Pubdate: Mon, 01 Aug 2005
Source: Rolla Daily News (MO)
Copyright: 2005 Rolla Daily News
Contact:  http://www.therolladailynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1189
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

DEPUTY SHOOTS DRIVER DURING SURVEILLANCE

The Phelps County Sheriff's Department took one individual into
custody and shot and wounded a second following a Friday night
methamphetamine surveillance near the conservation tower in Rosati.

"This is the first time in over 30 years that a deputy has shot an
individual or been shot," said Phelps County Sheriff Don
Blankenship.

"There have been times where we've been shot at, but the suspect has
missed."

Wounded and airlifted to a St. Louis hospital was Preston Gillam, 30,
of Sullivan.

"Because of the HIPAA laws, the hospital won't even tell us whether he
is dead or alive - something we really need to know," the sheriff said.

Blankenship would not release the name of the deputies involved before
consulting with the department's legal counsel.

Taken into custody at the scene was Brian Scott, 32 of
Sullivan.

According to Blankenship, the department received information
regarding suspicious activity at the location.

"We checked out the scene and noticed a chemical odor of anhydrous
ammonia and knew immediately we had a meth cooking operation,"
Blankenship said.

The area had been under surveillance since Thursday night by the PCSD,
Missouri Conservation Commission and the Missouri Highway Patrol.

According to Blankenship, officers found the cook location and began
surveillance, hoping the cookers would come back to retrieve the
cooking utensils.

"At approximately 7:25 p.m. [Friday], two suspects arrived at the
location," Blankenship said. "The driver, Gillam, remained in the
pick-up truck while Scott, the passenger, exited the vehicle and
walked into the woods.

"Scott picked up a bag containing the cooking utensils and placed it
in the back of the truck."

At that point, Scott was taken into custody.

Gillam attempted to flee, but Blankenship said that the deputies were
able to get the driver to stop for a couple of seconds.

"At that point a deputy reached inside and grabbed Gillam's arm and
ordered him to shut off the vehicle," he said. "At that point Gillam
cut the wheels toward the deputy and accelerated, striking the deputy."

The deputy then discharged one round, wounding Gillam in the abdomen,
and then shot out the left front tire on the truck, bringing the
vehicle to a stop.

"At that point we called for an ambulance and air-evac," the sheriff
said.

Blankenship, who was on scene, said no departmental action is being
taken against the deputy who wounded Gillam.

"We called the Missouri Highway Patrol in to investigate the shooting,
but I was on scene," he said. "Everything I heard and according to
what the investigator is saying, this is squeaky clean.

"The deputy has not been relieved of his duties."

Gillam and Scott are being charged with distribution and manufacturing
a controlled substance - methamphetamine, possession of
methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of
over 35 grams of marijuana.

According to Blankenship, officials have no reason to believe that
Gillam or Scott are connected to the July 2, shooting death of James
E. Cornwell III in St. James.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin