ORIGINAL

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF TEXAS COUNTY

STATE OF OKLAHOMA
XAS COUN
STATE OF OKLAHOMA )
)
5N->o^+-1 L
vs. ) sw
TEXAS C 't, APR

KNOW}{ DNA SAMPLE OF A

)
) FIL Etr) M Lts.
BUCCAL SWAB FROM AND )
DIGITAL PHOTOS TAKEN ) 15 202q
MAY
OF PAUL JEREMIAH GRICE ) M. RENEE ELLIS
COURT CLERT<
SPiNNED-idk-€,<ryotY-
AFFIDA\TT FOR SEARCH WARRANT

THE UNDERSIGNED PERSON, BEING DULY SWORN UPON HIS OATH,

DEPOSES AND STATES AS FOLLOWS:

I am Special Agent Jason Ott ofthe Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. I have been
a law enforcement officer in the States of Kansas and Oklahoma for approximately 27 years and
served in the capacity of an investigator for over 20 years. I have conducted an investigative
inquiry into the matter below regarding the above-named person and from these facts and
statements, report as follows:

THAT, your Affiant has probable cause to believe that in the above-listed person, known
as:
PAUL JEREMIAH GRICE
D.O.B.: O7a/r992
Hgt/Wgt: 508/188
SSN: Il]4989
DL: Ils098/oK
All within the County of Texas, State of Oklahoma" there is now being concealed certain
evidence, namely:

Known DNA sample of a buccal swab from and digital photos taken of PAUL
JEREMIAH GRICE.

All of which is subject to being laradrlly seized as evidence of the following crimes, to wit:

Count I o.s. $ 701 .7

21 Murder in the I st Degree
Cornt2 o.s. $ 701.7
21 Murder in the i st Degree
Count 3 21 o.s. s 741 Kidnapping
Count 4 21 o.s. $ 741 Kidnapping
Count 5 2l o.s. $e88 Conspiracy

FURTHER, YOUR AFFIANT STATES, IN SUPPORT OF THIS APPLICATION

AND FOR SHOWING THAT THERE IS PROBABLE CAUSE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A
SEARCH WARRANT, AS FOLLOWS:
FACTUAL BASIS:

On Saturday, March 30, 2024, the Texas County Sheriff s O1fice requested Oklahoma
State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) investigative services with the suspicious disappearance of
Veronica Butler (27) and Jilian Kelley (39) from rural Texas County after their vehicle was
found abandoned near Highway 95 and Road L South of Elkhart, KS. Butler and Kelley were
traveling to Oklahoma from Hugoton, Ks.

Interviews were conducted related to the disappearance and it was discovered that Butler
was in a problematic custody battle with Tifany Adams for the custody of Butler's two children.
The father of those children was Wrangler Rickman, Adams' son. Butler's visitation with her
children was court ordered to be supervised every Saturday. Adams had a particular person she
prelerred to supervise those visitations and that was Cheryl Brune. The court ordered Adams to
pay for Brune to supervise visits if that was who she wanted to be present, otherwise Butler was
to pay for the person to supervise. Adams said Brune was unavailable to supervise the visitation
on March 30,2024, so Butler was required to arrange the supervision with one of her three
approved individuals. Butler contacted Kelley olHugoton, KS and planned to have her supervise
the visit.

Butler told family members she was going to pick up her children from Adams at 1000
hours at Four Comers (Intersection of Highway 95 and US 64 West, a location in Texas County
OK). Butler and Kelley left Hugoton. KS and traveled to Highway 95 and Road L about 5 miles
north of Four Corners. Butler and Kelley arrived at that location at approximately 0940 hours.
Butler planned to bring her daughter to a birthday party but after they did not arrive, the family
began looking for Butler. Melissa and Joey Padilla, who were Butler's family members, located
Butler's abandoned vehicle just west of the intersection of Highway 95 and Road L. The Padiltas
then contacted law enforcement at 1209 hours. An examination of the vehicle and area
surrounding the vehicle found evidence of a severe injury. Blood was found on the roadway and
edge ofthe roadway. Butler's glasses were also found in the roadway south ofthe vehicle, near a
broken hammer. A pistol magazine was found inside Kelley's purse but no pistol was found.

