Richard Ford

Gary Martin

News Release

Wednesday evening, July 4^th, Deputy Taylor Jenkins made a traffic stop and spoke with the driver.  The driver stated she was looking for her mother who had been in an argument with her step father.  Deputy Jenkins followed the female to her mother’s home at 26 Moss Rd, Blue Eye, and MO, to check on her well being.

At the Blue Eye location, Deputy Jenkins was able to speak with the female resident who stated that she and her husband had been arguing.  When asked if he could come in to speak to her husband, the female at first hesitated, but did allow Deputy Jenkins to enter the home. The female stated her husband was in one of the bedrooms.

When Deputy Jenkins entered the bedroom, he made contact with a Richard Ford.  As he was patting Mr. Ford down for any possible weapons, he asked Mr. Ford if there was anything in his pants pockets that could cut or stick him.  Mr. Ford stated he had a couple of syringes in his pocket.  As Deputy Jenkins was removing the syringes, he also located 7 small baggies of white powder that he suspected to be methamphetamine.

Mr. Ford was then arrested and transported to the Stone County Jail.  While interviewing Mr. Ford, information was obtained regarding a location in the Shell Knob area where Mr. Ford stated he was purchasing the methamphetamine.

Deputy Jenkins with the assistance of additional deputies then went to 33 Joyland Rd, Shell Knob, MO, the home of Gary Ray Martin.  In talking to Mr. Martin, he turned over several baggies of suspected methamphetamine.  A search of the home located the following items used in the manufacturing of meth: 

3 gallon bottles of Muriatic acid, 3 gal cans of Coleman Camp fuel, 1 can of Drain Cleaner, 3 instant ice compressors, 1 funnel, 2 measuring cups, several coffee filters, and 2 plastic bottles that contained a white crystal powder.

Also located at the Shell Knob location were several items believed to have been stolen from the Cape Fair area.  That investigation is continuing.

Mr. Martin was arrested and transported to the Stone County Jail. 

Today, Richard Ford, white, male, dob 2-13-68 of 26 Moss Rd, Blue Eye was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance/ Methamphetamine.  He is currently being held in the Stone County Jail.  Bond has been set at $25,000.

Gary Ray Martin, white, male, dob 12-18-57, of 33 Joyland Rd, Shell Knob, and Mo was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance/ Methamphetamine, and Manufacturing a Controlled Substance.  He is currently being held in the Stone County Jail.  Bond has been set at $75,000.

Richard L. Hill
Sheriff, Stone County