The Reporter newspaper, Camdenton Missouri

The Reporter covers Miller, Morgan and Camden County in Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks and is published once per week on Wednesdays.

Published February 12, 2025

Multiple drug arrests made since Jan 17

CAMDEN COUNTY – Newly elected Camden County Sheriff Chris Edgar announced last week that four separate drug arrests have taken place since January 17 resulting in arrests and seizures of related items.

During that time period, Camden County Deputies in coordination with Task Force Officers (TSO) from the Mid Missouri Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force (MIDMO) arrested numerous people in possession of narcotics including methamphetamines, unlawfully possessed controlled substance prescription pills and numerous examples of drug paraphernalia.

In addition to those arrests, deputies also conducted several narcotics investigations with MIDMO throughout the county with many of those investigations crossing into neighboring counties.

Each TFO with MIDMO is also a sworn deputy sheriff with Camden County, Edgar said.

On January 17, deputies conducted an investigation in the 6700 block of Viking Trail in Osage Beach.

According to the sheriff, they seized 42 grams of methamphetamine, ten prescription pills, a handgun and multiple items of drug paraphernalia.

Leslie M Chamberlin, 59, was arrested and charged with 2nd Degree Drug Trafficking (Felony) and Unlawful Use of a Weapon (Felony).

Chamberlin later posted a $50,000 bond and will appear before the court in February.

On January 31, deputies completed a month-long investigation targeting two suspected drug traffickers frequenting Camden, Cole and Pulaski Counties.

MIDMO TFOs enlisted the assistance of the MUSTANG Drug Task Force to intercept Robert E Smith, 51, of Camdenton, MO, while driving on Highway 54 near Jefferson City.

MUSTANG TFOs said they seized 202 grams of methamphetamine, two handguns and $5,700 in cash.

Smith was arrested and later charged with the 1st Degree Drug Trafficking (Felony) two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm (Felony) and Armed Criminal Action (Felony).

He is being held without bond.

During this investigation, authorities also arrested Randi J Ciauarella, 20, who was charged with the 1st Degree Drug Trafficking (Felony) and is also being held without bond.

On Saturday February 1, MIDMO TFOs requested help from the Lake Area Narcotics Enforcement Group task force and Pulaski County Deputies to apprehend Joel M Bollinger, 48, of Richland, MO, while driving on Interstate 44 near Buckhorn.

Edgar said during a search of Bollinger’s vehicle, investigators seized approximately 4.5 pounds of methamphetamine. Bollinger was arrested and charged with the 1st Degree Drug Trafficking (Felony) and was being held on a $250,000 bond.

Also on Saturday February 1, deputies conducted a traffic stop in the Osage Beach area and during the stop MIDMO K9 Tina alerted to the odor of a controlled substance during a free air sniff.

Deputies said they located approximately 15 grams of methamphetamine in the vehicle.

Dawn M Roe, 63, of Brumley, MO, was arrested and later charged with the Possession of a Controlled Substance (Felony) with a $25,000 bond. She will appear before the court in March.

“These arrests and ultimately their prosecutions are examples of what is possible through interagency investigations and multi-jurisdictional cooperation,” Sheriff Edgar said. “Our agency is excited for the future of these types of investigations and helping to eliminate drug traffickers in our area.”

People are reminded that these charges are merely allegations of wrongdoing. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.