Several sent to the DOC during OC Law Day
Ozark County Circuit Court Judge Craig Carter heard several pleas during the Nov. 25 and Dec. 4 sessions of the Ozark County Law Day.
During the Nov. 25 law day, Public Defender Chase Opolka filed a motion to withdraw as counsel for Matthew Barton. His motion was sustained.
A jury trial was set in the case of Robert A. Wages with a pre-trial scheduled for Jan. 7, 2026. Wages is charged with first degree rape or attempted rape, two counts first degree sodomy or attempted sodomy and one count owner, occupant, other person or legal entity knowingly allowing or failing to stop a person under 21 from drinking or possessing intoxicating liquor.
A motion to revoke probation for Daniel Eric Johnson was withdrawn during his probation violation hearing on Nov. 25. He was ordered to report to probation and parole. A motion for non-offensive contact with the victim was sustained.
Todd J. Chapman appeared for a payment review hearing. The court found that all restitution, fine and costs have been paid.
Blake Osgood appeared for a probation conditions review hearing. He finished paying all of his court costs and was discharged from misdemeanor probation. After asking the judge what he could do to get the charges off his record, he was advised to file a petition for his record to be expunged.
Taken into custody
Taylor L. French was taken into custody after testing positive for drug for methamphetamine and THC during an appearance for a probation violation. wShe allegedly violated her probation for refusing to allow a law enforcement officer search her vehicle while in Springfield. She is scheduled to reappear before the court at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 18. She remains in the Ozark County Jail.
Guilty pleas
Kimberly J. Morris, in the custody of the Department of Corrections, appeared via Webex and pleaded guilty on Dec. 4 to the charge of possession. The charge of unlawful possession of paraphernalia was dismissed. She was sentenced to 5 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections to run concurrent with all other sentences and ordered to attend a long term substance abuse program. (See story at left.)
A jury trial was canceled on Nov. 25 during the pre-trial conference in the case of Juston Ralph Stoneking. On Dec. 4, Stoneking pleaded guilty by way of an Alford plea to the charge of unlawful possession of a firearm and an amended charge of second degree harassment, a misdemeanor. An Alford plea is a guilty plea where the defendant maintains their innocence but accepts a sentence. The plea is based on the defendant’s voluntary choice to avoid a harsher sentence if they believe the prosecution’s evidence would be enough to convict them. The charge of fourth degree domestic assault was dismissed.
Stoneking was sentenced to 4 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections SES and 4 years probation for the firearms charge and 30 days in the Ozark County Jail SES and 2 years probation for the harassment charge with credit for times served. An SES, or suspended execution of sentence, means a defendant will be sentenced to a prison term but will be placed on probation and will not go to prison unless they violate the terms of that probation.
During the Nov. 25 law day, Michael Scott Strickland had been remanded to the custody of the Ozark County Sheriff’s Department and had his probation violation hearing rescheduled for Dec. 4. After failing to successfully complete the court ordered drug court, Strickland’s probation was revoked on Dec. 4. Previously sentenced to serve 5 years SES, Strickland’s sentence was executed and he was ordered to be transported to the Missouri Department of Correction with credit for time served. Strickland pleaded guilty by way of Alford plea in May 2022 to second degree burglary. (See story at left.)
Charles J. Simpson appeared for a probation violation hearing on Nov. 25. Because Simpson could not afford an attorney, Public Defender Chase Opolka was appointed to defend him. The probation violation hearing was rescheduled to 9 a.m. Dec. 4 and Simpson was remanded into custody of the Ozark County Sheriff’s Department until his hearing.
During the Dec. 4 law day, Charles J. Simpson waived the hearing and admitted his probation violation by failing to report to his probation officer as directed and had his probation revoked. His initial sentences of 4 and 5 years SES at the Missouri Department of Corrections was executed and he remains in the Ozark County Jail until he is transported to the Missouri Department of Corrections. He will be given credit for time served. (See story page 5.)
No contact order remains
During her appearance on Dec. 4 for a probation violation and plea or trial setting, Michelle E. Wilcox requested that she be released from custody until discovery was completed in her case. She is charged with two counts of felony possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor willfully failing or refusing to obey or resisting or opposing a law enforcement officer or firefighter in the proper discharge of their duties.
