait, how is he doing a search? Stop! (Expletive), we're going to go to jail! Dude, I don't know how I'm going to get out of jail. Dude, we got guns in there.”
Osburn: “He seen the dope pipe on the middle console. I told him it was mine, (expletive).”
Waddle: “Yeah, but what about the guns, bro? (expletive)”
Osburn: “So, what are we going to do when he asks whose they are?”
Waddle: “Bro, I'm not claiming all three of them, bro.”
Osburn: “Okay, so I got to claim my two, yeah?”
Waddle: “So are you telling him the one that's yours, is yours?”
Osburn: “I'm not telling him anything. I'm going to be like? I don't know, (expletive).”
Jackson’s search revealed an AR-15 rifle with no serial numbers and hundreds of rounds of ammo, a Hi-Point pistol with ammo and filed-off numbers, a Taurus 9mm pistol with ammo, six baggies of synthetic marijuana under the center console, numerous meth pipes, scales, baggies and two notebooks containing transactions for the sale of controlled substances including names, addresses, profits and the amounts of substances sold, indicating trafficking.
Waddle has been charged with delivery of a controlled substance, unlawful use of a firearm, possession of a defaced firearm, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. He was transported to the Saline County Jail and placed on a 24-hour hold pending charges.
Osburn has been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, delivery of 35 grams or less of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoid, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. He was also placed on a 24-hour hold pending charges.
Both men were issued a $10,000 bond, cash or surety, and both had an arraignment Monday in Saline County Circuit Court. A hearing for counsel status was scheduled for Nov. 23 and a preliminary hearing for Dec. 7, again for both subjects.
