Two Hannibal Men Arrested on Drug Charges [Update]

[Update] On Tuesday, June 09, 2015, warrants were issued by the Circuit Court of Mario County, charging Russell Gottman and Jeremiah Gwartney with Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Distribute. Bond on both suspects was set at $100,000.00. Both Gottman and Gwartney remain in the Marion County Jail.

[Original Story] On Monday evening, an officer of the Hannibal Police Department conducted a traffic stop, on Highway 61 at James rd, on a vehicle for expired license plates. Upon contacting the driver, the officer detected the odor of what he believed to be marijuana.

The driver and passenger were removed from the vehicle and a search was conducted. The search revealed a large amount of what is believed to be marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a firearm.

Jeremiah S. Gwartney, 21, of Hannibal and Russell W. Gottman, 17, of Hannibal were arrested on charges of Manufacture and Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Both suspects were placed on 24 hour hold at the Marion County Jail, pending warrants.

A criminal charge is merely an allegation and the defendant is, of course, presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Press release from the Hannibal Police Department