Adams told OSBI that on Friday night (March 29,2024) Rickman and Butler's children
stayed the night with Barrett and Lacy Cook. Adams said she planned to pick them up that
moming before visitation. Adams said she called Butler at 0900 hours to confirm the meeting
and Butler told Adams something came up and she was not going to make it. Butler's phone
records confirmed the call occurred; however, at the time of the call, Butler was in Hugoton, Ks
in the process of picking Kelley up to go meet Adams. Adams stated she was home at the time
that Butler and Kelley went missing. Adams picked the children up before 1200, from the
Cook's residence.

OSBI interviewed Brune and she said she was available to supervise the visit that day but
Adams told her to take a couple of weeks olf from the visitation so Adams could question the
children related to how Butler's approved visitation supervisors were. Butler and Kelley's phone
records indicated their devices were actively sending signals to their carriers until approximately
0942 hours, after which the devices were no longer seen by the networks and stopped
transmitting. Neither phone was found at the scene or within the vehicle and they are currently
missing. Adams was the last known person to communicate with Butler and was scheduled to
meet Butler and Kelley for visitation at 1000 hours on March 30,2024.

2
 Through the child custody case, recordings were obtained where Rickman discussed
death threats by Adams and Adams' boyfriend, Tad Cullum. The custody battle began in
February of 2019 with many hearings and court appearances. On March 18,2024 and March 20,
2024, motions were filed requesting extended visitation lor Butler. A hearing was scheduled to
occur on April 17, 2024. Butler's attomey informed OSBI that Butler was likely to receive
unsupervised visitation with her children at that hearing. At times Adams refused to let Rickman
have his children, even though Rickman had legal custody of them. Law enforcement previously
responded to a call for service where Adams refused to give Rickman his children. Reportedly
the officer told Rickman he believed the children were better off in Adams' care.

Rickman's grandmother, Debi Knox-Davis, reported that in mid to late February 2024,
Rickman told her they didn't have to worry about the custody battle much longer because Adams
had it under control, that Adams knew the path the judge walked to work, and "we will take out
Veronica at drop off." Rickman was confirmed to be in a rehabilitation facility in Oklahoma
City, OK at the time of the disappearance. The children remain in the custody of Adams.
Rickman denied having told Knox that information.

On April l, 2024, OSBI agents obtained a search warrant for Adams cellular phone,
OSBI agents performed an extraction on the device. Information gained from the device
included web searches for taser pain level, gun shops, prepaid cellula phones and how to get
someone out of their house.

On April 3,2024, OSBI interviewed CW (age 16 years). CW is the daughter of Cora

Twombly and Coby White. Cora is married to Cole Twombly. CW stated that she had overheard
group conversations related to Butler not protecting her children from her brother, all in
reference to a sexual abuse allegation. CW advised that she was told by Cora that Adams,
Cullum, Cora, Cole, and Paul Grice were involved in the deaths of Butler and Kelley. She stated
that Adams had provided "bumer" phones to use so they could communicate without using their
personal devices. CW saw two "bumer" phones charging on Cora's nightstand in her bedroom.

CW described Cora, Cole, Adams, Cullum. and Paul Grice as being part of an anti-
govemment group that had a religious affiliation. Tkough OSBI investigation it was leamed
that they call their group, God's Misfits. Regular meetings are held weekly at Twombly's and the
home of Barrett and Lacy Cook.

