Kidnapping: New Jersey seeks governor's warrant to extradite suspects

Kidnapping suspects Douglas Stangeland, 46, of Nevada, and Andrew Wadel, 21, of Rich Hill, were scheduled to appear in a Miller County courtroom in Tuscumbia, Mo. on Wednesday, Feb. 10 for an extradition hearing in the matter concerning the Jan. 8 kidnapping of Jeffrey Muller, a New Jersey pet food dealer.

According to Miller County Prosecutor Matt Howard, the two never actually appeared, but "the court here extended the period of detainer for 60 days" in order to give New Jersey prosecutors time to obtain a governor's warrant allowing the extradition process to continue.

Howard said Stangeland and Wadel have acknowledged they are the individuals named in the fugitive warrant issued by the state of New Jersey, but neither man waived his extradition rights. Nevertheless, Howard went on to say, "they can waive at any time, in front of any judge."

The 60-day extension ordered by the court is about the same length of time it usually takes to obtain the governor's warrant. Miller County, where Stangeland, Wadel and Lonnie Swarnes were originally arrested and Jeffrey Muller rescued, has not formally filed any charges against the men, "but we may, yet," said Howard.

Assistant prosecutor Greg Mueller of Sussex County, N.J., said his office "is in the process of getting the governor's warrant... We want to get Wadel and Stangeland back here," he said. Mueller also acknowledged that it could take a few months.

Mueller also said that "as of right now, it looks like it's going to be prosecuted at the state level." He said the FBI is investigating but has not filed any charges, and Mueller noted that, "the New Jersey penalty is probably more severe." If convicted in that state, the men could receive a sentence of up to 30 years in prison and would have to serve 85 percent of that before becoming eligible for parole, according to Mueller.

Lonnie Swarnes remains in the Sussex County New Jersey jail on $750,000 bond. Mueller said a grand jury is being convened to determine if there is enough evidence to charge Swarnes. The grand jury consists of 23 citizens, 12 of whom "must find probable cause for an indictment" to be handed down, according to Mueller. If an indictment is handed down, a court date will be set, but the process may take three to four months; and "I'd be happy with that'" Mueller said.

The state of New Jersey may file more charges in the case. William Barger and Roy Slates, both arrested in Vernon County in connection with the alleged kidnapping could be charged. Mueller said the state of New Jersey "would have jurisdiction if they conspired to commit a crime, and the act occurred in New Jersey. They're under investigation, and if we feel we have enough evidence, we will charge them."

Stangeland, Wadel and Barger remain in the Vernon County jail with no bond. They are scheduled to appear in court before associate judge Neal Quitno on Feb. 18. Roy Slates remains free on a $5,000 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned in the Associate Circuit Court of Vernon County on Feb. 22.