West Plains, MO – On Thursday, September 19th, a man wanted in Arkansas was apprehended in West Plains after a tense standoff with police.
The West Plains Police Department reported that the operation commenced around 5:16 PM after they received information about the suspect’s whereabouts.
The suspect, identified as 38-year-old James Michael Meese, was located in the 500 block of Tiffany Street. Meese was wanted on charges of rape, sexual assault, and terroristic threatening.
Upon arrival, officers observed Meese fleeing into a residence, where he barricaded himself. The department’s strategic response team secured the area, while the crisis negotiations team attempted to persuade Meese to surrender.
After negotiations failed, officers deployed less-lethal munitions. The strategic response team then entered the residence and apprehended Meese without further incident.
According to a probable cause affidavit from the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, the victim reported that she and a friend first met Meese two years ago to smoke marijuana. They became friends on Snapchat, and the relationship eventually turned sexual, with the victim complying out of fear. She stated that Meese threatened to kill her if she reported him to the police.
The alleged rape occurred on September 5th, when the victim met Meese to end the relationship.
Meese faces one count of rape, three counts of fourth-degree sexual assault, and one count of first-degree terroristic threatening. His bond is set at $300,000 pending his transfer to Fulton County.
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