Recently, the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control investigative unit was requested to investigate the alleged possession of stolen property by a former Ripley County Sheriff’s Office employee. The suspect, Michael Barton, is the former Sheriff of Ripley County. On Firday a search warrant was served at Mr. Barton’s residence. Firearms located at the residence were compared against a list of missing firearms from the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office evidence locker and seized. Two vehicles and other electronic equipment were also seized.