Several plead during February law days

Six people pleaded guilty during the Feb. 4 and 19 Ozark County Circuit Court law days.

During a pre-trial conference held Feb. 4, Chad McKee rejected a plea offer from Ozark County Prosecuting Attorney Lee Pipkins. Pipkins kept the offer open until Feb. 12. However, McKee continued to reject the offer and a second pre-trial hearing was held Feb. 19.

During that appearance, McKee appeared with his attorney, public defender Chase Opolka. McKee requested a trial continuance because DNA evidence from the alleged weapon is still being held at the Missouri State crime lab. Carter overruled the request and McKee’s trial will be held as scheduled.

Larry Lavern Sanders’ jury trial scheduled for April 8 was canceled. Sanders is currently in the Missouri Department of Corrections.

Pleading guilty

On Feb. 4, Gloria Barrett pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance. She was sentenced to 7 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections, SES and five years probation. Pursuant to a plea agreement, a  charge of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia was dismissed. An SES, or suspended execution of sentence, means Barrett was sentenced to a prison term but was placed on probation. She will not go to prison unless she violates the terms of her probation. (See story on page 9)

Corey Smith pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance and was sentenced to 5 years in the DOC, SES, 5 years probation and ordered to successfully complete the one year program at the Action Recovery Center in Gainesville. (See story below)

On Feb. 19, Kandace Newton entered an open guilty plea to possession of a controlled substance. Sentencing is set for 9 a.m. April 8. Because she entered an open plea there is no guaranteed sentencing term and will be at the judge’s discretion. However, the state is asking for a cap of 6 years in the DOC with long-term drug treatment. Pursuant to a plea agreement, the charge of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia with prior drug offense was dismissed. Newton waived a sentence advisory report.

Newton also admitted to violating her probation. Sentencing for the violation is also set for April 8.

Stephen Wayne Robinson appeared from the Missouri Department of Corrections and pleaded guilty to driving while license revoked. He was sentenced to SIS, 5 years probation, ordered to complete SATOP (substance awareness traffic offender program) and ordered to provide valid proof of license within 6 months from release from DOC. An SIS, or suspended imposition of sentence, means Robinson is placed on probation for a period of time. If he follows the terms of probation, at the end of the probation period the court will close the case and the criminal conviction will not appear on his records. However, if Robinson violates the probation, a full sentence may be invoked.

Preston Mulanax pleaded guilty to third degree assault and was sentenced to SIS and 5 years probation. Pursuant to a plea agreement, a second count of third degree assault was dismissed. (See story below)

Brandon Terrell pleaded guilty to stealing firearm. He was sentenced to SIS, 5 years probation and ordered to pay a restitution of $11,450.  (See story page 9)

Not guilty pleas

Koree Pendergrass waived formal arraignment and entered a plea of not guilty to the charge of first degree endangering the welfare of a child creating a substantial risk, no sexual conduct. He is scheduled to appear at 1:30 p.m. March 18.

Robert P. Kelley waived formal arraignment and entered a plea of not guilty to charges of delivery of a controlled substance except 35 grams or less of marijuana or synthetic cannaboid, keeping or maintaining a public nuisance, possession of a controlled substance and two counts unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia with a prior drug offense. He is scheduled to appear at 9 a.m. April 8.

Michael MacMillan waived formal arraignment and entered a plea of not guilty to two counts of possession of a controlled substance. He is set to appear at 9 a.m. April 8.

Patrick Kyle Lee waived formal arraignment and entered a plea of not guilty to charges of first degree burglary, second degree domestic assault and second degree robbery. He is set to appear at 1:30 p.m. March 18. However, according to online records, a motion for change of judge and change of venue was filed Feb. 27 by public defender Chase Opolka.

Dustin Kyle Wallace waived formal arraignment and entered a plea of not guilty to charges of non-support total arrears in excess of 12 monthly payments due under order of support, 19 counts of stealing a firearm, and one count of stealing with a value less than $150 and no prior stealing offenses. He is set to appear at 9 a.m. March 4.

Diane Carter waived formal arraignment and pleaded not guilty to charges of first degree stalking, violation of order of protection for adult and failure to wear seat bleat. She is set to appear at 1:30 p.m. March 18.

Warrants issued

Courtney Michele Teague failed to appear at her scheduled appearance on Feb. 4 and Judge Carter issued a capias warrant. A capias warrant is a court order that authorizes law enforcement to arrest and detain a person who is charged with a crime or has failed to comply with court orders.

A capias warrant was also issued for George Krumsick when he failed to appear for his scheduled appearance Feb. 19. The warrant was served Feb. 26.

Sarah Sue Prewett failed to appear for her Feb. 19 court appearance and a capias warrant was issued.

Trials and pre-trials scheduled

A trial was scheduled for late 2026 in the case of Henry Parker. Parker is appearing in Ozark County Circuit Court on a change of venue rom Douglas County. He is scheduled for pre-trial at 9 a.m. Oct. 7.

Pre-trial is set for July 8 for Jaime Carrillo. A trial is set for autumn this year.

Maddyson M. Goodell, also on a change of venue from Douglas County, is set for pre-trial Aug. 5. Her trial is scheduled late autumn this year.

The March trial for Austen Clouser was rescheduled. A pre-trial set for July 22 and the trial scheduled for autumn.

The pre-trial hearing for Buster Ferraro was continued to 9 a.m. March 4. A trial is set for spring.

A trial was scheduled for January 2027 in five cases of Joshua Benson. Pre-trial is set for 9 a.m. Dec. 9.

Bench trials scheduled 

Two persons waived jury trials during their Feb. 4 appearances. 

Orval Merriman waived his jury trial and is now scheduled for a bench trial March 26-27 before Judge Carter. 

Samantha Johnson also waived jury trial. She is scheduled for bench trial on July 16 before Judge Carter.

Probation hearings

Tony Johnson, Derrick Scott Cleveland and Trevor Van Mansker were continued on probation.

Cases continued

Six cases were continued to March 4 and two cases were continued to March 18.

Nine cases were continued to April 8 and one case was continued to April 22.

Three cases were continued to May 6 and two cases were continued to May 20.