Meth and fentanyl seized in drug raid in Pettis County, five people arrested

On September 23, five people were arrested following a drug-related search warrant.

Pettis County Sheriff Brad Anders said several residents were taken into custody after the Mid-Missouri Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at 19532 Maltsbarger Road in Sedalia.

At about 7:21 a.m. Monday, officers entered the residence of Tony Meyer, 52, and Samantha L. Batzel, 37, both of Sedalia, and took them into custody in the rear east bedroom of the home.

Law enforcement discovered that two juveniles under the age of eleven were in the home at the time the required search was conducted.

Court documents show that after Meyer was handcuffed and taken to the living room of the house, he asked for red shorts from the bedroom to put on. An officer found the shorts and reported finding a baggie with a white powdery substance, a glass pipe with white residue and $646 in the pants pocket. Substance testing revealed methamphetamine, but also fentanyl. The baggie weighed approximately 3.3 grams.

According to a statement of suspicion, the following items were also found in the east bedroom:

• a large bag filled with smaller bags of the white substance on the floor near the foot of the bed
• a digital scale with white residue in a drawer at the foot of the bed
• a black plastic box with four bags of a crystal substance and a measuring spoon, weight approx. 19 grams
• six Suboxone pills
• a bag of psilocybin mushrooms and a glass pipe in a dresser drawer
• a glass pipe with white residue in a handbag

Meyer reportedly told authorities that he owned all of the items found and that he had been purchasing an ounce of methamphetamine every three days since his release from the Pettis County Jail on January 6.

Batzel denied knowing there were illegal items in the house and claimed she did not live there. However, officers found that there were items of equal male and female gender throughout the house and in the bedroom.

The third suspect, Mark Pate, 63, of Sedalia, was arrested in the living room of the home. According to court documents, a metal container containing two small baggies of a white substance was found in his pocket. The substance later tested positive for fentanyl and weighed approximately 1.6 grams.

The fourth suspect, Chrystal L. Streb, 43, of Iona, was found in a trailer at the rear of the property and taken into custody. She was allegedly found in possession of a small bag containing a crystalline substance. Before being questioned by officers, she claimed the substance was for personal use and that she had not sold it.

While searching the rest of the trailer, officers allegedly found additional bags containing the white substance, which tested positive for methamphetamine.

The fifth suspect, Mildred Hontz, 71, of Sedalia, was arrested in the west bedroom and determined to be the legal owner of the property.

According to a probable cause statement, Hontz denied any knowledge of the drugs and drug use on her property. Records show this was the third drug-related search warrant executed at the home since May 2021.

Formal fees include:

• Meyer – three counts of possession of a controlled substance, maintaining or keeping a public nuisance, second-degree drug trafficking and first-degree endangering the welfare of a child. He is being held without bail.
• Batzel – three counts of possession of a controlled substance. She is being held on $10,000 bail.
• Pate – second degree drug trafficking and possession of a controlled substance. He is being held without bail.
• Streb – Possession of a Controlled Substance. She is being held on $10,000 bail.
• Hontz – Maintaining or Operating a Public Nuisance. She is being held on $10,000 bail.