CW was told on March 29.2024, that Cora and Cole would not be home in the moming
when she woke and were going to be on a "mission". When CW awoke at approximately 1000
hours, Cora and Cole were not home. but came home before or around 1200 hours. CW knew
that Cole and Cora took a blue and gray Chevrolet pickup owned by them and a blue flatbed
pickup, owned by Clint Twombly, when they left and retumed in the same vehicles. Cenzie was
told to clean the interior of the Chevrolet pickup. CW asked Cora what had happened and was
told that things did not go as planned, but that they would not have to worry about her (Butler)
again. CW asked about Kelley and why she had to die and was told by Cora that she wasn't
innocent either, as she had supported Butler. CW asked Cora if their bodies were put in a well,
and Cora replied. "something like that". CW also disclosed that other attempts to kill Butler
occurred during February of 2024, near Hugoton, Ks, in which Adams, Cullum, and Cora went
to Hugoton, but Butler did not leave her residence, this is consistent with the web search
discovered on Adams' phone about how to get someone out oftheir house. CW stated that Cora
told her that the plan to kill Butler in Kansas was to get in front ofher while she was driving and
3
to throw an anvil through her vehicle windshield. The thought was that anvil's fall off work
trucks regularly in the area.

OSBI investigation showed that ADAMS purchased three pre-paid cellular phones from
Wal-Mart in Guymon, OK on February 13,2024. The phones were identified by phone numbers
(620) 4l'7-5752, (806) 390-9141 and (806) 390-9085. Search warrants for information related to
location services and phone usage were completed for each device. It was leamed that all three
phones were at the area where BUTLER'S car was located and the last known location of
BUTLER and KELLEY, at the time ol their disappearance. After their disappearance, between
1016 and 1035 hours, it was determined that phone numbers (620) 417-5752 and (806) 390-9085
were at a property owned by JAMIE BEASLEY, below a dam, in the pasture, where fresh dirt
work was located by your affiant. Concrete was moved from a location near BEASLEY'S
residence, approximately 150-200 yards to below the dam, where it was discovered that a hole
had been dug and filled back in. It is believed by your affiant that the moved concrete is in the
hole. The location where BUTLER and KELLEY disappeared from and where BUTLER'S
vehicle was located is approximately 8.5 miles away from the location below the dam on
BEASLEY'S property, giving drive time from the location of where BUTLER'S vehicle was
located to BEASLEY'S property, well within the 34 minutes between the time of
BULTER/KELLEY'S phones stopping transmission and pre-paid phone numbers (620) 417-
5752 and (806) 390-9085 arriving at the dam on BESLEY'S property. All pre-paid phones
stopped transmitting on the moming of March 30,2024 at locations near Twombly,s residence
and Beasley's property.

OSBI leamed that Grice, Cullum and Adams had cellular phone conversations amongst
each other on March 30,2024, in the moming hours, prior to the disappearance of Butler and
Kelley. Grice and Cullum were together at Grice's home, after the disappearance, after 1100
hours on the same day.

OSBI investigation showed that Adams had searched for gun shops on her cellular phone.
A search of local gun shops showed Adams buying five stun guns at the Big R store in Guymon,
Ok. The purchase was made on March 23,2024.

On April 13, 2024, a search warrant was executed at Beasley's property and an
excavation ofa possible burial site was commenced. On April 14,2024, the hole was excavated.
The bodies of Butler and Kelley were located. In the hole dug by law enforcement, after the
bodies were removed, personal items were located. These items did not belong to Butler or
Kelley. This information was not released to the public.

On April 13,2024, when Cullum was arrested at his home, Grice was present with him.
Grice was spoken to by FBI agents and it was observed that he had a bandaged right pinky
finger. Grice stated that he had cut it working on his pickup.

On April 18,2024, an interview was conducted with Chad pate, who told your affiant
Grice came to his house on April 17,2024, and asked about several things to include, how long it
would take the state lab to process DNA evidence, how long DNA would tast in dirt, how long
DNA would last on clothing in the dirt in a 15 feet deep hole, if DNA would survive in dirt if it
was being "chumed" and if the source knew how to get a "guy and his family" into Mexico.
Grice told Pate that he was concemed about his DNA being in the hole that Butler and Kelley
were found in, because he had been to the Twombly residence.

