On Tuesday, March 30th, investigators with the Paragould Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit/Drug Task Force and patrol officers with the department’s patrol division, aided agents from the East Arkansas Fugitive Task Force in the apprehension of some local fugitives.
While tracking down the local absconders, information became available during the day from the East Missouri Fugitive Task Force that a sex offender from Minnesota was believed to be in our area.
After utilizing a variety of investigative techniques, a vehicle description and possible address was determined and it was confirmed that the target was in fact in Paragould and would soon be returning to an address on North 9 1/2 Street. Surveillance details were stationed in the area, and the target was located and apprehended within moments. He was taken into custody without incident.
Steve Elliot, 35 years of age, was wanted out of the state of Minnesota for parole violations pertaining to a conviction of sexual assault. At the time of his apprehension, Elliot was found to be in possession of a methamphetamine pipe. A statement by Elliot, under Miranda, indicated that he had two “stashes” in his hotel room at Quality Inn and Suites here in Paragould. A search warrant was obtained and a search was conducted of his hotel room. Two small cases were found to contain methamphetamine, snort tubes, and an additional pipe. A total of three grams of methamphetamine was seized.
Elliot is currently being held in the Greene County Detention Center on the felony parole violation warrant out of Minnesota, in addition to the following local charges stemming from his apprehension:
-Failure to Register as a Sex Offender
-Failure to Maintain Correct Address on Identification Card
-Possession of Methamphetamine, (less than 10 grams)
-Possession of Drug Paraphernalia