Northeast Missouri man arrested with loaded gun, accused of drunkenness on school grounds

MILAN, Missouri — A northeast Missouri man is now behind bars on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges.

Jeko Markov, 42, of Marceline, was arrested Monday near the Milan C-2 School District.

According to court documents, a Milan C-2 administrator called police around 5:25 p.m. on Monday to report that Markov had made inappropriate comments toward students.

The manager also believed he was drunk.

A Milan police officer arrived at the school and observed Markov leaving the parking lot before stopping him on East 3rd Street in Milan.

Court documents further state that the officer gave Markov a breathalyzer test and, following those tests, decided to arrest Markov on suspicion of driving while intoxicated in the presence of a juvenile.

When the officer searched Markov's body, he also found a loaded 9mm pistol with 15 rounds of ammunition and another in the barrel.

Because the officer saw Markov leave the school grounds, he charged him with unlawful use of a weapon – carrying a loaded weapon into a school, bus, campus, or event.

The suspect is also charged with carrying a loaded weapon while intoxicated and first-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

He is being held in the Sullivan County Jail and bail is set at $25,000 cash.

Milan C-2 Superintendent Ashley Pauley sent a letter to families and staff on Tuesday outlining her perspective on the situation.

Pauley said the junior high and JV football officials were made aware of a Marceline fan who was exhibiting inappropriate behavior.

The Milan administration then contacted Marceline's on-duty administration to help de-escalate the situation and keep the fan away from the stadium.

Pauley also said that school officials were never aware of a weapon and that police were only called as a precaution in case the fan did not leave the school as requested.

The superintendent concluded her statement by thanking the police authorities for their quick response.

Editor's note: Markov's mug shot was not immediately available; KTVO will contact the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office again on Thursday.