Couple faces felonies after repeated methamphetamine and firearm arrests

Joshua Benson, born in 1974, and girlfriend Lashanna Lambert, born in 1988, are on the Ozark County Sheriff’s Department’s list of those recently charged with possession of illegal drugs. The others listed in this section, below this article, have also been recently charged. 

Benson is facing three separate recently filed cases of drug possession and other related charges from different interactions with law enforcement. One incident was this year, Feb. 17, and two incidents were from last year on Nov. 13 and Oct. 26, 2024. Lambert is also charged in the Feb. 17 and Nov. 13 cases. Details of each case are included below:

Feb. 17, 2025: Repeated driving while revoked, meth, firearms found in vehicle

According to the probable cause statement, prepared by Ozark County Deputy Hunter Ryan, on Feb. 17, he was patroling an area on O Highway in Udall when the vehicle in front off him crossed the double yellow center line in the middle of the highway three times within a one-mile span. 

Lt. Matt Rhoades ran the vehicle’s license plate number through the law enforcement program, and the vehicle came back registered to Lambert, who officers knew was Benson’s girlfriend. Ryan and Rhoades say that Benson was known to drive while having a suspended driver’s license, they knew he shared an address with a woman who had a warrant issued for her arrest. 

Although the charge is usually a misdemeanor, the report says that he because of his continuous and repeated driving without a license, his status has reached felony-level. 

After approaching the vehicle, the officers found Benson in the driver’s seat. “In the 9 months I have been on the road, [Benson] has been arrested four times [with] this incident being the fifth time driving while revoked, all of which are felony level,” Ryan wrote in his report. 

He also mentioned that Benson had a relevant criminal history related to his careless driving. In 2003, he was convicted of assault by operating a vehicle without a license resulting in an injury (felony). In 2013, he was convicted of driving while intoxicated (felony). In 2021, he was convicted of driving with a revoked license (felony).

“Despite being arrested five times for driving while revoked, [Benson] continues to show disregard for the traffic laws and continues to drive without a license,” the report says. 

Ryan placed Benson in handcuffs and into the back of his patrol vehicle. He then asked Lambert, who was riding as a passenger in the vehicle, if she had insurance on the vehicle. She said she would try to get someone to text her a photo of her insurance policy. 

“Due to both individuals having conflicting stories, and their recent history of being in possession of firearms and possession of illegal narcotics, we developed enough reasonable suspicion to call for our department’s K-9 while we waited for her to show proof of insurance on the vehicle,” Ryan wrote. 

OCSD K9 Karo was brought to the scene and gave a positive indication that there were illegal drugs in the vehicle. 

“Upon conducting a search on the vehicle, a firearm was found in the back under a blanket as well as ammo inside the gun and the backpack in the backseat as well as targets in the backpack for sighting in a gun. We also found a pair of scope caps in the center console of the vehicle. Lt. Rhoades knew the backpack belonged to [Benson] due to previous stops where [Benson] had the backpack and said it was his backpack. A silicone container was in the glove compartment that field-tested positive for meth...”

At that time, Lambert was also placed in handcuffs, and they were transported to the Ozark County Jail. Duke’s Towing was called to tow the vehicle. 

In relation to the incident, Benson and Lambert are each charged with possession of meth, possessing a weapon and meth at the same time and unlawful possession of a firearm. Benson also faces another charge for driving with a revoked or suspended license. He was held in jail from Feb. 18 until Feb. 21, when Associate Judge Raymond Gross granted pre-trial supervised release on his own recognizance.  Lambert has not been arrested, but a warrant and a $2,500 cash-only bond has been issued for her arrest in connection with the case.

Nov. 13, 2024: Search warrant at home turns up meth, firearms

In another case Deputy Gannon Moss prepared a probable cause statement involving a Nov. 13, 2024, search warrant was executed at Benson and Lambert’s house for illegal narcotics. The search was conducted around 8:30 p.m. that night. 

“While searching the main house on the property, multiple items were discovered in [Benson] and [Lambert]’s bedroom, where they were located during initial contact. These items included a glass tray and white plastic bag, both with a white, crystal-like substance on them that field-tested positive for amphetamines. Also located in this bedroom were two firearms (one Heritage Rough Rider .22 revolver and one Marlin .22 rifle). Both [Benson] and [Lambert] are convicted felons and are not legally permitted to posses these firearms. During the search of suspect 2’s vehicle that was also located on the premises, a white syringe with residue was located that field-tested positive for amphetamines,” the report said. 

Both are charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia in connection with that case. Benson is scheduled to appear before Associate Judge Raymond Gross for a criminal setting in that case at the same time as his other cases. Lambert has not been arrested, and a warrant with a $3,500 cash-only bond has been issued in that case. 

Oct. 26, 2024: Stopped for revoked license, officers find straw with meth still on it

According to a probable cause statement prepared by Lt. Matthew Rhodes, detailing the third incident involving Benson’s recently filed charges, he and Deputy Moss stopped Benson’s white Infinity, as they knew the car belonged to Benson and that he had a suspended driver’s license. 

“I confirmed that his license was still suspended. A records check revealed the suspect has had multiple DWI convictions, making him eligible for a class ‘E’ felony charge for driving on a suspended license.

“The suspect gave verbal consent to search the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, Deputy Moss located a metal straw that had visible meth on it and field-tested positive for meth.”