Pair arrested on warrants, meth/paraphernalia found

On Aug. 2, Ozark County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Matt Rhoades was conducting a patrol in the Bakersfield area when he located a vehicle at a residence that was registered to Lawrence Pierce, who had an active felony warrant for his arrest. 

Once additional deputies arrived in the area, they contacted Lawrence at the residence and placed him under arrest. 

During the initial contact, Megan Loftis, who was also at the scene, attempted to hide from deputies. She was spotted by officers, and they discovered that she also had a felony warrant from Douglas County. During a search of her property, meth and paraphernalia were located, officers say. 

Both individuals were arrested and booked into jail for their warrants, and Loftis was also charged with possession of a controlled substance and paraphernalia. 

“While waiting for back up, a kind person spotted the marked unit. They attempted to announce law enforcement presence in the area on Facebook for those who might be avoiding contact,” a post on the Ozark County Sheriff’s Facebook page says. “Unfortunately for arrestees... as most locals know, there is very little cell reception in Bakersfield, and they must not have received the memo. This is quite literally the first time we are thankful for the lack of cell services in the area. Now please, someone build some more cell towers!”