Man Arrested for Montrose Motel Incident was Using False Name

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Published on July 12 2018 8:52 am
Last Updated on July 12 2018 9:59 am
Written by Greg Sapp

The man arrested after a domestic battery incident at a Montrose motel and subsequent pursuit through four counties Sunday has been found to have been using a false identity.

The Effingham County Sheriff's Department said the man who identified himself as Edward Gale Nelson has actually been found to be 44-year-old Merl D. Wheeler of Montrose. The Sheriff's Office made the positive identity of Wheeler on Wednesday.

Wheeler was charged locally after the Sunday incident with two counts of aggravated domestic battery and a charge of aggravated fleeing a police officer by traveling at speeds more than 21MPH over the speed limit.

Wheeler has been found to be wanted on a warrant out of Adair County, Missouri for a probation violation for trafficking in drugs and attempted trafficking in drugs, as well as a Knox County, Missouri warrant charging four counts of possession of controlled substance, and two counts of stealing a credit card or letter of credit.

Wheeler is in custody at Effingham County Jail.

Bond for Wheeler on the local charges has been set at $400,000. He is next due in court on August 2.