Carter hears 32 cases at April Ozark County Law Day

Circuit Judge Craig Carter processed a total of 32 cases during the April 3 session of Ozark County Law Day. Updates on the criminal cases are listed here:

Warrant issued

Amy Poyner, charged with possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, failed to appear for her hearing. A capias warrant was issued. 

Plea, sentencing

Jeremiah Kowerduck pleaded guilty to an amended charge of second-degree statutory sodomy and was sentenced to 7 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. The sentence is to run concurrently with any other sentences he currently has. He will get credit for the 379 days in jail he has already served. He was previously charged with statutory sodomy of a person younger than 14. 

Samuel Deatherage pleaded guilty to the amended charges of second-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon (exhibiting) and was sentenced to a 120-day program in the Missouri Department of Corrections. If he successfully completes the program, he will be released on probation with consecutive sentences as back up. If he does not successfully complete the program, he will serve the 7 year sentence and 3 year sentence consecutively for a total of 10 years. The online docket says the victim and the victim’s family approved of the plea offer. 

Bradley D. Connell pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a weapon (exhibiting) and was given a suspended imposition of sentence and placed on probation for 5 years. The online docket notes that he has no prior felony convictions, and the victims agree with the plea offer and had a significant part in crafting the plea offer.  In addition to standard conditions; Defendant to pay costs; obey all laws; Defendant not to possess or consume illegal drugs, alcohol or other intoxicating/mood altering substances; Defendant consents to search and seizure of person, home and/or vehicle; Defendant subject to random drug and alcohol testing upon request of any law enforcement officer or court with or without probable cause; Defendant not to frequent establishments that primary purpose is the sale of alcohol beverages; to pay $300 to the County Law Enforcement Restitution Fund within 90 days; complete 100 hours of community service, have no contact with victim, forfeit all guns and pay Court Probationary Services fees of $88. 

Noel Cole pleaded guilty to failure to appear in court and was sentenced to 2 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. The execution of the sentence was suspended, meaning he does not immediately have to go to prison. Instead, his punishment is 5 years probation; however, if he violates his probation enough times, the judge can choose to execute the sentence and send him to prison. In addition to standard conditions, he is to pay court costs, obey all laws, not to possess or consume illegal drugs, alcohol or other intoxicating/mood altering substances, consent to search and seizure of person, home and/or vehicle, be subject to random drug and alcohol testing upon request of any law enforcement officer or court with or without probable cause, not to frequent establishments that primary purpose is the sale of alcohol beverages, pay $300 to the County Law Enforcement Restitution Fund, spend 60 days in jail in 48-hour blocks at his probation officer’s discretion and not to be on Theodosia Marina Resort property without advance permission from owner. 

Scheduled or continued to April 17

Michael Renne, who pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance from a May 2020 case, appeared for a probation violation hearing. The online docket says new charges have been filed against Renne. The hearing was continued to 1:30 p.m. April 17. The docket says, “If complaining witness appears and states that she will not cooperate, the court will reconsider.”

Michael Jones, who was convicted of possession of a controlled substance in an October 2022 case, appeared with his attorney. The online docket says that he has had new charges filed against him. His probation violation hearing was continued to 1:30 p.m. April 17. 

Taylor French, charged with tampering with a motor vehicle and stealing, appeared with counsel and had completed 7 days shock sentence. A plea hearing or trial setting is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. April 17. 

Scheduled or continued to May 1

Auden Vaneperen, charged with tampering with a motor vehicle and delivering a controlled substance, was arraigned. A plea hearing or trial setting is scheduled for 9 a.m. May 1.

Scheduled or continued to May 22

John Wiggins, charged with two counts of failure to register as a sex offender as required, appeared for a case review with his attorney. The online docket said that the Department of Mental Health has not examined him yet. The case review was continued to 1:30 p.m. May 22 in order to allow the examination to occur. 

Jerimiah A. Love, charged with possession of a controlled substance, unlawful use of a weapon (possessing a weapon and a felony-level controlled substance), harassment, domestic assault, property damage and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, appeared with counsel. The court allowed him to be released into an in-patient treatment center. He is scheduled to return to court for a plea hearing or trial setting at 1:30 p.m. May 22. 

Kimberly Morris, charged with possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, appeared with counsel. Her plea hearing or trial setting was continued to 1:30 p.m. May 22. 

Scheduled or continued to June 5

Trenton Strain, charged with arson, eight counts of armed criminal action and seven counts of knowingly burning or exploding, was arraigned. A plea hearing or trial setting is scheduled for 9 a.m. June 5. 

Austen Clouser, charged with three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, two counts of assault and assault, had his jury trial continued. CPS supervision is waived until further court order, the docket says. He is scheduled to return for a criminal setting at 9 a.m. June 5. 

Michael Mansfield, who was convicted of burglary and one count of stealing a firearm in a February 2022 case, appeared with his attorney for a probation violation hearing. It was continued to 9 a.m. June 5.

Trevor Mansker, charged with two counts of burglary, two counts of property damage and two counts of stealing $750 or more, was arraigned. A plea hearing or trial setting was scheduled for 9 a.m. June 5. 

David Havens, charged with burglary and stealing a firearm, was arraigned. A plea hearing or trial setting was scheduled for 9 a.m. June 5.