William Sanders (Photo courtesy of Howell County Sheriff’s Office)
A Howell County man is accused of holding two teenagers on a hunting trip at gunpoint and forcing them in his camper. Thirty-nine-year-old William Michael Sanders was booked into the Howell County Adult Detention Center on multiple felonies.
According to the Howell County Sheriff’s Office, the two teen males made a report Sept. 17 that they were bowhunting the previous day. They returned to their truck on County Road 1300, north of West Plains, around 7:45 that evening when they reportedly observed an unknown male in their rearview mirror holding a gun. The suspect allegedly demanded their names and ordered them out of the vehicle with their hands raised.
The male reportedly held the teens at gunpoint and asked for their IDs. After holstering his gun, he allegedly threatened them with a knife and insisted they walk to his camper. After being held at the location against their will for a short time, the suspect’s friend and mother reportedly arrived, and the teens were allowed to leave.
Investigators were later able to identify Sanders as their suspect. A search warrant was executed the next day, and a BB gun and a large knife were located. An interview was later conducted, resulting in Sanders’ arrest.
Sanders is facing two counts of second-degree kidnapping and one count each of armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon, and he also has a parole detainer.
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