News : Search continues for missing teacher : Sidney Herald, Sidney, Montana

Search continues for missing teacher

Published on Monday, January 23, 2012 12:55 PM MST

Law enforcement is continuing the search for missing Sidney High School teacher Sherry Arnold.

“The FBI continues to investigate Ms. Arnold's disappearance,” FBI spokesperson Deborah Bertram told the Herald Monday morning. “Because we have an ongoing investigation, I cannot discuss what resources we are using or how many agents are involved.”

Two adult males from Parachute, Colo., Lester Vann Waters Jr., 47, and Michael Keith Spell, 22, are in custody in connection with this investigation. The two men are facing aggravated kidnapping charges and are being held in the Williams County, N.D., jail in the Sherry Arnold case.

“From the beginning, we've appreciated the public's assistance,” Bertram said. “The release we issued last Sunday requested landowners in three counties and extreme northeastern Montana search their properties. That’s the only request we have out right now.”

Law enforcement is requesting North Dakota property owners in Williams County, McKenzie County, Mountrail County, and extreme northeastern Montana check shelter belts and vacant farmsteads on their land for disturbed soil. The surrounding grassy area may also appear to be matted. A shelter belt is a line of trees that protects soil from the wind. Arnold’s body may be buried in a shelter belt that contains mature or rotted trees.

It is important to note, law enforcement is only requesting help from property owners and is not requesting volunteers to come search. Property owners are advised not to put themselves at risk. Property owners who discover something unusual are asked not to disturb the site and immediately contact the Williams County Law Enforcement Center at 701-774-9191.

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Comments

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of the Sidney Herald.

From ND wrote on Jan 31, 2012 11:29 AM:

" I googled 1992 Ford Explorers and found they come with so many different shades of blue, green and blue/green(?). Not to mention some are two door and some four. Some have tinted glass, standard tires, side panels, top racks and others don't. The pictures I looked at on-line showed them in so many varying combinations of features that I could never pick one out at a casual glance and know if was a 1992 or even a Ford until after looking at them on-line of course, and then I would still have to look close. But maybe that's cause I'm a girl and it's a guy thing to "zero in" on a make and year of every vehicle they see and "know". I would remember details like tinted windows, specific color, sunroof, if it's two or four door and such things. Some people might remember out of state plates and what the vehicle looked like but wouldn't know the year or make.
Authorities probably are keeping the vehicle info from the public to avoid false tips and wild goose chases. Maybe "Maybe" is right. "

also wrote on Jan 31, 2012 9:43 AM:

" The FBI has been known to fabricate facts--- "

Maybe wrote on Jan 31, 2012 8:32 AM:

" Maybe the reason they don't release the vehicle description is because they don't want people to automatically think "oh ya, I know I saw that" when they really haven't. The mind has a funny way of playing tricks on you in times like this and sometimes you think you've seen something you really haven't. It happens in cases all the time. It's the same reason they do lineups in cases instead of just bringing one guy in and saying is this the guy? It's way more relible evidence when they get someone to say they have seen a such and such vehicle driving by their house and have it match what the police already know the vehicle looks like. "

ND Girl wrote on Jan 30, 2012 2:05 PM:

" My heart goes out to the Arnold family, I can't imagine what they are going through but my prayers continue to go out to them. They say that hanging is still legal in Montana so get those boys back there and put a rope around their necks, I bet their memory of where they put her would come back real quick - just a thought!! "

MTnester wrote on Jan 30, 2012 8:50 AM:

" In regards to the vehicle that the suspects may have been using: The court records (the application for a court-appointed attorney) listed a 1992 Ford Explorer as an asset owned by Lester V. Waters. Also, in a comment left on another website, a Williston resident
said that the vehicle that was hauled away from a Williston restaurant by the police the day of the arrest was an older model Explorer, green or blue in color. Whether that is accurate or not is anyone's guess... Also, one might assume the vehicle carried Colorado license plates, but I don't think that information has been released yet. I don't understand why the law enforcement authorities have not made any reference to the model and color of the vehicle, as it could be valuable information which might spark somebody's memory of seeing that particular vehicle in a specific area. Unfortunately, we are left to wonder and speculate. "

Julie Dallas TX wrote on Jan 30, 2012 12:16 AM:

" Just wondering, since the two men that were arrested haven't disclosed the whereabouts of this precious wife, daughter, MOTHER, etc... have the authorities brought their Mother's or another influencial person in to plead with them? Her grieving family, friends and community need her back so they can give her a blessed and Godly memorial/funeral. They need to know so they can begin to grieve and go thru that journey. Our family is praying for Sherry's family and community.

