Park Hills man arrested on multiple felonies in diesel fuel theft investigation
Donald Barry “Gus” McKinney’s booking photo provided courtesy of the St. Francois County Detention Center.
A Park Hills man has been arrested on multiple felony charges following an investigation into the theft of dyed diesel fuel from railroad locomotives in the St. Louis region.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control (MSHP/DDCC) announced the arrest of Donald Barry McKinney, 50, on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, for receiving stolen property, tampering with physical evidence in a felony prosecution, and resisting arrest for a felony.
According to a probable cause statement filed in St. Francois County Circuit Court, investigators received an anonymous tip on Dec. 8, 2025, alleging that Donald “Gus” McKinney had been stealing diesel fuel from railroad locomotives for 10 to 15 years. The tipster told authorities McKinney worked for The Prairie Line Railroad Company, based in St. Louis, and routinely traveled to rail yards in St. Louis and East St. Louis using a white enclosed trailer to siphon fuel from locomotives into a large internal tank.
The informant further alleged McKinney sold the stolen fuel to acquaintances in St. Francois and Washington counties and recalled seeing him transport red- or brown-colored liquid — consistent with dyed diesel fuel — as far back as 2015, using flatbed trailers equipped with large plastic containers.
Investigators later confirmed McKinney owned a 2017 GMC Sierra 2500HD pickup truck and a 2018 Diamond cargo trailer, both registered in Missouri. A review of license plate reader (LPR) data showed the trailer made at least five trips from Park Hills to the St. Louis area and back between Nov. 16 and Dec. 9, 2025, according to court records.
The same data indicated the trailer routinely traveled to multiple locations within St. Francois and Washington counties after returning from the St. Louis area, leading investigators to believe the fuel may have been distributed locally.
During surveillance near McKinney’s residence, investigators observed the Diamond cargo trailer parked near a detached garage. An extension cord was seen running from the garage to the trailer, which investigators believed could indicate the use of a fuel heater to prevent diesel fuel from gelling in cold weather. A Drug and Crime Control investigator also reported a strong diesel fuel odor while walking past the trailer.
Later that day, investigators contacted the Terminal Railroad Police Department in St. Louis to coordinate the investigation. While no recent fuel thefts had been reported in that jurisdiction, Terminal Railroad police began tracking McKinney’s truck and trailer using LPR databases and other surveillance systems in Missouri and Illinois.
Authorities said that tracking revealed a consistent travel pattern to the Alton & Southern River Yard in Sauget, Illinois. Investigators located tire tracks and other signs of recent vehicle activity in a muddy pathway between railroad tracks in an area marked with “No Trespassing” signs, court documents state.
Terminal Railroad police later deployed a covert surveillance camera in the area as part of the ongoing investigation.
According to court records, investigators began looking into McKinney in December 2025 after learning he was suspected of stealing dyed diesel fuel while employed in the railroad industry. Surveillance conducted by investigators corroborated McKinney’s movements with confirmed thefts from locomotives in Sauget, Illinois. The investigation was conducted by DDCC officers with assistance from the Terminal Railroad Police Department of St. Louis.
On Jan. 7, investigators arrived at McKinney’s residence with a search warrant. They found assault rifles, some of which were affixed with suppressors, amongst numerous other guns in the residence. The report notes that a large sum of cash and multiple large tanks and drums suspected of containing dyed and non-dyed diesel fuel were discovered during the search.
On Jan. 8, investigators contacted McKinney in the Leadwood area to question him about the thefts. Authorities said McKinney resisted arrest and set the trailer on fire, destroying potential evidence during the encounter. He was taken into custody and transported to the St. Francois County Detention Center, where he was held on a $200,000 cash/surety bond. The St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney formally charged McKinney the same day with receiving stolen property, a Class D felony; tampering with physical evidence in a felony prosecution, a Class E felony; and resisting arrest for a felony, also a Class E felony. Bond was set at $200,000, cash or surety. Court records note that while authorities were monitoring McKinney’s recorded phone calls from the jail, he contacted a family member and gave them instructions to contact a witness in the investigation, in an attempt to dissuade the witness from fully cooperating with law enforcement.
On Jan. 9, the defendant posted bond and was released. Special conditions include the installation of a GPS monitoring device and a provision for random drug screenings
An initial appearance on Feb. 19 is scheduled with Judge Joseph Murray presiding.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information regarding McKinney’s alleged theft or sale of diesel fuel is asked to contact Cpl. Andrew L. Woods with the MSHP/DDCC at 636-300-2800.
Citizens are reminded by the MSHP that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Lisa Brotherton-Barnes is the editor for The Daily Journal and The Farmington Press staff writer. She can be reached at lbarnes@dailyjournalonline.com.
