Teconchuk has probation revoked, sentence imposed

Danial Teconchuk, 54, of Gainesville, is currently in the Ozark County Jail awaiting to be transported to the Missouri Department of Corrections, after having his probation revoked and sentence imposed during the Ozark County Circuit Court Law Day on Wednesday, Jan. 22.

In October 2019, Teconchuk pleaded guilty to first degree property damage, second degree burglary, stealing $750 or more, and possession of a controlled substance. At that time, Teconchuk was sentenced to SIS and five years probation. 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 their probation, at the end of the probation period the court will close the case and they will not have a criminal conviction on their records. However, if the defendant violates the probation, a full sentence may be invoked.

In October 2024, Teconchuk admitted to violating terms of his probation by failing to pay restitution as part of the sentencing agreement in his cases from 2019. Ozark County Prosecuting Attorney Lee Pipkins requested that Teconchuk’s probation be revoked and Teconchuk to be sent to prison because “I don’t think he will ever pay the restitution.”

Teconchuk’s attorney, Public Defender Chase Opolka objected. “[Teconchuk] now works at J&L Recycling,” he told the court. “I’m asking to revoke his probation and issue a new term of probation. If he is sentenced to the DOC it will completely annihilate any progress he’s made.”

Because of several violations including a violation in August 2024 when Teconchuk tested positive “again” for methamphetamine, Pipkins said he feared Teconchuk’s money was “going to meth, not restitution.”

Opolka once again asked the court to issue a new term of probation for Teconchuk in order to “give him a chance to make substantial restitution payments.” 

Judge Carter overruled Opolka’s motion, revoked Teconchuk’s probation and sentenced him to seven years each on the charges of burglary, property damage and stealing, and four years on possession of a controlled substance. All sentences are to be served concurrently.