Bernie Police arrest 1 for selling drugs in school zone

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Charges were formally filed on Tuesday, Aug. 19, alleging that a Bernie man was selling drugs in Bernie within 1,000 feet of the Bernie School campus, a felony in violation of Missouri law.

According to Bernie Chief of Police Justin Allen, on July 30, 2014, his department received word that Larry H. Ryans, 31, was selling prescription drugs from his residence at 207 Mann St. in Bernie.

Utilizing a police informant, a purchase of two Alprazolam (Xanax) tablets was made at the cost of $2 each. Present during the sale, according to Allen, was Ryans' two-year-old child.

Ryans' residence, Allen stated, is located 736 feet from Bernie Elementary School.

Ryans was arrested on Tuesday with distribution of a controlled substance near a school.

During the interview process that followed his arrest, Ryans reportedly initially denied any wrongdoing. He later admitted that he had sold his prescription medication to about six individuals and said he could not recall their names. He told police that he takes Xanax pills 10 at a time and that he also had hydrocodone, but usually "trades or gives all of them to his wife."

He was taken to the Stoddard County Jail, where he remains under a $20,000 bond.

It has also been learned that Larry Ryans was also charged on Aug. 6, 2014 with DWI (drugs) as a prior offender, operating an ATV with a passenger when the vehicle's seat was not designed for such, and for endangering the welfare of a child.

The circumstances surrounding that arrest stem from another call to the Bernie Police stating that a male was riding a four-wheeler on W. Main St. holding a small child.

When the officer approached the vehicle, he made contact with the driver, Ryans, who was holding a small young male in his arms.

The officer observed Ryans' eyes to be "staring and constricted" and his speech "mumbled and slurred."

Ryans denied having taken any form of drugs or alcohol, and submitted to a field sobriety test, which confirmed intoxication. He eventually admitted to having taken Xanax. He was placed under arrest and the minor child was turned over to authorities. A subsequent blood test proved positive for TCH.

It was learned following that arrest that Ryans was on a 24-month probation for a Class B misdemeanor DWI drug charge through Stoddard County. He was charged then for DWI (drugs) as a prior offender.