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Man who allegedly instigated home invasion, kidnapping faces charges
On Thursday, Feb. 4, Roy Allen Slates, 55, of Nevada, turned himself in to the Vernon County Sheriff's Office in response to two felony complaints filed in the Circuit Court of Vernon County relating to the Nov. 9, 2009, home invasion in northern Vernon County and the Jan. 8, 2010, kidnapping of a New Jersey man.
The felony complaint charges Slates with one count of the class D felony of concealing a felony offense and one count of the class D felony of hindering prosecution. Both charges stem from statements made by Douglas Stangeland and Andrew Wadel during the course of investigation following the failed kidnapping attempt of pet food dealer, Jeffrey Muller of Newton, N.J.
Court documents state that Stangeland and Wadel told investigators that "Slates knew about the home invasion and shooting at Charles Scammell's residence." Stangeland and Wadel also allege that Slates told them of some money he was owed by Scammell, and William Barger, acting on the behalf of Douglas Stangeland, Lonnie Swarnes and Andrew Wadel struck a deal with Slates for the four men to retrieve the money Slates had lost.
Slates agreed to give the group 25 percent of any money recovered. This, according to court documents, is "what led up to Charles Scammell being shot and Jeffrey Muller being kidnapped in Newton, N. J." Stangeland also told investigators that "Slates had given Barger $10,000 in cash to finance the trip to New Jersey."
While investigating the home invasion, officers interviewed Slates on Dec. 31 and Slates did not advise law enforcement that he was aware of who participated in the earlier incident. Slates' refusal to provide this information, according to court documents, "actually caused another crime to be committed as to where another person was kidnapped and assaulted."
By the middle of January, Slates "knew what was taking place," according to Vernon County Sheriff Ron Peckman. "He tried to get out of it, but he was in too deep."
On Jan. 15, Slates voluntarily reported to the sheriff's office for an interview, during which "He filled in some blanks for us," said Peckman.
During the interview, Slates admitted to telling Barger and Stangeland about the business deal with Scammell and offering them 25 percent of any money recovered.
The court papers say that Slates also admitted knowing "who was involved in and committed the home invasion and shooting at Scammells'," and giving the cash to Barger to continue the attempt at collecting the money he says he lost on the deal.
Slates surrendered at the Vernon County Sheriff's Office on Feb. 4. He was booked on the two felony charges and posted a $5,000 bond, according to Peckman. Barger, Stangeland and Wadel remain in the Vernon County Jail with no bond. Stangeland and Wadel are scheduled to appear in a Miller County Mo. courtroom on Feb. 10 for an extradition hearing that could see them ordered back to New Jersey.
All three men are scheduled to appear in court in Vernon County later in the month.
Lonnie Swarnes waived extradition and has already been returned to New Jersey, where he has been charged with kidnapping.
Charles Scammell declined to comment on the new information in the case, and a phone number could not be located for Slates.