Slates arraigned in Vernon County court Monday

Roy A. Slates, 55, of Nevada was arraigned in the Circuit Court of Vernon County on Monday, Feb. 22 on one class D felony count of concealing a felony and one class D felony of hindering prosecution of a felony.

Slates pleaded not guilty to both counts and the law offices of Dee Wampler & Joseph Passanise, filed several motions on Slates' behalf. Attorneys filed an Entry of Appearance, Motion to Dismiss and for Bill of Particulars and he filed a Motion for Disclosure of Impeaching Information as well as a Defendant's Request for Disclosure by Court Order. Slates remains free on bond and is scheduled to appear in court again on March 25 for a pre-hearing.

Slates surrendered to the Vernon County Sheriff's Office on Feb. 4 in connection to two felony warrants filed as a result of the investigation into the alleged Jan. 8 kidnapping of New Jersey pet food dealer Jeffrey Muller. Muller was allegedly kidnapped from his place of business on Jan. 8 by Douglas Stangeland of Nevada and Andrew Wadel and Lonnie Swarnes, both of Rich Hill.

All three men were arrested on Jan. 9 in Lake Ozark Mo. when a store clerk called police after seeing Muller trying to escape while the alleged kidnappers tried to repair their car. Swarnes waived his extradition rights and has been extradited back to New Jersey where he has entered a plea of not guilty to the kidnapping charge. He is being held on $750,000 bond.

Douglas Stangeland and Andrew Wadel requested an extradition hearing and are both being held with no bond in the Vernon County jail on numerous charges relating to the November 2009 home invasion at the home of Charles Scammell in northern Vernon County. William Barger was also arrested in connection to the kidnapping and home invasion charges and is facing a multitude of felony charges. Barger is also being held with no bond in the Vernon County jail. All three men have court appearances scheduled for March.