Butler, MO – December 11, 2025 – The Bates County Sheriff’s Office successfully completed "Operation Snowflake" on December 11, 2025, a concentrated enforcement effort targeting criminal activity and outstanding felony warrants within Bates County.
The operation commenced at approximately 2:00 PM and was executed by a joint team of approximately 40 law enforcement personnel, including 20 members of the Bates County Sheriff’s Office and 20 members of the Midwest Missouri Career Criminal and Drug Taskforce (MMCCDTF). The primary objectives of "Operation Snowflake" were targeted traffic and drug enforcement, along with the apprehension of subjects with outstanding felony warrants.
The following agencies participated and provided critical support for the operation:
Missouri Highway Patrol
Adrian Police Department
Butler Police Department
Rich Hill Police Department
Operation Results:
The operation yielded significant results across the county:
Traffic Enforcement: 45 traffic stops were conducted.
Warrant Enforcement: 29 residential locations were contacted in attempts to locate individuals with outstanding warrants.
Arrests: A total of nine (9) subjects were arrested on outstanding felony warrants.
Community Engagement: Officers conducted foot patrols and engaged with neighbors at a location in Hume, which had been identified as a high nuisance/drug location, successfully building positive relationships with the community.
Calls for Service: The operation generated a total of 89 calls for service class cards.
ICAC Investigation Update:
During the operation, local investigators and members of the Western Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce (WMICAC) attempted to serve a search warrant at a Butler residence connected to an ICAC case. New information was obtained indicating the subject no longer resided at the location. Investigators located the subject at a different address, and the individual was cooperative, consenting to a search of electronic devices. At the time of this release, no evidence of a crime was found, and no charges are expected.
"This was the 3rd of such operation in the MMMCCDTF service area this year. I would like to say Thank You to those local agencies who helped us but aren't yet members of the Task Force. It is great to see such cooperation within Bates County and colaboration of each county to combat drugs and career criminals" Say Sheriff Anderson
Task Force Information:
Midwest Missouri Career Criminal & Drug Taskforce (MMCCDTF): A cooperative effort between the Sheriff’s Offices of Bates, Barton, Cedar, Dade, Henry, St. Clair, and Vernon Counties, dedicated to combating career criminals and drug activity across west-central Missouri.
Western Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce (WMICAC): Comprised of law enforcement agencies from Cass, Johnson, Bates, Henry, Saline, Lafayette, and Pettis Counties. WMICAC operates in coordination with the Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce (“MOICAC”) to investigate and prevent crimes involving the exploitation of children online.