Moniteau County Deputy Arrests California Man for Meth

A traffic stop east of Tipton on April 15 led to the arrest of a 64-year-old man who authorities say tried to flee.

According to the Moniteau County Sheriff's Office, Steven M. Martin of California, Missouri was stopped on Highway 50 for a traffic violation. Deputies learned that Martin was on federal probation for drug distribution.

A news release says Martin was acting suspiciously and a deputy asked for consent to search the vehicle. Martin refused and reportedly told the deputy to get a search warrant. He was then asked to step outside the vehicle so that a K9 could conduct an exterior sniff for narcotics. Authorities say Martin then put the vehicle in drive and began to flee east on Highway 50.

Martin was stopped near Highway E and was taken into custody. The Moniteau County Sheriff's Office says methamphetamine that Martin had attempted to destroy was recovered from inside the vehicle.

Martin was arrested on charges including possession of a controlled substance (meth) and resisting arrest. Bond was set at $40,000.