On April 23, 2023, the Lewis County Sheriff's Office received a call from an employee of the County Market Express in Lewistown, Missouri regarding suspicious persons in the parking lot.  Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with Virginia S Murphy, age 30, of Durham, Missouri and Jacob B Covert, age 32, of Durham, Missouri in a vehicle that had previously been reported as a possible drunk driver earlier the same day.  The deputy looked through the window of the vehicle and observed a loaded syringe on the instrument cluster in plain view.  Both subjects were later placed into custody and brought to the Lewis County Jail on a 24 hour hold while charges were sought.

On April 24, 2023, formal charges were sought by Prosecuting Attorney Chelsea Fellinger.  The Honorable Corey Moon, Associate Judge, issued a warrant for one count of Possession of Controlled Substance, a Class D felony, for both subjects. 

On April 24, 2023, the Sheriff's Office sought and received a search warrant for the suspect's vehicle and other drug related items were located.

Miss Murphy and Mr. Covert each remain lodged in the Lewis County Jail in lieu of a $10,000 cash only bond.

***All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.***