Defendant admonished by judge: ‘It’s up to you’

After being taken into custody during the Oct. 23 session of Ozark County Circuit Court, a probation violation hearing was held for Michael Szabo Nov. 6. 

During his October appearance for a probation violation, Szabo was ordered to submit to a drug test and tested positive for methamphetamine. He was remanded into the custody of the Ozark County Sheriff’s Department and his hearing was rescheduled to 9 a.m. Nov. 6. He was originally sentenced in August 2022 to SIS and 5 years supervised probation for possession of a controlled substance. In June 2023, he was ordered to attend a 120-day program in the Missouri Department of Corrections.

Szabo admitted the probation violation by his continued substance use. During the hearing Szabo’s attorney, Public Defender Chase Opolka, asked that Szabo be released because he was attempting to get into Turning Leaf rehabilitation center in West Plains. However, Szabo did not qualify for the residential program because of his serious health problems which include diabetes, the need to be on oxygen and severe hip problems. Opolka said that although he didn’t qualify for the residential program, Turning Leaf was attempting to set him up for an outpatient program.

Ozark County Prosecuting Attorney Lee Pipkins objected to the request. Pipkins said that the state would have had no objections, however Szabo has continued to have several violations of his probation by continuing to test positive for methamphetamine and failure to appear in court. 

“We gave him the benefit of a furlow,” said Pipkins. “And then he tested positive again. The state does not think he will be able to refrain from use.”

Opolka stressed that Szabo would have been in the residential program if he didn’t have his many health problems.

“Well, the meth use is going to kill him,” said Judge Carter.

“The state is trying to save his life by sending him to prison,” said Pipkins. 

“He has been attending classes with Jeff Dotson (a member of the Ozark County Substance Abuse Task Force),” said Opolka. “My client has not been idle and is only asking for another chance.” 

Carter revoked Szabo’s probation and sentenced Szabo to 4 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections and ordered to attend a 120 day program.

“You’re going to die,” the judge told Szabo. “This is all I’ve got. You need to understand that meth addicts don’t live very long. I hope you survive it, but it’s up to you.”