Monday, January 12, 2026
NEW MADRID COUNTY DEPUTY TAKEN INTO CUSTODY IN CONNECTION TO HOMICIDE SUSPECT
A New Madrid County Sheriff’s Deputy has been taken into custody in connection to a homicide suspect.
Poplar Bluff Police Chief J.R. Keirsey tells KWOC News that while the Police Department was preparing for a narcotics investigation they were contacted by the US Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force team and advised they had information that a St. Louis homicide suspect may be in the area.
By coincidence the target residence for the homicide suspect was next door to the target residence for one of the narcotic investigations.
Keirsey says the information for the homicide suspect was obtained from a New Madrid County Sheriff’s Deputy who has ties to the Poplar Bluff area. Believing the Deputy was acting in good faith, the Deputy was invited to assist by the US Marshals in the investigation of locating the homicide suspect.
During the course of that investigation, it was learned that the Deputy might have been leaking information from these investigations to friends and family of the homicide suspect and narcotic suspects.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol was contacted to assist in
the investigation and the deputy was arrested. Chief Keirsey says that New Madrid County Sheriff Joey Higgerson took immediate action to relieve the Deputy of their duties pending the investigation.
Sheriff Higgerson tells us that they hold their personnel to the highest level of ethical accountability and if someone can not hold themselves to that standard then there is no place for them in the New Madrid County Sheriff’s Department.
The deputy, identified as 49 year old Lakesha Miller, was arrested on charges of hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence.
As part of the narcotics investigation, on Thursday officers with the Poplar Bluff Police Department and agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration concluded a joint investigation resulting in search warrants at Poplar Bluff residences on Mary and Foley Streets.
The searches led officers to seize several pounds of methamphetamine, multiple pounds of marijuana, several thousand dollars in US currency, several thousand dollars in counterfeit currency, multiple firearms, drug paraphernalia and a ballistic vest.
Two individuals have been taken into custody as part of the narcotics investigations.
MALDEN AREA MAN ARRESTED ON WEAPON AND HARASSMENT CHARGES
A Malden area man has been taken into custody after allegedly threatening to shoot and kill someone.
According to the Malden Police Department on Thursday officers arrested 32 year old Mohamed Abidine-Sidi on a felony warrant out of Dunklin County for unlawful use of a weapon and 1st degree harassment.
A victim told police that Abidine-Sidi had said he would shoot and kill the victim while both were at a business where Abidine-Sidi worked.
A witness told police that the suspect had also threatened a customer in the parking lot and had shot one round into the air.
Abidine-Sidi’s bond was set at $25,000.
FAFSA FRENZY EVENT COMING TO POPLAR BLUFF HIGH SCHOOL TODAY
An event will be held today for students in Poplar Bluff that will be applying for college.
FAFSA Frenzy helps students and their families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
The event will be held from 4 to 5:45 pm this afternoon at the Poplar Bluff High School Cafeteria.
CULVERT REPLACEMENTS SET FOR TODAY ON ROUTE FF IN BUTLER COUNTY
Route FF in Butler County will be closed today so Missouri Department of Transportation crews can replace culverts under the roadway.
Crews will be working today between County Roads 624 and 626.
Weather permitting, work will take place today from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Crews will move to other spots on Route FF later this week.
CREWS TO BE WORKING TODAY ON NORTH 1 MILE ROAD IN STODDARD COUNTY
North 1 Mile Road in Stoddard County will be reduced today so Missouri Department of Transportation crews can perform signage work.
The section of roadway where crews will be working is located from Business 60 to North Outer Road in Dexter.
Work will take place today from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.