Bootheel officials arrested in forgery probe

Hayti Mayor Bobby Watkins and former Pemiscot County Road and Bridge Supervisor Martin Culver are among seven people arrested in connection with an ongoing investigation by the Pemiscot County Sheriff's Office, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Division of Drug and Crime Control Unit.

According to Pemiscot County Sheriff Tommy Greenwell, these arrests stem from a three-month investigation by authorities.

During the course of this investigation, it was discovered that employees with the Pemiscot County Road and Bridge Department and local businessmen were being paid with county funds by the Pemiscot County Commission after false invoices were submitted and approved by the commission for approximately the last three months.

Watkins, 39, of Hayti has been charged with one count of forgery and one count of felony stealing with a bond of $50,000. He has retained counsel with attorney Jim Bruce. A preliminary hearing has been set for Jan. 5, 2012.

Martin Culver

Culver, 39, of Hayti, recently resigned from the county and has now been charged with 20 counts of forgery and one count of felony stealing over $25,000. His bond was set at $100,000 and counsel was retained with attorney Shawn Young. Culver was also on the Hayti Board of Aldermen and Hayti Fire Department before resigning recently. A preliminary hearing date has been set for Dec. 1.

Tracy Floyd, 40, of Caruthersville, has been charged with 14 counts of forgery and one count of felony stealing. Bond was set at $100,000 and counsel has been retained with attorney Daniel Cornacchione. A preliminary hearing date has been set for Jan. 5, 2012.

Randle Ridings, 62, of Senath, has been charged with five counts of forgery and one count of felony stealing. Bond was set at $50,000. A preliminary hearing date has been set for Dec. 8.

Chris Hogan, 45, of Bragg City has been charged with five counts of forgery and one count of felony stealing with a bond of $50,000. A preliminary hearing date has been set for Jan. 5, 2012.

Rickie Harden, 63, of Caruthersville, has been charged with three counts of forgery and one count of felony stealing. His bond has been set at $50,000. A preliminary hearing has been set for Jan. 5, 2012.

Clois Reed, 57, of Kennett, has been charged with one count of stealing and seven counts of forgery. His bond has been set at $50,000. His preliminary hearing date of Jan. 12, 2012.

All seven men appeared Monday morning before Judge Byron Luber after turning themselves in.

The City of Hayti released the following statement at Monday's Board of Alderman meeting: "The City of Hayti has been advised that criminal charges have been filed by the Pemiscot County Prosecuting Attorney against its mayor, Bobby Watkins. Presently, the city has very little information relating to the charges as the allegations in the criminal proceedings are not based upon any malfeasance in the performance of his duties as mayor. Based on information provided to the city, the charges do not relate in any way to misappropriation of city funds. The city will defer making further comment relating to the criminal charges while they remain pending."

Sheriff Greenwell said that investigators found several fictitious documents in the years between 2009 and 2011 that were paid by the Pemiscot County Commission once they had been approved.

Several other people of interest have been questioned during the course of this investigation and Greenwell says that the investigation is still ongoing.