Visit to Johnson County Courthouse leads to arrest of Missouri woman

Hunter
02/22/22

A woman who drove to the Johnson County Courthouse despite her license being revoked faces charges after deputies discovered a syringe she disposed of.

42-year-old Jodi Vanhoutan of Unionville, Missouri, entered the building just before 3:10pm Monday and was allegedly observed acting abnormally. She reportedly said she needed to leave the Courthouse to get rid of her gum.

VanHoutan then allegedly walked around a counter and discharged an object that was discovered to be a syringe with a white crystal substance.

A check of the woman’s driving record showed her status as revoked for OWI test refusal, and surveillance video reportedly shows her driving to the building.

VanHoutan was arrested and charged with Driving while Suspended and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. If convicted on both counts, she could be sentenced to up to 13 months in jail.