Brothers charged for conspiracy to deliver drugs to county jail in Missouri
BUTLER, Mo. (KCTV) - One brother remains on the run while the other has been furloughed following an alleged conspiracy to deliver marijuana to the Bates County Jail.
The Bates County Sheriff’s Office says that investigators were notified on April 18, 2025, by Courthouse Security that a small bag filled with a “green leafy substance,” later identified as marijuana, had been found in the elevator. The bag was wrapped in tape and stuck to the inside of a handrail.
Security footage of the elevator revealed that a suspect with no legitimate reason to be at the courthouse, as the man’s family member was not due in court until later that day, had been in the elevator. He told security he was there to speak to the court clerk; however, he never even attempted to make contact with the clerk.
During the investigation, law enforcement officials said a call to the jail was intercepted between Ryan and Cole Gabriel. The conversation was about the transfer of marijuana from Ryan to Cole while in the custody of the jail.
During the conversation, investigators said Ryan told Cole he could find the “green” in the corner of the elevator and bragged about its quality. Ironically, Cole had been in court that day to seek a furlough for drug treatment.
After the conspiracy came to light, the Sheriff’s Office noted that a Judge denied the furlough request and revoked the bonds on Cole’s other pending charges. Prosecutors have filed additional charges against him for the attempted delivery of a controlled substance to a jail.
Law enforcement officials indicated that Cole’s bond was later set at $4,500, and he was given a furlough to seek drug treatment. Charges of attempting to deliver a controlled substance to a jail and delivery of 35 grams or less of marijuana have been filed against Ryan. His bond has been set at $100,000.
As such, the Sheriff’s Office said Ryan - who is on parole from prison for stealing and the unlawful use of a firearm - remains wanted on his charges. A fugitive task force is expected to be sought for his arrest.
“The County has invested heavily in technology to combat the smuggling of drugs in our Jail. Last year, the Sheriff’s Office purchased a $120,000 full-body scanner to scan those who leave for court or are newly booked in. This year, we purchased a $60,000 handheld x-ray to assist in cell searches. The Sheriff’s Office has a K9 unit for the purpose of jail cell searches and is also utilized in the schools because it can detect marijuana, where, due to the legalization of marijuana, the patrol dogs are not trained in that scent.” Says Sheriff Anderson. “I am the first person to try and understand the need for a balance between putting someone in jail for addiction and facilitating them getting treatment. We are one of the first Sheriff’s Offices in Missouri that employs a person whose sole purpose is to help people and their families find resources. But I do think there has to be a hard line from our community, our judicial system and law enforcement when it comes to second, third and fourth chances to change. Without that teamwork, Law Enforcement will continue to lose this battle. We look forward to working with the courts when it comes to furloughs and treatments to seek successful outcomes.”
No further information has been released.
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