Bertolozzi pleads in 2024 drug case

Amanda Nicole Bertolozzi pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance, a class D felony, during the Oct. 27 Ozark County Circuit Court. 

She was sentenced to SIS, five years probation and ordered to successfully complete Ozark County Drug Court. Pursuant to a plea agreement, the felony charge of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia (amphetamine or methamphetamine) was dismissed. An SIS, or suspended imposition of sentence, means Bertolozzi is placed on probation for a period of time. If she follows the terms of her probation, at the end of the probation period the court will close the case and Bertolozzi will not have a criminal conviction on her record. However, if she violates the probation, a full sentence may be invoked. Because the possession charge was a D class felony, Bertolozzi could have been sentenced up to seven years in the DOC or one year in county jail and a fine up to $10,000.

Charges against Bertolozzi stem from an arrest on Nov. 13, 2024. According to the probable cause statement, prepared by Ozark County Deputy Gannon Moss, a search warrant was executed at the Udall home and property of Joshua Benson. During the execution of the warrant the primary residence and a small shed / living quarters were searched. Bertolozzi, Brian Harris and Lashanna Lambert were also residents on the property. All four individuals were arrested.

Officers reportedly found two digital scales inside a lockbox, a metal spoon and metal straw, each with a white, crystal-like substance on them that field-tested positive for amphetamines.  

Benson faces charges of possession of a controlled substance, two counts of unlawful possession a firearm and the misdemeanor charge of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. He is set to appear at 9 a.m. Jan. 7, 2026, for a plea or trial setting before Judge Craig Carter.

Lambert faces charges of possession of a controlled substance, two counts of unlawful possession a firearm and the misdemeanor charge of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia with a prior drug offense. She is set to appear at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 9 for a preliminary hearing before Judge Raymond Gross.

Harris faces charges of possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia (amphetamine or methamphetamine). He is set to appear at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 19 for a case review before Judge Carter.