Felony Drug Arrest Paul Hatfield Jr

Press Release
Subject: Felony Drug Arrest
Date: October 05, 2026

Arrest Details:

Arrested Individual: Paul R. Hatfield Jr, of Lewistown, Missouri
Arrest Date: September 30, 2026
Arrest Location: La Belle, Missouri
Arrest Agency: Lewis County Sheriff's Office
Charge: Possession of a Controlled Substance

Incident Background:

Date of Incident: September 30, 2026
Location: La Belle, Missouri
Time: 2:22 pm.

Details:

On September 30, 2026, at approximately 2:22 p.m., the Lewis County Sheriff's Office received information regarding suspicious activity at Johnson Park in La Belle, Missouri.

While reviewing security camera footage from the park, an individual observed Paul Hatfield Jr. and another male at the park pavilion rolling and smoking what appeared to be marijuana cigarettes. Hatfield was also observed placing marijuana into a black backpack before leaving the park eastbound on Main Street.

While patrolling the area, a Lewis County Sheriff's Deputy located Hatfield and two other individuals standing in a driveway.

Upon making contact with Hatfield, the Deputy detected the odor of marijuana coming from his person. Hatfield provided a valid medical marijuana card and produced a bag containing marijuana from the black backpack in his possession.

During the interaction, the Deputy observed Hatfield making movements inside the backpack that appeared consistent with attempting to conceal its contents. Hatfield initially stated there was nothing else inside the backpack.

A subsequent search of the backpack resulted in the discovery of a yellow zipper-style container. Inside the container was a plastic bag containing mushrooms believed, based upon the Deputy's training and experience, to be psilocybin mushrooms.

Based upon the totality of the circumstances, Hatfield was placed under arrest and transported to the Lewis County Sheriff's Office. Deputy Toby Moss subsequently submitted a formal request to the Lewis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office for the charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance.

On October 1, 2026, Lewis County Prosecuting Attorney Chelsea Fellinger filed formal charges alleging Hatfield committed Possession of a Controlled Substance, a Class D Felony.

Lewis County Associate Circuit Judge Corey Moon subsequently issued a warrant for Hatfield and set bond at $10,000 cash only.

Hatfield remains lodged in the Lewis County Jail at this time.

The Lewis County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

"All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law."

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 Contact Information:

 Lewis County Sheriff's Office
 Phone: 573-767-5287
 Website: www.lewiscosheriff.org