Sedalia Police Arrest Two After Serving Search Warrants

Over the course of the past three months, members of the Crime Resolution Unit have been investigating an individual, identified as William “Lavelle” Taylor – 30 years old, who was alleged to be trafficking methamphetamine in the Sedalia/Pettis County area.

As part of the on-going investigation, four search warrants were obtained and were all executed in Sedalia on March 22, 2022.

At approximately 2:54 p.m., detectives initiated a car stop on a vehicle being driven by Taylor, and served a search warrant on the vehicle once he was detained. A search of the vehicle revealed Taylor possessed methamphetamine, as well as a female passenger, identified as Bobbie Jo Williams, 47 years old.

Both subjects were arrested and transported to the Pettis County Jail and placed on 24-hour holds.

At nearly the same time as the traffic stop, investigators with the Mid-Missouri Drug Task Force and deputies with the Pettis County Sheriff’s Department served a search warrant at a motel room being utilized by Taylor, located at 4710 S. Limit Ave., Budget Inn. A search of the room revealed a handgun and US currency believed to be the profit of illegal drug sales. The handgun was later confirmed as stolen, originally reported out of Sedalia.

Two additional search warrants were later served at Taylor’s primary residence, 2343 West Main St., Apt. #7, and a vehicle registered to him that was parked in the parking lot of the apartment complex. Inside the vehicle investigators located over one pound of methamphetamine and additional evidence to indicate Taylor was distributing the substance. In all, with everything seized during the investigation, investigators seized one and one half pounds of methamphetamine.

The following state charges are being sought:

William Lavelle Taylor:
1st degree drug trafficking (methamphetamine)
Distribution/delivery of a controlled substance (methamphetamine)
Distribution/delivery of a controlled substance (cocaine)
Unlawful possession of a firearm
Receiving stolen property

Bobbie Jo Williams:
Possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine)
Also arrested for active probation violation – no bond