The following is a press release from the Audrain County Sheriff’s Department sent out on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
On July 24, 2023, we received multiple reports of vehicles being gone through and items being stolen from vehicles during the previous overnight hours in the Benton City area of Audrain County.
On October 5, 2023, a citizen crime tip was passed to our office by the Mexico Department of Public Safety regarding these reported incidents. Subsequent follow-up investigations conducted by Sheriff’s Deputies led to stolen property being recovered and the identification of the persons responsible for the thefts.
Additionally, during the active investigation a search was conducted of one of the suspects cellular telephones which yielded evidence of the thefts, uncovered several images and videos of child pornography and evidence of the distribution of Fentanyl to an area minor.
As a result of the investigation, Audrain County Prosecuting Attorney Jacob Shellabarger has charged the following individuals:
1.) Jerry Russel Helton, age 18, of Mexico with felony stealing of a firearm, felony stealing, three counts of tampering with the property of another in the second degree, and two counts of misdemeanor stealing.
2.) Kaden Dean Baugh, age 19, of Mexico with felony stealing of a firearm, felony stealing, three counts of tampering with the property of another in the second degree, two counts of misdemeanor stealing.
Baugh was additionally arrested for four counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, four counts of Possession of Child Pornography, Distribution of a Controlled Substance to a Minor and Endangering the Welfare of a Child Involving Drugs.
Baugh and Helton are currently held in the Audrain County Jail on No Bond Arrest Warrants.