On April 6, 2023, a Lewis County Deputy assisted a La Grange Police Department Officer on a traffic stop conducted in La Grange, Missouri.  During course of the stop, firearms were located inside the vehicle and both occupants admitted to being convicted felons.  Based on that information, both subjects were taken into custody and transported to the Lewis County Jail.

Prosecuting Attorney Chelsea Fellinger filed formal charges seeking warrants for both subjects.  Curtis D. Abell, age 61 , of Ewing, Missouri and Thomas L. Butler, age 54, of Maywood, Missouri were formally charged with 2 counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, both class D felonies.  The warrants were issued by the Honorable Corey Moon, Associate Judge of Lewis Co.

 Bond was set at $10,000 cash or surety for each subject. Both remain incarcerated at this time.

***** All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. *****