Midwest Petroleum President Charged With Illegal Possession of Gambling Devices

Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney Matthew Becker has filed charges against James McNutt, president of Midwest Petroleum, which owns the Phillips 66 Convenience Store, 513 North Service Rd. West, with three misdemeanor counts of possession of a gambling Device in Franklin County.

The charges stem from an investigation that resulted in several gambling machines' seizure on Tuesday, October 13. 

McNutt, who is President of Midwest Petroleum, and resides in St. Louis, has been with the company for more than 10 years and has climbed the company's ranks, serving as president since 2017. He previously was chief operating officer from 2012-2015.

Law enforcement transported the devices to Jefferson City, where they were inspected, and the investigation continued.

Charges were filed on November 16, with arraignment scheduled for McNutt on February 2, 2021, before Judge David L. Hoven, at 9 a.m. at Franklin County Courthouse, Division 6.

Becker could not comment on the case due to the pending litigation.  Every person is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Some area stores that also had machines of this nature in their facilities, have since pulled the games. Others remain at press time.

We will have more on this developing story in the December 9, 2020 edition of the Sullivan Independent News.