Five not guilty pleas entered during the Oct. 9 Law Day

Circuit Judge Craig Carter processed 21 cases during the Oct. 9 session of Ozark County Circuit Court Law Day.

A bond violation report was filed in the case of Orval D. Merriman, and a bond review hearing was held. Merriman was ordered to serve a seven day shock incarceration in the Ozark County Jail and appear before the court at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 23. Merriman remains in the Ozark County Jail. 

During an appearance by his client Christopher Scott Davis. Public defender Chase Opolka informed the court that he was going to file a motion to suppress. The plea or trial setting is rescheduled for 9 a.m. Nov. 6. Davis is charged with possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drugs paraphernalia with prior drug offense, stealing and first degree trespassing. Davis remains in the Ozark County Jail.

Guilty plea

Katherine Elizabeth Pine appeared with her attorney Public Defender Chase Opolka and pleaded guilty to an amended charge of second degree endangering the welfare of a child, a class A misdemeanor. She was sentenced to SIS with two years of supervised probation. Pine was originally charged with the class D felony of first degree endangering the welfare of a child creating a substantial risk. An SIS, or suspended imposition of sentence, means the defendant is placed on probation for a period of time. If the defendant follows the terms of her probation, at the end of the probation period, the court will close the case, and she will not have a criminal conviction on her records. However, if the defendant violates the probation, a full sentence may be invoked.

Not guilty pleas

Robert C. Hudson appeared with his attorney Public Defender Chase Opolka and waived formal arraignment and entered a plea of not guilty to charges of possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia with prior drug offense and first degree harassment. He is scheduled for a plea or trial setting at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 25. Hudson remains in the Ozark County Jail.

Thomas Stephen Pettit appeared with his attorney Opolka and waived formal arraignment and entered a plea of not guilty to three counts possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia with prior drug offense. He is scheduled for a plea or trial setting at 9 a.m. Nov. 6.

Michael D. Peardon waived formal arraignment and reading of the charges and entered a plea of not guilty to charges of possession of a controlled substance, three counts of unlawful use of a weapon by possessing a weapon and a felony controlled substance, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. He is scheduled for a plea or trial setting at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 23.

Daniel W. Planty appeared with his attorney Joshua Brown and waived formal arraignment and reading of the charges and entered a plea of not guilty to charges of possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia with prior drug offense, stealing and first degree trespassing. A capias warrant was issued for Planty, he was taken into custody by an Ozark County Deputy, and a bond review hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Oct. 23. He remains in the Ozark County jail.

Trial set

A jury trial is set in the case of Trevor Van Mansker. A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for March 26, 2025. Mansker is charged with two counts of second degree burglary, first degree property damage, two counts stealing $750 or more and second degree property damage.

Failed to appear

A capias warrant was issued for Jody Weyrauch who failed to appear for a probation violation hearing. 

A capias warrant was issued for Eugene Collins Clayton who failed to appear for arraignment on charges of chronic DWI, two counts of operating a vehicle on the highway without a valid license and failure to drive on the right half of roadway when roadway was of sufficient width.

Probation violation admitted

A probation violation hearing was held for Danial Teconchuk. He admitted to failing to pay restitution. His sentencing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Jan. 8, 2025.

Continued to Oct. 23

A plea or trial setting for William G. Hansen is rescheduled for 1:30 p.m. Oct. 23. Hansen is charged with stealing $750 or more.

Summer Dawn Luna appeared and was ordered to be screened for drug court. Her plea or trial setting is rescheduled for 1:30 p.m. Oct. 23.

Continued to Nov. 6

A plea or trial setting for Colin Crockett is rescheduled for 9 a.m. Nov. 6. Crockett is charged with stealing $750 or more.

A probation violation hearing for Brian E. Mottus is rescheduled for 9 a.m. Nov. 6.

A plea or trial setting for Timothy Kyle Sprague is scheduled for 9 a.m. Nov. 6. Sprague is charged with two counts of third degree domestic assault.

A plea or trial setting was held for Jerimiah A. Love. Judge Carter was informed that Love had new charges filed and Love’s attorney Public Defender Chase Opolka requested that the setting be rescheduled. His plea or trial setting is rescheduled for 9 a.m. Nov.  6. Love is charged with possession, unlawful use of a weapon by possessing a weapon and a felony controlled substance, first degree harassment, fourth degree domestic assault, second degree property damage, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, escape or attempted escape from confinement and damage to jail or jail property. Love remains in the Ozark County Jail.

Herbert Palmer was scheduled to appear before Judge Carter. However, Palmer was in custody in the Missouri Department of Corrections. Judge Carter signed an order for Palmer to appear at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 6 via video conference  for a plea or trial setting.

Kimberly J. Morris, in custody in the Department of Corrections, was unable to appear before the court via video conference. Her hearing is continued to 9 a.m. Nov. 6. Morris is charged with possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

Continued to Nov. 25

Jared W. Johnston appeared with his attorney Opolka and asked the judge to allow him to enter a substance abuse treatment facility. Judge Carter granted the request and rescheduled Johnston’s plea or trial setting to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 25. Johnston is charged with second degree trafficking drugs and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

Michael Cory Collins was scheduled to appear for a plea or trial setting before Judge Carter. However, Collins was in a substance abuse treatment facility and his appearance is rescheduled to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 25. Collins is charged with resisting arrest, detention or stop by fleeing and creating a substantial risk of serious injury or death to any person, possession of a controlled substance and operating a motor vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner.

A plea or trial setting for Brian W. Cuthbertson is rescheduled for 1:30 p.m. Nov. 25, Cuthbertson is currently in the Department of Corrections. He is charged with second degree assault, first degree property damage and armed criminal action.

Continued to Dec. 4

A plea or trial setting for Trenton Strain is rescheduled for 9 a.m. Dec. 4. Strain is charged with second degree arson eight counts of armed criminal action, seven counts of knowingly burning or exploding.

Gregory Bray Hambelton appeared for a plea or trial setting. Attorney Bethany Turner filed a motion to withdraw as Hambelton’s attorney. Judge Carter sustained her motion and a plea or trial setting is rescheduled for 9 a.m. Dec. 4. Hambelton is charged with first degree harassment, second degree terrorist threat, two counts fourth degree domestic assault, first offense driving while revoked or suspended, and first degree trespassing.

Continued to Dec. 18

Andrew Brandt Clay appeared for a probation violation hearing and was ordered to serve seven days shock incarceration in the Ozark County Jail. A probation violation hearing is rescheduled for 1:30 p.m. Dec. 18.

A plea or trial setting for David Roland Stecklein is rescheduled for 1:30 p.m. Dec. 18. Stecklein is charged with first degree harassment, stealing an animal, animal abuse and second degree property damage.

A plea or trial setting for Lori Shannon Collins is rescheduled for 1:30 p.m. Dec. 18. Collins is charged with second degree murder felony murder in that during the perpetration, attempted perpetration or flight from perpetration of a felony a person dies, first degree tampering with a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.

Continued to Jan. 22, 2025

James T. Young appeared for a probation violation hearing. A probation condition review hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Jan. 22, 2025.