STL Major Case Squad guidelines and arrest of wanted Barnhart man

(Hillsboro, Barnhart) The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis was activated after a homicide took place on Monday in Barnhart. Captain Gary Higginbotham with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office also serves as a Commander with the Major Case Squad. He says the group is comprised of several police officers in many different agencies.

Captain Higginbotham says the group is primarily called into action when an investigation needs to move quickly.

As a result of the investigation of the Major Case Squad, 29-year old Christopher Sokolic Jr. of Barnhart was taken into custody and charged Murder in the 1st Degree and Armed Criminal Action in the death of 40-year old Zachary Tripp of Festus. Sokolic was taken into custody early Tuesday morning and is being held in the Jefferson County Jail without bond.