Judge hears 28 cases, sends four defendants to prison during March 6 Ozark County Law Day
Circuit Judge Craig Carter processed a total of three civil cases and 25 criminal cases during the March 6 session of Ozark County Law Day. Updates in the criminal cases are listed here:
Pleas and sentencing
Herbert Palmer pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm and was sentenced to the Missouri Department of Corrections for 7 years. He will be given credit for time served, which is 246 days in the county jail, according to a signed affidavit by the Ozark County Sheriff.
Matthew Wollin pleaded guilty to two counts of domestic assault, pursuant to a plea agreement with the state. As part of the agreement, additional charges of sexual exploitation of a minor, four counts of abuse of a child, another domestic assault charge, two counts of armed criminal action, endangering the welfare of a child were dismissed. The court rejected the initial plea offer, the online docket says. The plea agreement ultimately is as follows: 4 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections on the two counts that he pleaded guilty to. The sentences are to run concurrently, or at the same time. The docket says that the court has the right to file count 1, the charge of sexual exploitation of a minor, if new evidence becomes available.
Christopher Campbell pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of a controlled substance in a plea agreement with the state. He was sentenced to 5 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections in each case with the sentences to run concurrently, or at the same time. The online docket says that Campbell chose to accept the punishment as “straight time” in prison rather than a one-year drug treatment program.
Sent to prison for violating probation
Tyler J. Hogan, who was convicted of possession of a controlled substance in December 2022 and is currently on probation in the case, appeared for a probation violation hearing. Hogan had entered the Mountain Moving Ministries faith-based treatment program early this year, but the online docket shows that he left that program sometime before he appeared in court on Feb. 21. He admitted to violating his probation, and his original 8-year Missouri Department of Corrections sentence was executed under Missouri Revised Statute 217.362, a long-term (between 12-24 months) drug treatment program within the prison system.
Continued on probation
Gregory McGee, who was convicted of driving while intoxicated causing a serious physical injury in June 2020 and is currently on probation in the case, had a case review. He was continued on probation.
Michael L. Maloy, who was convicted of possession of a controlled substance and burglary in November 2020 and is currently on probation in the cases, appeared for a case review. The online docket says that Maloy successfully completed the “Big Boy Men’s Ministry” faith-based treatment program in October 2023. His court costs due were sent to collections. He was continued on probation.
Mark Kenneth Lowry, who was convicted of domestic assault in May 2022 and is currently on probation in the case, appeared for a case review. He has completed anger management class, and he is currently enrolled in a batterer’s intervention program, the online docket says. He was continued on probation.
Pre-trial conference
Noel Cole, charged with assault of a special victim and resisting or interfering with an arrest for a felony in one case and resisting or interfering with an arrest for a felony in another case, appeared via Webex with his attorney for a pre-trial conference. The court conducted a Frye hearing, which is held to determine the admissibility of an expert’s scientific testimony and other types of evidence. Cole rejected the state’s plea offer, the online docket says. He is scheduled to return to court at 8:30 a.m. April 11. The docket says that his motion for a change of judge and venue will be overruled, as they are out of time. Cole is scheduled for an Ozark County jury trial April 11-12 as a number two setting.
Jury trial scheduled
Juston Ralph Stoneking, charged with harassment, domestic assault and unlawful possession of a firearm, had a jury trial scheduled for Dec. 11. A pre-trial conference will be held Nov. 6.
Scheduled or continued to March 20
Floyd Lamb III, who was convicted of possession of a controlled substance in February 2020 and is currently on probation in the case, appeared for a hearing after being placed in custody due to numerous probation violations. The judge found that his due process rights under Missouri Revised Statute 559.036 needs to be protected, and therefore he appointed the Missouri Public Defender’s Office to represent him in the case. He is scheduled to return for a probation violation hearing at 1:30 p.m. March 20.
Michael Renne, who was convicted of possession of a controlled substance in May 2020 and is currently on probation in the case, appeared with his attorney and admitted to violating his probation. He was continued on probation with the additional condition that he successfully enter and complete the 44th Judicial Circuit Drug Court treatment program.
Patrick Lee, charged with burglary, domestic assault and robbery, failed to appear for his pre-trial conference. It was continued to March 20 with a “show cause” hearing. He is scheduled for a jury trial in the case on May 23-24.
Jerimiah A. Love, charged with possession of a controlled substance, unlawful use of a weapon (possessing weapon and felony-level controlled substance, harassment, domestic assault, property damage and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia), appeared with his attorney. The online docket says he now has new charges of attempting to escape from custody, currently in associate court. His case was continued to 1:30 p.m. March 20 for all pending motions.
Scheduled or continued to April 3
Brandon Guidry, charged with possession of controlled substance, unlawful use of drug paraphernalia (methamphetamine) and unlawful possession of a firearm in one case and unlawful possession of a firearm, making a terrorist threat and damaging jail property in another case, appeared for a plea hearing or trial setting. The online docket says that the court had considered amending Guidry’s pre-trial release conditions to remove the cash bond requirement and allow him to be released on house arrest with GPS monitoring and supervision by Court Probationary Services; however, due to Guidry’s “courtroom outburst,” the judge ordered him to remain in custody in the Ozark County Jail. His plea hearing or trial setting was continued to April 3.
Scheduled or continued to April 17
Herbert Palmer, charged with failure to appear in court, had his plea hearing or trial setting continued to 1:30 p.m. April 17.
James C. Reed, charged with unlawful use of a weapon (shooting at a vehicle, person or building), harassment, armed criminal action and tampering with a motor vehicle, appeared with his attorney for a plea hearing or trial setting. The court allowed Reed to be released to the supervision of Court Probationary Services on house arrest with GPS ankle monitoring. Law enforcement is to ensure he has no firearms prior to his release. He is scheduled to return for a plea hearing or trial setting at 1:30 p.m. April 17.
Charles K. White, charged with driving while intoxicated (aggravated offender) and two counts of driving with a revoked or suspended license in two separate cases, appeared with his attorney for a plea hearing or trial setting. The online docket says he has received his driver’s license now. The plea hearing or trial setting was continued to 1:30 p.m. April 17 as the final continuance in the case.
Scheduled or continued to May 1
Kimberly Hemphill, charged with possession of a controlled substance, appeared via Webex with her attorney for a show cause hearing. Her plea hearing or trial setting was continued to 9 a.m. May 1.
Linda Schwalm, charged with possession of a controlled substance, keeping or maintaining a public nuisance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, appeared with her attorney. The court allowed her to be released to FCC Behavioral Health and return to custody at the OCSD. She is to reappear May 1.
Scheduled or continued to May 22
William G. Hansen, charged with stealing $750 or more, appeared with his attorney for a bond reduction hearing. The court removed the $10,900 cash portion of the bond conditions. If released, he is ordered to be supervised by Court Probationary Services. He is scheduled to return to court for a plea hearing or trial setting at 1:30 p.m. May 22.