Vienna man accused of dealing drugs near school grounds

Law enforcement officers arrest Patrick W. Stefanski, 51, Friday night at his Vienna, Mo., home, where he's suspected of selling illegal drugs. (Photo courtesy of Maries County Sheriff's Dept)

By News Tribune

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Police raided a Vienna man's home Friday night, arresting him on allegations that he was selling drugs at the residence located across from an elementary school playground.

Officers from the Maries County Sheriff's Department and the Lake Area Narcotics Enforcement Group arrested Patrick W. Stefanski, 51, at his home at 162 Highway 42 East. He was held in the county jail with bond set at $100,000.

Stefanski is charged with two felony counts of distributing a controlled substance near a school, according to Sheriff Chris Heitman.

Heitman said Stefanski's arrest completed a lengthy investigation, started in September of last year, during which undercover officers allegedly purchased "several hundred dollars worth" of the prescription painkiller Oxycontin from the suspect.

"I wanted to make sure that this investigation was completed prior to school going back in session," Heitman stated in a release about the case.

Deputies also arrested Kathleen A. Stefanski, 50, during the raid on suspicion of possessing additional controlled substances and drug paraphernalia. However, she was released pending a warrant application, Heitman reported.

The sheriff noted his officers investigated two cases last year of young adults dying from Oxycontin overdoses. He urged anyone with information about drug-related offenses to contact the sheriff's office at 573-422-3381, or the Lake Area Narcotics Enforcement Group's anonymous tip line at 1-800-351-TIPS.