Felony Tampering Arrest of Everette Gooden
Press Release
Subject: Felony Tampering Arrest
Date: October 22, 2026
Arrest Details:
Arrested Individual: Everette B. Gooden, of Midwest, OK
Arrest Date: October 18, 2026
Arrest Location: Canton, Missouri
Arrest Agency: Lewis County Sheriff's Office
Charge: DWI, Tampering 1st and MVI
Incident Background:
Date of Incident: October 18, 2026
Location: Canton, Missouri
Time: 1:11 am
Details:
On October 18, 2026, at approximately 1:11 a.m., the Lewis County Sheriff's Office responded to Culver-Stockton College in reference to a reported traffic crash involving a vehicle near a pond.
Upon arrival, Deputy Steven Battaglia located a silver Toyota Tacoma stuck on a grassy hillside near the pond. Deputy Battaglia made contact with the driver, identified as Everette Mr. Gooden, who displayed several indicators of alcohol impairment, including bloodshot and watery eyes, slurred speech, unsteady balance, and a strong odor of intoxicants.
During the investigation, Mr. Gooden admitted to consuming alcohol and operating the vehicle. Deputies also learned that Mr. Gooden had allegedly operated the vehicle without the owner's permission.
A search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of an open container of beer, an empty liquor bottle, and an additional bottle of liquor. Further investigation revealed that the Tacoma had struck a parked vehicle before coming to rest near the pond.
Mr. Gooden was taken into custody and transported to the Lewis County Sheriff's Office, where a chemical breath test indicated a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.175, more than twice Missouri's legal limit of 0.08 for drivers age 21 and older.
On October 18, 2026, Lewis County Prosecuting Attorney Chelsea Fellinger filed formal charges against Mr. Gooden for Tampering with a Motor Vehicle in the 1st Degree, a Class D Felony; Driving While Intoxicated, a Class B Misdemeanor; and Minor Visibly Intoxicated, a Class D Misdemeanor.
That same day, the Honorable Corey Moon, Associate Circuit Judge of Lewis County, issued an arrest warrant for Mr. Gooden with a bond set at $10,000 cash only.
On October 19, 2026, Judge Moon granted Mr. Gooden release on his own recognizance (O/R bond), with a promise to appear for his next scheduled court date of November 2, 2026.
"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
