Maries County Sheriff offers reward in heroin overdose case

Maries County Sheriff Chris Heitman is offering a reward as his department investigates a heroin overdose case.

Dillon Barton, 24, died Thursday evening at his residence in Belle. Heitman said responding deputies attempted to revive Barton with CPR but were unsuccessful. According to Heitman, Barton was an honor student at Belle High School and attended Missouri S&T in Rolla after high school.

"Let this be a warning to the drug dealer who sold this 'bad batch' of heroin to this young man; I will use every legal means possible to see that you face the consequences of your actions," Heitman said on the sheriff's department Facebook page Saturday. "In fact, I am offering a $500 reward of my personal money for information leading to your arrest and conviction. I will also attempt to raise additional funds to increase that reward until you are caught!

"I realize Dillion chose to use this deadly drug, and he unfortunately paid for that decision with his life," Heitman continued. "This drug dealer chose to sell it to him and, in our opinion, are among society's worst predators as they prey on others during times of weakness and despair. Under Missouri law that drug dealer has committed murder in the second degree."

Anyone with information that could help in the investigation is asked to contact Heitman or Detective Scott John at 573-422-3381.