1
 Your affiant received a tip on April 19,2024. from Caleb Roberts, who stated that he saw
Grice on March 30 and 31.2024. with a bandaged right hand. Grice stated that he had cut it
while cutting fencing.

Your affiant wishes to take a known DNA sample from Grice and to take digital
photographs of Grice and any injuries to compare to different pieces of evidence collected
throughout the investigation, for evidence ofthe crimes above-listed.

lo
Subscribed and swom to before me- the unders igned Judge, this 23 day of April, 2024 at
ll:J I am/pn.

Judge
/ Ur(k
ofthe Distict Court (

Recommendation by District Attomey

I recommend that a warrant be issued.

District 's Offi

Bv:

5
-</
ORIGINAL

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF TEXAS COUNTY

STATE OF OKLAHOMA
XAS COUN'T
STATE OF OKLAHOMA )
)
A^t ->oa*-l LE
vs TEXAS
)
) FI M. R
AP

S
KNOWN DNA SAMPLE OF A ) C
BUCCAL SWAB T'ROM AND ) MAY 15 2024 B
DIGITAL PHOTOS TAKEN ) ,M. RENEE ELLIS
OF PAUL JEREMIAH GRICE ,
) COURT CLERK
E*,qn.g11m-JgD+uV--
SEARCH WARRANT

To any Sheriff, Deputy, Peace Officer, Constable, Marshal, police Officer, Highway
Patrolman, Agent of the oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, Agent of the oklahoma
Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, or other law enforcement officer thereof. in the
County of Texas, State of Oklahoma:

Proof having been made before me, by swom Affidavit by oSBI Special Agent Jason
Ott, that he had reason to believe DNA evidence will be located within the person described
below:

PAUL JEREMIAH GRICE

D.O.B.: 07L11992
HgVWgt: 508/188
SSN: I+sss
DL: tsosslor
THAT, your Affiarif'has probable cause to believe that in the person, aboveJisted, the
following evidence ma! be{ound:

Known DNA sample of a buccal swab from and digitat photos taken of pAUL
JEREMIAH GRICE.

All of which is subject to being lawfully seized as evidence of the following crimes, to wit:

Count 1 2l O.S. $ 701.7 Murder in the 1st Degree

Count 2 21 O.S. $ 701.7 Murder in the 1st Degree
Count 3 21 O.S. $ 741 Kidnapping
Count 4 2l O.S. $ 741 Kidnapping
Count 5 2l O.S. $988 Conspiracy

THEREFORE' I am presently satisfied that there is probable cause to believe that the
item, so described; is presently located on the above-described person and that the foregoing
grounds for the issuance of this Search Warrant does exist.
;t
B
I

YOU ARE FURTHER COMMANDED to search the above-described person for the
item, so described, serve a copy of the Warrant upon the owner and operator of the property, and
make a return of the items seized pursuant to this Warrant within ten (10) days of this date.

Dated tnis Z|-aay of April ,2024,at l/:3Q amlpm.

JUDGE OF THE
tu COURT
SEARCH WARRANT RETURN XAS COUN
THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA
3ru-ao ++-7 L
COLINTY OF TEXAS
)
) swW- APR
) M. S
c
The following described property was seized under this warrant On Api,l23,2024.

TEXAS COUN-rY
From the person. described as:
FILED
PAUL JEREMIAH GRICE
DOB: |'lAY 15 2024
07tt411992
HGT/WGT: 508/188
SSN: t5r=Ar=E.=t,-''
I-4989 Sfirvrv"r-larBeputr
DL: FSOSSIoT
The following items were seized:

1. Warrant not served/Nothing seized

I, Special Agent Jason Ott, advise that this warrant was not executed and do swear that the above
inventory is a true and detailed account ofthe items taken by authori ty ofthe warrant

Affiant
Subscribed and swom to before me or115is 2b day of .lP*, - 2024

Judge of the District Co