Deputies arrest man wanted since 2010 in connection with huge pot growing operation | Crime

STODDARD COUNTY, MO (KFVS) - The Stoddard County Sheriff's Office has arrested a man wanted since 2010 in connection with the largest indoor marijuana growing operation the sheriff said he had ever seen.

In October 2010, Stoddard County deputies uncovered a huge indoor marijuana growing operation, the largest in Heffner's career. One of the suspects, 33-year-old Don Murphy, got away.

Murphy was arrested after Sheriff Carl Heffner says the department got a tip that Murphy had made it out to California where he was allegedly doing the same thing.

Heffner says Stoddard County deputies contacted authorities in California where they found him with another indoor grow operation and a meth operation, but he got away.

Recently, the Stoddard County Sheriff's Office got a tip that Murphy was back in the Heartland in the Lake Wappapello Area.

Deputy Keith Haynes drove over to the area, found the vehicle Murphy was allegedly driving, Murphy ran out, got in that vehicle and took off. Heffner says Murphy eventually got out of the vehicle and ran into the woods. Deputy Haynes chased him and arrested him.

Murphy was charged with Class B felony manufacturing marijuana and Class A felony trafficking in the first degree. He is in the Stoddard County jail on $125,000 cash only bond.

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