Seven cases set for jury trial during Aug. 9 Ozark County Law Day
Circuit Judge Craig Carter processed a total of nine civil cases and 13 criminal cases during the Aug. 9 session of Ozark County Law Day. Updates on the criminal cases are listed here:
Guilty plea, sentencing
Julia Anne Lesh, who pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance in May 2019, appeared with her attorney for a sentencing hearing for violating probation in a case. She had a negative urinalysis. Her current probation was revoked, and she was instead placed on a new 5-year probation term.
Derrick Scott Cleveland pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a controlled substance and was given a suspended imposition of sentence and placed on probation for 5 years. The online docket says: “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; $300 CLERF within 90 days; drug testing a minimum once every two weeks.”
Show cause hearing
Michael Turner who pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance on Aug. 11 did not appear for a scheduled hearing. A show cause hearing is scheduled for Sept. 6.
Jury trials scheduled
Charles David Cole, charged with assault of a special victim, first-degree assault, third-degree assault of a special victim, stalking a law enforcement office or his/her family, making a terroristic threat and first-degree property damage, appeared with his attorney. A jury trial was scheduled for Nov. 1-2. A pre-trial conference will be held Oct. 4.
Herbert Palmer, charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, appeared in court with his attorney. A jury trial was scheduled for Nov. 29-30 with a pre-trial hearing on Oct. 18.
Charles Leon Souder, charged with burglary and five counts of stealing a firearm, had his case set for a jury trial on Feb. 1-2. A pre-trial conference will be held Jan. 3.
Jeremiah D. Kowerduck, charged with statutory sodomy of a child younger than 14 and child molestation in one case and domestic assault in a second case, had a jury trial scheduled for April 24-26, 2024. A pre-trial conference will be held March 30.
Noel Cole, charged with resisting arrest for a felony in one case and assault (special victim), endangering the welfare of a child, resisting arrest by fleeing, resisting arrest for a felony, harassment and trespassing in a second case, was scheduled for a hearing. The state and the defense council appeared. This online docket entry was made in the case: “Def has been released from custody due to medical conditions that the county does not want to pay for. Def may be on house arrest and no vehicle and drug testing 1x per week.” The docket also said that the state requested that Cole’s original trial date be moved due to Hootin an Hollarin festival scheduled that week on the Gainesville square. The trial was rescheduled for Dec. 20-21. A pre-trial conference will be held Nov. 22.
Scheduled or set for Aug. 23
Jay D. Clark, charged with sexual abuse, possession of child pornography and supplying pornography to a minor, had his hearing continued to Aug. 23 for a deferred prosecution review.
Scheduled or set for Oct. 18
John N. Wiggins, charged with failure to register as a sex offender, was arraigned. A plea hearing or trial setting is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Oct. 18.
Scheduled or set for Dec. 6
Timothy William Kendrick, charged with driving with a revoked or suspended license, was arraigned. A plea hearing or trial setting was scheduled for Dec. 6.