Three taken into custody, judge accepts several guilty pleas during OC Law Days

Several guilty pleas were entered during the Oct. 23 and Nov. 6 sessions of Ozark County Circuit Court.

Michael Szabo’s probation was revoked and he was sentenced to four years in the Missouri Department of Corrections during his Nov. 6 appearance. (See story at right)

Orval D. Merriman appeared during the Nov. 6 session with his attorney Rodney Daniels appearing via video conference. He was released from custody to Standing by the Door residential rehab program in Branson. Merriman is scheduled to appear at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 22, 2025, for review. (See story at right)

Herbert Palmer, currently in custody at the Missouri Department of Corrections, pleaded guilty on Nov. 6 to the charge of failure to appear. He was sentenced to 2 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections, to run concurrently with his present sentence. 

Auden Micheal Vaneperan pleaded guilty on Oct. 23 to charges of delivery of a controlled substance. According to a plea agreement, a sentencing assessment report will be conducted, and the state will agree to cap Vaneperen’s sentence at 7 years. As a term of the plea agreement, charges of first degree tampering with a motor vehicle were dismissed. He is ordered to appear at 9 a.m. Jan. 8, 2025, for sentencing. 

According to the filed probable cause statement, prepared by Ozark County Deputy Josh Sherman, Vaneperen sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant between Sept. 1-15, 2023. The purchase was monitored by Sheriff Lt. Matt Rhoades.

Summer Dawn Luna pleaded guilty on Oct. 23 to possession of a controlled substance and was sentenced to SIS and 5 years supervised probation and ordered to successfully complete drug court. A 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. (See story at right)

Michael D. Peardon pleaded guilty on Oct. 23 to possession of a controlled substance and unlawful use of a weapon by possessing a weapon and a felony controlled substance and was sentenced to SIS and 5 years supervised probation. According to a plea agreement, two charges of unlawful use of a weapon by possessing a weapon and a felony controlled substance and one charge of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia were dismissed. (See story at right)

Daniel W. Planty pleaded guilty by way of Alford plea on Oct. 23 to possession of a controlled substance and was sentenced to 5 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections with credit for time served. 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. Planty is currently on parole from Texas and being supervised in Arkansas and has six previous convictions, said Prosecuting Attorney Lee Pipkins. Charges of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, stealing and first degree trespass were dismissed.

According to the previously filed probable cause statement prepared by Ozark County Sgt. Seth Miller, on June 24, Planty and another man were observed loading stolen scrap metal onto a trailer. The metal was on a property whose owner was deceased and they did not have permission to take any items from the property. Miller also wrote that he found drug paraphernalia under the driver’s seat of the Toyota Tundra being driven by Planty. 

Charles J. Simpson remains in the Ozark County Jail after Pipkins filed a motion to revoke his probation during his appearance on Nov. 6. Simpson, who has been in custody since Oct. 28, is charged with a probation violation by refusing to submit to a urine analysis. Carter appointed the public defender to appear with Simpson. Simpson is scheduled to appear at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 25. 

Warrant issued

On Oct. 23, a show cause hearing is set for 9 a.m. Nov. 6 in the case of Preston Mulanax who failed to appear for a plea or trial setting. Mulanax is charged with two counts of third degree assault. Mulanax failed to appear during the Nov. 6 session and a capias warrant was issued for failure to appear.

Taken into custody

Zebulan R. Jones appeared for a probation violation hearing on Oct. 23. Jones was declared to be an absconder and also has warrants for his arrest in Arkansas. Judge Carter appointed Public Defender Chase Opolka to Jones’ case. He was originally sentenced in August 2021 to SIS and 5 years supervised probation for possession of a controlled substance. Jones was remanded into custody of the Ozark County Sheriff’s Department and his hearing was rescheduled to 9 a.m. Nov. 6. During his Nov. 6 appearance, another hearing was rescheduled for 9 a.m. Jan. 8. He remains in the Ozark County Jail. 

David L. Bradberry II was taken into custody by the Ozark County Sheriff’s Office during his probation violation hearing Nov. 6. According to Pipkins, Bradberry has been absconding since August. Pipkins said he also anticipates more charges will be filed against Bradberry. His probation violation hearing was rescheduled to 9 a.m. Dec. 4. He was originally charged with possession a controlled substance and delivery of possession of a controlled substance at a county or private jail or correctional facility.

Discharged from probation

Brandon J. Adams was discharged from probation during his Nov. 6 appearance.

Trial set

During the Oct. 23 session, a trial was scheduled in the case of William G. Hansen who is charged with stealing $750 or more. Hansen’s attorney Graham Potter asked that a plea agreement be considered. However, Ozark County Prosecuting Attorney Lee Pipkins denied a possible plea agreement. “The victims are not interested in restitution,” said Pipkins. “They want conviction and punishment.” Pretrial is set for June 4, 2025.

During the Nov. 6 session, a trial was scheduled in the case of Colin Crockett who is charged with stealing $750 or more. Pretrial is scheduled for June 18, 2025.

A trial was set for John R. Reed during the Nov. 6 session. Reed, who is charged with three counts of first degree statutory sodomy, remains in the Ozark County Jail. Reed’s attorney Public Defender Chase Opolka informed the court that although the court had agreed to Reed being released in September with GPS monitoring and house arrest, Reed was having difficulty finding a residence to fit the other bond requirements of no residence near a school. Reed faces similar charges in Wright County.

