After meth 'bender,' man smeared with spit and snot arrested at Missouri truck stop

A man found asleep and snoring in a restaurant booth at an Oak Grove truck stop is now facing federal drug and firearm charges.

James Pettus, 39, was arrested Monday inside the Iron Skillet restaurant at the Petro truck stop after police were called because he could not be awakened.

Oak Grove police reported that Pettus was snoring loudly and his face and arms were "covered in saliva and snot," according to an affidavit filed in federal court.

It took officers "many attempts" to wake him. When they did, he refused to provide identification. When asked who the president was, he answered "Bush."

Police called for an ambulance to check him out, but while waiting, Pettus pulled a knife from his pocket and opened it. There was a brief struggle before he was handcuffed.

When they searched Pettus, officers found a loaded .45-caliber handgun in his waistband and a bag in his pocket containing about 42 grams of methamphetamine, according to the affidavit.

Because he is a convicted felon, it is illegal for Pettus to possess a firearm.

After his arrest, he told police that he had been on a methamphetamine-fueled "bender" for a week. He also told officers he had been involved in trafficking methamphetamine.

He is now charged in U.S. District Court in Kansas City with possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm while trafficking in drugs.

This story was originally published May 23, 2018 at 9:54 AM with the headline "After meth 'bender,' man smeared with spit and snot arrested at Missouri truck stop."