By David Lohr
(Continued)
Investigators learned that Shamaia was last seen getting into a pick up truck owned by 56-year-old Kenneth J. Otto Sr., a regular customer of Kahoots. When questioned by authorities, Otto admitted giving Shamaia a ride, but he insisted that he had dropped her off at the club, and then went home to bed.
As part of their investigation, police seized Otto's pickup truck. The investigation into Otto may have stalled there; however, when authorities looked at Otto's cell phone records, they discovered that his phone had been used in Stafford at the same time he claimed to be at his house in Ellington. They also discovered that Otto owned a 75-acre wooded parcel in Stafford. The fact that Otto's phone had been used in the same area as a vacant property that he owned raised more than one eyebrow.
 |
| Search for Smith |
Otto consented to a search of his Stafford property on April 8; however, police say that he withdrew his consent when he learned that police wanted to use cadaver dogs. Otto's lawyer, Richard Brown, denies his client revoked his consent, and maintains that authorities were welcome to search to the property. Regardless of whether consent was given, investigators did not complete their search of the property, and, instead, returned the following week with a search warrant.
 |
| Stafford Conn. Map |
Investigators began their search on April 16. For four days, they carefully explored the property with dogs and police personnel, and they used heavy machinery. What, if anything, was found is unknown. Police would say only that the investigation was ongoing.
Next Page
Previous Page
For more daily crime news
default
increase
decrease
email
print
