March 6th, 2026 Local News
St. Francois Co., Mo. (KFMO) - A two-month narcotics investigation by the Mineral Area Drug Task Force has resulted in the arrest of a St. Francois County man and the seizure of nearly three pounds of methamphetamine.
According to Sheriff Jeffrey S. Crites, investigators had been monitoring Christopher M. Ellis after surveillance indicated he was allegedly traveling between St. Louis and St. Francois County to obtain large quantities of methamphetamine for distribution.
On Wednesday, March 4, 2026, a deputy with the St. Francois County Sheriff's Department initiated a traffic stop involving Ellis in Farmington. Authorities say that as the deputy activated emergency equipment, Ellis allegedly threw a package from the passenger side window of the vehicle.
Deputies quickly recovered the package and found it contained a digital scale and approximately 188 grams of methamphetamine.
Ellis was taken into custody and transported to the St. Francois County Adult Detention Center pending formal charges.
Authorities later obtained and executed a search warrant at Ellis’ residence in Park Hills. During that search, members of the task force and sheriff’s deputies reportedly discovered an additional 1,170 grams of methamphetamine.
Investigators say the combined seizures totaled nearly three pounds of the drug.
Ellis is expected to face charges of Trafficking in Drugs, Second Degree, and Tampering with Physical Evidence.
