Man charged with distributing meth after OCSD officer watches him sell to informant

Auden Vaneperen, 20, of Gainesville, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 30, before Associate Judge Raymond Gross in a case in which he’s charged with delivery of a controlled substance, a class C felony. 

According to the probable cause statement, prepared by Ozark County Sheriff’s Deputy Josh Sherman, Vaneperen sold methamphetamine between Sept. 1-15, 2023. 

“The purchase of the methamphetamine was supervised, monitored and observed by Ozark County Sheriff’s Department personnel and deputies... The confidential informant requested to purchase one gram [of methamphetamine] from Auden for $50,” the report says. 

During the interaction, Ozark County Sheriff’s Lt. Matt Rhoades was nearby and witnessed the transaction, including a clear view of Vaneperen’s face during the sales transaction, the document says. 

The product was field-tested and weighed at the sheriff’s department. It tested positive as methamphetamine and weighed in at .7 gram. 

On Oct. 2, 2023, Vaneperen was arrested in another ongoing case. He was Mirandized for the interview and agreed to talk with officers. 

He reportedly admitted to the use, sale and distribution of methamphetamine in Ozark County and provided details to the sale of illegal narcotics from him to others. 

He is currently being held in the Ozark County Jail without bond. A bond hearing document shows that there were children present during the meth sales witnessing the controlled buy. The court also is concerned about the likelihood of him returning to court for future hearings because the distribution charge is serious. 

Vaneperen is represented by Defense Attorney Joshua Brown. The state is represented by Ozark County Prosecuting Attorney Lee Pipkins.