Julie: born and raised in N.D. + "

williston resident wrote on Jan 29, 2012 8:04 PM:

" I have been searching for Sherry and have came up with nothing. I know our law enforcement is still searching they were just out Friday. I am not sure why they don't release the type of vehicle color, make, and model. The vehicle has Colorado plates. "

mazook wrote on Jan 28, 2012 8:55 PM:

" Time to put the "prayer chain" to work.Call the names on your list and see if they have been able to search their property,get a list of those that can not search themselves and permission for a group to search it for them. "

Newsflash wrote on Jan 28, 2012 4:38 PM:

" You are citizens, not detectives, and not sworn to secrecy, so you don't get to know what information is available to agents and detectives in an ongoing investigation.

If you want to, you can go down to Quantico, Virginia, and spend 4 months training to be an FBI agent. "

laurie jones wrote on Jan 28, 2012 10:31 AM:

" Oregon is Praying for Sherry and her family! "

remy wrote on Jan 27, 2012 8:39 AM:

" A tip from the public led to these two guys and then they tell the public that's all they need, except for farmers to check shelter belts. If this was my wife and her body was lying in a cold field somewhere, I would be going ballistic. These guys need to be put in a small room with Dirty Harry and we would find out real quick where her body was. "

An Observer wrote on Jan 26, 2012 4:00 PM:

" If the ground up there is frozen as hard as it is here in N. WY, I can't imagine them "burying" her anywhere. I would be more inclined to think she's in or under something. This has to be horrible for her family. My heart goes out to them. "

T. wrote on Jan 26, 2012 11:15 AM:

" You have to actually look for her in order to find her.In my opinion they messed up telling the public to not join the search.I think in this part of the country that is the only way to find Sherry. "

Concerned Teacher wrote on Jan 25, 2012 12:28 PM:

" I bet these guys were at one of the casinos. Casinos have cameras. Cameras point out to parking lots and roads. Perhaps if we knew a vehicle description the casino security cameras may get a glimpse of when they may have passed by. A timeframe to gauge travel on anyway. Service station cameras may also have a view of the road. Let the public help! "

dooley wrote on Jan 25, 2012 11:41 AM:

" i don't have any idea why there is no more information given ie. color of the suspect vehicle ?.. If a strange green or black or such vehicle drove on a road near my ranch I would remember a strange color vehicle better than what kind it was ,, as most all look alike anymore. As these guys are "charged" with kidnapping Sherry, there has to be some pretty good reason for it .. they had to say something, to make law men say to look in a tree claim .. there must be some more helpful information, that can be released, for local land owners to base a search on, you would think. ... Loose lips may sink ships, but they might help find Sherry if the info from those loose lips is pertanant and from an athority involved. "

Tara wrote on Jan 25, 2012 10:17 AM:

" Y r we listening to what the criminals say? Look everywhere! It amazes me that 5.0 would listen to the people that did the crime..those 2 couldn't care less about poor sherry so y would they tell as where she is? Please god lead the searchers to her and I wish I was there to help! "

on a drive wrote on Jan 25, 2012 9:03 AM:

" As I drove from Sidney to Williston this past weekend, all I could think was "wow there are a lot of old tree rows", and I wondered if all had been searched, and I felt very sad for Sherry's family knowing they were thinking the same thing every time they look at a tree row. Logic says, if they buried Sherry, it would have to be remote, with little traffic and good access. I somehow doubt they went into a pasture not knowing where a road might lead, I figure it must be somewhat visable and I am not sure they would have carried her far. I have wondered, if once the snow is gone, if cadaver dogs will be brought in to search! YES knowing the vehicle might help, and I know they have an idea and pictures, there must be some reason the FBI does not want to tell. "

playfair wrote on Jan 25, 2012 7:30 AM:

" I think they are being extra cautious in handling this case because they do not want these guys to walk. It does seem odd they cannot give more details but since the FBI are also involved it's not just the local authorities' decision. Interesting question by someone else was: do they have to get a search warrant for every property they search? Is that why they have asked landowners to help? Hope they find her soon. "

Smith wrote on Jan 24, 2012 11:25 PM:

" These law enforcers are not experienced in crime like this. Don't expect the farmers to lay down their tools to go on a search. They have a life too. Rely on Search and Rescue crews. They can go places and do things where law enforcement is restricted. I've seen it happen. Lots of people have seen a lot of things that they just haven't talked about. You just have to get out and ask them, and then start putting things together. "

Patricia wrote on Jan 24, 2012 2:19 PM:

" My heart goes out to the family at this awful time, I only hope that she will be found. Such a terrible shame ..
A UK reader. "

plates wrote on Jan 24, 2012 11:06 AM:

" what plates were on the vehicle--state??--what color is the vehicle--what year--what model--damaged???---2 weeks ago this would have been of great help--now????did these guys carry a shovel in it???--motels???--had to staying somewhere???compromise the investigation--i don'y think so--help -- yes very much--- "

