Maywood man in Lewis County Jail after theft of copper wire, pipe also leads to drug charge

DURHAM, Mo. — A Maywood, Mo., man was charged with theft, trespassing and drug charges after his arrest last week.

The Lewis County Sheriff’s Department responded on Tuesday, Dec. 3, to a theft report from a rural farm near Durham. A landowner observed a suspicious pickup truck on his property and contacted law enforcement. The landowner followed the suspect, later identified as Joey L. Allensworth, 50, of Maywood to the 8&W Recycling Center in West Quincy.

At the recycling center, deputies discovered Allensworth had copper wire and pipe that had been stolen from the farm. He was immediately taken into custody. After being transported to the Lewis County Jail, Allensworth admitted to possessing methamphetamine and handed over a baggie of the substance, which was taken into evidence.

Lewis County Prosecuting Attorney Chelsea Fellinger formally charged Allensworth on Dec. 4 with one count of possession of controlled substance, a Class D felony; one count of stealing, a Class A misdemeanor; and one count of trespassing in the second degree.

A warrant for his arrest was issued by Lewis County Associate Court Judge Corey Moon, who set Allensworth’s bond at $10,000. Allensworth remains in custody. A bond hearing is set for Thursday.

The sheriff’s department worked in collaboration with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and NECOMM.