On Thursday, Feb. 15, just after 7 a.m., Barton County Sheriff’s Office detectives and deputies executed two search warrants in the city of Great Bend and one just south of the city. The location of the warrants were 1411 2nd St., 2421 12th St. and 166 S. US 281. The warrants were executed simultaneously and resulted in three people being arrested. The searches resulted in the seizure of approximately three pounds of crystal methamphetamine, approximately 100 fentanyl tablets, fentanyl powder, marijuana as well as Psilocybin mushroom.
At the South US 281 location, Sheriff’s officers seized approximately one ounce of methamphetamine as well as several firearms. Arrested at that location was Richard Buess, age 62. Buess was charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and criminal use of weapons. He has since posted a $50,000 bond and has been released.
Two persons were arrested at 1411 2nd Street. Shelley Maynard, age 62, was booked on requested charges of two separate charges of distribution of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school, distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl and criminal use of a firearm. Her bond is set at $300,000. Also arrested on 2nd Street was Shawn Messick, age 40. Messick was booked on requested charges of three separate counts of distribution of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school. Each charge had a bond set of $100,000.
No one was present at the third location on 12th Street. No items were seized or arrests made at that address.
The search warrants were the culmination of an investigation that lasted several weeks conducted by Sheriff’s Office detectives. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted in the execution of the warrants by officers from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks as well as the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation is ongoing.