Mahler pleads to possession charges

Michelle Mahler, of Caulfield, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance in a 2024 case and to delivery of controlled substance except 35 grams or less of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoid in a case from July 2025. The guilty pleas were accepted during the Oct. 8 session of Ozark County Circuity Court.

In the possession case, Mahler was sentenced to two years in the Department of Corrections. In the delivery case, she was sentenced to five years in the DOC. Pursuant to a plea agreement, charges of   unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and unlawful use of a weapon by possessing weapon and a felony controlled substance were dismissed. Both sentences are to run concurrent.

According to the first probable cause statement, prepared by Ozark County Deputy Josh Sherman, on Sept. 19, 2024, several officers with the Ozark County Sheriff’s Department conducted a warrant arrest for Mahler and two others at a residence in Bakersfield. 

There was no one home when officers first arrived, but Mahler, who had an active warrant for her arrest, reportedly showed up soon afterward. Sherman wrote that from prior knowledge of the residence, he knew that drugs and paraphernalia were often located toward the main coffee table by a shelf on the wall. As he executed the warrant with Mahler alongside him, he found an orange device in plain view that appeared to be used to smoke drugs. He asked Mahler if it was a pipe, and she said “I know you see it,” and “I’m not going to lie to you.” She said nothing else was at the residence. The pipe had residue and burn marks on it, and it field-tested positive for methamphetamine. 

According to the second probable cause statement, also prepared by Ozark County Sheriff’s Deputy Josh Sherman, at 10:49 p.m. July 13, 2025, the Ozark County Sheriff’s Department executed a residential search warrant at David Zastrow’s residence in Bakersfield. When officers arrived, they activated their emergency lights and exclaimed that anyone at the property should make their presence known to law enforcement. Zastrow, Mahler and a second woman exited the house and were taken into custody shortly afterward. 

A search of the residence turned up several items used in production of methamphetamine, firearms, and drugs.