Ozark County Prosecuting Attorney Lee Pipkins recommended that Wilcox remain in the Ozark County Jail because “she is a terrible probationer.” According to Pipkins, Wilcox violated the conditions of her probation by being in contact with a convicted felon, Orval Merriman.
Wilcox was arrested in October 2024 at Merriman’s Theodosia residence while Ozark County deputies were serving a warrant for Merriman’s arrest.
On Nov. 4, Merriman and Wilcox were married while both were serving time in the Ozark County Jail.
Merriman was released on probation on the condition he was to be admitted to the residential rehabilitation program Standing by the Door in Hollister. However, according to Pipkins, Merriman has been given several releases by the program to come back into Ozark County.
Wilcox was released to court probationary services until her plea or trial setting at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 22, 2025. Opolka asked that the condition of having no contact with Merriman be removed since the two are now married. Pipkins objected to the motion and asked that the no contact condition remain. The court agreed with Pipkins and Wilcox was ordered to continue having no contact with Merriman.
“So I’m not allowed to have contact with my husband?” Wilcox asked from where she was sitting among the other prisoners.
“No contact with him until further notice from the court,” said Judge Carter.
Warrant issued
A capias warrant for failure to appear was issued for Bruce Conway Stewart Jr. According to Prosecuting Attorney Lee Pipkin, Stewart, who was scheduled for a probation violation hearing on Dec. 4, had been extradited to Arkansas. 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
Not guilty pleas
Sandra Coons waived formal arraignment and reading of the charges on Nov. 25 and entered a plea of not guilty to charges of second degree drug trafficking and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. A plea or trial setting was scheduled for 9 a.m. Dec. 4 and was continued to 9 a.m. Jan. 8, 2025. She also appeared for a plea or trial setting on charges of second degree assault on a special victim and abuse of elderly, disabled or vulnerable person. The court was informed of revised information and the plea or trial setting was continued to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 22, 2025. She remains in the Ozark County Jail.
Logan Dakota Johnson waived formal arraignment and reading of the charges on Nov. 25 and entered a plea of not guilty to the charge of resisting arrest, detention or stop by fleeing - creating a substantial risk of serious injury or death to any person. A plea or trial setting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Jan. 8, 2025.
Michelle D. Miller waived formal arraignment and reading of the charges on Nov. 25 and entered a plea of not guilty to charges delivery of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, and unlawful use of a weapon by possessing a weapon and a felony controlled substance. A plea or trial setting was scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Jan. 22, 2025.
Chad Russell McKee waived formal arraignment and reading of the charges on Nov. 25 and entered a plea of not guilty to charges of first degree assault or attempt to cause serious physical injury or special victim, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon by exhibiting and possession of a controlled substance. A plea or trial setting was held on Dec. 4 and the case was continued to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 22, 2025. According to Prosecuting Attorney Lee Pipkins, a plea offer will be extended to McKee. The Judge also agreed to the return of McKee’s cell phone which had been in evidence since his arrest.
Andrew Wesley Lovelace waived formal arraignment and reading of the charges on Dec. 4 and pleaded not guilty to charges of DWI with physical injury and leaving the scene of an accident with property damage exceeding $1,000. A plea or trial setting is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Feb. 19, 2025.
Alexander J. Olson waived formal arraignment and reading of the charges on Dec. 4 and entered a plea of not guilty to charges of resisting arrest, detention or stop by fleeing and creating a substantial risk of serious injury or death to any person. A plea or trial setting is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Feb. 19, 2025.
Darin Van Evans waived formal arraignment and reading of the charges on Dec. 4 and entered a plea of not guilty to charges of DWI persistent offender. A plea or trial setting is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Jan. 22, 2025.
Continued to Dec. 18
Brian W. Cuthbertson appeared for a plea or trial setting after being released from the Missouri Department of Corrections. Cuthbertson appeared with his attorney Public Defender Chase Opolka. He is charged with second degree assault, first degree property damage and armed criminal action. He is scheduled to appear at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 18, for a plea.
A show cause summons was issued for Jerimiah Love for failure to appear. According to the court, Love is currently in the residential rehabilitation program Turning Leaf in West Plains. His case was continued to 1:30 p.m. Dec. 18. 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 use of drug paraphernalia, escape or attempted escape from confinement and damage to jail or jail property.
