MT. VERNON – Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies drove to Wichita, Kansas last week to return a 32-year-old man wanted in connection with an incident over the summer just north of Mt. Vernon.

According to Chief Deputy Blaine Uhls, deputies and the U.S. Marshal executed a search warrant on June 14 at a location on North Old Centralia Lane, but as law enforcement arrived at the location and blocked the gate, 32-year-old Rick Cull – who was not the target of the warrant – fled the scene in a newer white Ford pickup truck.

Uhls says Cull smashed through the woods, shredding pieces off the truck as he went. Cull was successful in his evasion, and while he did have an active warrant for his arrest in Missouri, he was able to avoid capture until last week in Kansas.

Deputies tracing Cull’s path through the woods, reportedly discovered a Ziploc baggie with a large amount of methamphetamine, as well as a handgun.

A Jefferson County warrant was ultimately issued for Cull’s arrest on charges of Class X felony armed violence, being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of less than 100 grams of meth.

He remains in the Jefferson County Jail to await the formal filing of charges and a decision on pretrial detention.