On 8/20/2025 at approximately 9am a Deputy patroling the Appleton City/Rockville area observed a vehicle not displaying any license plates. The Deputy stopped the vehicle on 52 Highway east of Appleton City. The Deputy identified the driver as William “hubba” Phelps of Montrose, Missouri. The Sheriff and a UnderSheriff responded to the traffic stop to assist the Deputy.
The driver was requested to exit the vehicle. The Driver refused to exit the vehicle. At that time the Sheriff opened the passenger side of the vehicle and began to give additional directions of the driver to exit the vehicle. The driver then reached down behind his back and in the area of the console. Knowing the driver’s violent tendencies and fearing he was reaching for a gun, the Sheriff drew his weapon and began ordering the Phelps to comply. Phelps then picked up food and threw it in the Sheriff’s face. Phelps was extracted from the driver’s seat and began to resist and fight the Deputies.
After a struggle on the road, where the 3 deputies were assaulted, the deputies and K9 were able to place Phelps into handcuffs. As the deputies were attempting to place Phelps in the patrol car, he continued to resist and started pounding his head against the hood of the patrol car. As the Deputies moved around to the side of the patrol car he continued to kick and try to prevent the deputies from putting him in the car. During the incident Phelps attempted to kick the back window out of the patrol car and caused dents to the hood and side of the patrol car.
Phelps was transported to the Bates County Hospital to be medically cleared to be booked into the Jail.
A search of Phelps car revealed approximately 108 grams of methamphetamine.
During the traffic stop, the Sheriff’s Office received two separate calls in reference to a, “car wreck involving an elderly lady” just a mile away. A second call was place reporting that the car was now on fire. But the calling party was not able to give details that a real caller should have been able to provide had it been a real accident. Even though the deputies were confident the callers were attempting to draw them away from the traffic stop with Phelps and out of an abundance of caution, additional units responded to the area to determine the validity of the calls. As suspected, no accident was located.
“But what has been located, the identify, the phone carrier and vehicle description of the caller” says Sheriff Anderson. “I was born at night but it wasn’t last night. The funny part of it all, is the technology we have, captured all the evidence we need to file charges for those in coordinating with a career criminal like William “hubba” Phelps. The most ironic part, this case will also be reviewed by the US Attorney’s Office for prosecution and that will bring those who supported or attempted to help Phelps obstruct law enforcement, maybe included in a potential indictment.”
William Phelps has been charged with
Trafficking Drugs 2nd Degree Class B Felony
3 counts of Assault 2nd Degree Class B Felony (special victims)
Resisting Arrest for a Felony Class E Felony
Property Damage 1st Class E Felony
Bond was set at $250k cash only