Concerned 2 wrote on Jan 24, 2012 10:26 AM:

" Remy
You and I will just have to agree to disagree. You think I'm wrong, I know your wrong. Let's just leave it at that. "

be careful wrote on Jan 24, 2012 8:52 AM:

" --who know who will be next--but some preventive measures on every one part will be a big step in preventing this from happen again---one should feel safe and we all did feel a lot different a few short weeks ago--i have a feeling these two will be on the street shortly--this is the reason so few facts are given--- "

Farmer wrote on Jan 24, 2012 2:27 AM:

" Concerned is right about a few thing one being that alot of farmers are snow birds and go south for the winter. Therefore those farmsteads would not be searched.. I also dont feel that they have given the public enough info to help with this and it only makes people wonder if they have anything to go on. Our small community is not used to having such tragedys as this and our local police alot of them have been here for a long time and have never dealt with this kind of situation. I am sure they are doing all they can or capable of but is it enough. Certainly we dont want the responsible to walk away from this. Finding the body is vital to this case at this point.. Although I must admit I certainly give credit to Chief Of Police to call in the FBI,That was most honorable thing to do in this situation. We Just all keep praying that something is found and that justice is served... Not just by aggrivated Kidnapping but by the crime that they did ,, MURDER.. "

remy wrote on Jan 23, 2012 7:32 PM:

" Concerned 2, comments like yours suggest everyone sit back and relax and whatever happens, happens. These are people that are elected and paid to serve us and they need to be held accountable for their actions, especially in a case like this. They basically have told us nothing, except that they have charged two suspects with aggravated kidnapping and farmers need to search their shelter belts. Good luck with that. "

randy wrote on Jan 23, 2012 7:23 PM:

" Our sincere thanks to the local law enforcment, FBI and other 'teams' who are working diligently to bring this case to closure. Keep praying for Sherry's safe return.
We all need to understand that the law enforcement teams should not disclose too much information on the basis that the information could affect the outcome! Be patient and let the law enforcement agencies do their work! "

ERIC wrote on Jan 23, 2012 7:17 PM:

" The reason they are asking land owners is because they know their own land the best. And CONCERNED, you go strap on your duty belt and do your best to protect a community that on top of all this Arnold business still has to deal with the everyday crime happening. Law Enforcement is truly doing their best!! They are all very concerned about the family and want to bring them peace. CONCERNED, you get out there and do it if your so "concerned." Other wise please keep your mouth shut!!!!!!! "

a mom wrote on Jan 23, 2012 7:12 PM:

" Continued prayers for Sherry's return and her family and our community . We must have faith and pray !! "

countryfolk wrote on Jan 23, 2012 5:25 PM:

" I'm still not sure why we don't know, or the information as to what these two would have been driving, hasn't been released? Seems like that might have helped landowners and the public remember seeing that type of vehicle on a rural road,etc... especially as soon as arrested...info from the public might have helped figure out where or when they had been on the move? Seems like they must know what vehicle these guys would have had access to... "

concerned 2 wrote on Jan 23, 2012 4:14 PM:

" I would just like to say I am sure local law enforcement as well as the FBI are doing all they can. I hear a lot of people complaining about lack of faith in out local law enforcement and my advice to all of you is, If you know the job they are doing is so poor, maybe you need to be the one to change it. Instead of continiously complaining about local law enforcement maybe it is time for you to join the law enforcement team and show them how its done. Until than, maybe you shoud continue doing your job and let them continue doing there's! "

Randy S wrote on Jan 23, 2012 2:45 PM:

" Concerned - one problem is that when found, the site becomes a crime scene and evidence preservation is paramount to a sucessful prosecution. On the other hand, the longer it takes, the more the evidence may become compromised - it is a lose-lose situation. "

just wondering wrote on Jan 23, 2012 1:48 PM:

" I'm just wondering if the reason they requested help from landowners is because they can't legally search private property without a search warrant. Or can they go where ever they need to go without a warrant? To get a warrant for every old homestead site might be extremely restrictive. Praying constantly for Sherry's return. "

concerned wrote on Jan 23, 2012 1:24 PM:

" I have a hard time believing they can't say how many agents they are using and if they are actively searching. They should have asked for volunteers and set them up in two man teams and gave them a specified area to search. How many land owners have actually done any searching? There are a lot of absentee land owners in the area and there land isn't going to get searched. It's time to get some help before those two walk because of lack of evidence. If you are thinking I don't have any confidence in local law enforcement, you would be right. "

Praying... wrote on Jan 23, 2012 1:22 PM:

" Continued Prayers they find Sherry soon to bring her back "

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