Cops say meth pipes found in car near child

A warrant with a $3,500 cash-only bond has been issued for the arrest of Samantha Johnson, 32, of Theodosia, in connection with a June 18 traffic stop in which deputies say they found glass smoking pipes that field-tested positive for methamphetamine in a car with Johnson and in reach of a juvenile child. 

According to the probable cause statement, prepared by Ozark County Deputy Vesa Phelan, at 9:43 p.m. June 18, officers received a call from a concerned party who said that Samantha Johnson was allegedly intoxicated and driving a white Ford Explorer with a red canoe strapped to the top, accompanied by her juvenile child. 

A BOLO (Be On the Look Out) was issued by the Ozark County dispatch office to the Ozark County Sheriff’s Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol for the white Ford Explorer with a red canoe strapped to the top, suspected of being operated by a woman driver under the influence, the report says. 

Soon after the BOLO was issued, Phelan said he saw a vehicle with canoe matching the report, and he initiated a traffic stop near the old Kyle Store in Isabella. Deputies Jeffrey Lane and Hunter Ryan also aided in the stop. 

A man, Stephen Robinson, was in the driver’s seat, the report says. Samantha was in the passenger’s seat and did show signs of intoxication. A juvenile child was sitting in the back seat behind the driver’s seat. 

Phelan’s report says the officers found two pipes in a case where Samantha had been seated, in easy access of the child. Both pipes reportedly field-tested positive for methamphetamine. Officers also reportedly found drug paraphernalia typically used for smoking and grinding marijuana. 

Samantha Johnson is charged with felony possession of methamphetamine and two misdemeanors of endangering the welfare of a child and possessing unlawful drug paraphernalia. As of presstime, the warrant was still active, and she had not been arrested. 

Stephen Robinson is charged with a felony of driving with a revoked or suspended license, as records show his driver’s license was revoked at the time of the stop. He was arrested on a $1,500 cash-only bond and was released on his own recognizance six days later. He is scheduled to appear for a criminal setting at 9 a.m. July 29.