The case review for James Carl Reed is rescheduled for 1:30 p.m. Dec. 18. He is charged with first degree property damage, leaving the scene of an accident with property damage exceeding $1,000 and second degree trespassing.
Continued to Jan. 8, 2025
Dylan Burke appeared for a probation violation hearing on Nov. 25. Because new charges are pending, the hearing was rescheduled to 9 a.m. Jan. 8, 2025.
A plea or trial setting was rescheduled for 9 a.m. Jan. 8, 2025, in the case of Robert C. Hudson. Hudson is charged with possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia with prior drug offense and first degree harassment.
A plea or trial setting was rescheduled for 9 a.m. Jan. 8, 2025, for David L. Bradberry II. Bradberry was in the custody of the Ozark County Sheriff’s Department for violating his probation for failure to appear. He explained that the reason he failed to appear was because his significant other recently died, and requested that he be released from custody. He also reported that he had applied to the Action Recovery Center program. Prosecuting Attorney Pipkins opposed the release because of several other alleged probation violations. Judge Carter ordered that Bradberry be released to court probationary services from the Ozark County with a GPS monitor. Bradberry is charged with delivery or possession of a controlled substance at a county jail, private jail or correction center except with prescription and possession of a controlled substance.
Continued to Jan. 22, 2025
On Nov. 25, Michael L. Jones appeared for a probation violation hearing and a plea or trial setting on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm. However, additional charges were filed on the same day and he is scheduled for a plea or trial setting at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 22, 2025.
A plea or trial setting for Thomas Stephen Pettit was continued to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 22, 2025. Pettit is charged with three counts possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia with a prior drug offense.
A plea or trial setting for Christopher Scott Davis was continued to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 22, 2025. Davis is charged with possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, stealing and first degree trespass.
A plea or trial setting for Jimmy C. Haag was continued to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 22, 2025. Haag is charged with second degree domestic assault.
Jared W. Johnston appeared with his attorney Public Defender Chase Opolka for a plea or trial setting. He was ordered to be released from the Ozark County Jail and to report to Action Recovery Center, a residential rehabilitation program in Gainesville. He is scheduled to appear for a plea or trial setting at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 22, 2025. Johnston is charged with second degree drug trafficking and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia - amphetamine or methamphetamine.
Michael Cory Collins appeared with his attorney Public Defender Chase Opolka for a plea or trial setting. He recently completed FCC and was ordered released to court probationary services. His plea or trial setting was rescheduled to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 22, 2025. He is charged with resisting arrest, detention or stop by fleeing - 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 was rescheduled for 1:30 p.m. Jan. 22, 2025, for Gregory Broya Hambelton. Hambelton is charged with first degree harassment, second degree terroristic threatening, fourth degree domestic assault, driving without a license, first degree trespassing and fourth degree domestic assault. The court was also informed that Hambelton has two pending cases in Division 2 Court.
Continued to Feb. 5, 2025
Julia Anne Lesh appeared for a probation violation on Nov. 25 after serving a seven day shock incarceration. Her probation violation hearing was rescheduled to 9 a.m. Feb. 5, 2025.
Continued to Feb. 19, 2025
A probation conditions review hearing for William D. Meeks was held Dec. 4 and he was ordered to appear before the court again at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 19, 2025. Meeks, who was charged for non-support for child support arrears, was also ordered to have an income withholding order placed on his paycheck.
A plea or trial setting was continued to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 19, 2025, for Timothy Kyle Sprague. He is charged with two counts of third degree domestic assault.
Continued to March 5, 2025
Trenton Strain appeared for a plea or trial setting. His setting was continued to 9 a.m. March 5, 2025. He is charged with second degree arson, eight counts of armed criminal action and seven counts of knowingly burning or exploding.
Continued on probation
Kenneth Cowart appeared for a probation conditions review hearing on Nov. 25. He was continued on probation.
William T. Chamberlain appeared for a probation violation hearing on Nov. 25. He was continued on probation with the condition of attending drug court removed.
Joshua D. Hergesheimer appeared for a case review on Nov. 25. He was continued on probation.
A probation violation hearing was held Dec. 4 for Amber S. Davis. She was continued on probation and owed costs will be sent to collections.