Opolka and Pipkins both agreed that they expects the trial would last three days. The earliest dates available are in the autumn of 2025. Pre-trial is scheduled for Sept. 3, 2025.

Not guilty plea

Michelle Wilcox waived formal arraignment on Oct. 23 and entered a plea of not guilty to two counts possession of a controlled substance and willfully failing or refusing to obey or resisting or opposing a law enforcement officer or firefighter in the proper discharge of their duties. She also appeared for a probation violation hearing. Both cases are rescheduled to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 25.

Matthew N. Collins waived formal arraignment on Oct. 23 and entered a plea of not guilty to charges of possession of a controlled substance, unlawful use of a weapon by possessing a weapon and a felony controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia with prior drug offense. According to Collins’ attorneys Joseph Passanise and Rickey Farrow, Collins is currently in an in-patient treatment center. His appearance was rescheduled to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 22, 2025.

Continued on probation

Brian E. Mottus appeared on Oct. 23 with his attorney Public Defender Chase Opolka for a probation conditions review hearing. He was continued on probation with the additional condition of successful completion of drug court.

Aaron Lee Davis appeared Nov. 6 for a probation violation hearing. He was continued on probation.

Jeffrey Pine appeared Nov. 6 for a probation conditions review hearing. According to the state, Pine is “on track with discharge.” He was continued on probation.

Michael B. Mansfield appeared Nov. 6 for a probation violation hearing. With no objection from the state or his probation officer, Mansfield was continued on probation.

Brady Keith Jonas appeared Nov. 6 for a probation violation hearing. According to the state, this was Jonas’ first violation. He was continued on probation. 

Continued to Nov. 25

The plea or trial setting for Sandra Coons was rescheduled to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 25. She is charged with second degree assault of a special victim and abuse of an elderly, disabled or vulnerable person. She remains in the Ozark County Jail.

Michael L. Jones was rescheduled to appear at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 25 for a plea or trial setting in a case where he is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and a probation violation hearing. According to the Ozark County Prosecuting Attorney Lee Pipkins, new charges will be filed against Jones.

Daniel Eric Johnson appeared for probation violation hearings in two cases. The hearing was continued to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 25. Johnson was originally convicted of tampering with or attempting to tamper with a victim in a felony prosecution and was sentenced to 4 years in the Department of Corrections with SES and 5 years supervised probation to run concurrent with the guilty plea in the second case. In the second case, he had pleaded guilty to third degree domestic assault and was sentenced to 4 years in the Department of Corrections with SES and 5 years supervised probation to run concurrent with the previous case. 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 terms of that probation. According to Johnson’s attorney John Adamik Jr., Johnson and his wife, the victim in the cases, are now back together and terms of his probation should be amended to reflect that.

During the Nov. 6 session, Johnson’s wife appeared in court and requested that the no contact order be removed from terms of the probation. Carter denied the request.

A pre-trial conference is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Nov. 25 for Juston Ralph Stoneking. Stoneking is charged with first degree harassment, fourth degree domestic assault and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Continued to Dec. 4

Bruce Conway Stewart Jr. was remanded into the custody of the Ozark County Sheriff’s Department Oct. 23 and his probation violation hearing was rescheduled to 9 a.m. Nov. 6. He told the court that he was applying to be accepted into the ARC program. However, during his appearance on Nov. 6, he informed the court that he had not been accepted into the program because “I wasn’t in enough trouble.” He requested to be continued on probation and be released from custody. “If I let you out you better not make me regret it,” said Judge Carter. Stewart was continued on probation and ordered to be released from the Ozark County Jail. He is set to appear at 9 a.m. Dec. 4. 

A plea offer was made to Kimberly J. Morris. She is scheduled to appear at 9 a.m. Dec. 4 for a plea. Morris is charged with possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia with prior drug offense.

A plea offer was made to Thomas Stephen Pettit. According to Pettit’s attorney, his client would like some time to think about the state’s offer. Pettit is ordered to appear at 9 a.m. Dec. 4 for a plea or trial setting.  (See story, page 5)

A plea offer was made to Christopher Scott Davis. According to Opolka and Pipkins there is some confusion about an outstanding warrant in Douglas County that has not yet been served. Davis is charged with possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia with prior drug offense, stealing and first degree trespassing. Davis was released from custody and ordered to appear at 9 a.m. Dec. 4 for a plea or trial setting.

Continued to Dec. 12

Jeremiah Love was scheduled to appear for plea or trial setting in two cases. Because he is currently in Turning Leaf rehabilitation center in West Plains, Love was rescheduled to appear at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 12. Love is charged with possession of a controlled substance, 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 possession of drug paraphernalia, escape or attempted escape from confinement and damage to jail or jail property. 

Continued to Jan. 8, 2025

A plea or trial setting for Jerry Parks was rescheduled for 9 a.m. Jan. 8, 2025. According to Parks’ attorney Chase Opolka, the defense is still awaiting labs from the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Parks is currently living in a sober living residence in Springfield. Parks is charged with first degree rape or attempted rape, delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.