Two plead guilty during May 22 court

Circuit Judge Craig Carter processed 16 cases during the May 22 session of Ozark County court.

Guilty pleas

April Dawn Perry pleaded guilty to two counts of forgery and two counts of possession of a controlled substance. She is sentenced to SIS with 5 years supervised 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. Perry is also ordered to successfully complete the ARC program in Gainesville. Three counts of attempting to pass bad checks, one count of forgery and two counts of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia were dismissed.

Perry was initially charged for instances from August and October 2023. According to initial probable cause statements, Perry attempted to cash two two-party checks at the Town & Country Supermarket in Gainesville from “Construction Property Rehabs,” a false business account. The checks were returned with an “unable to locate account.” Perry was photographed in the store cashing the checks and was identified by store employees.

According to another probable cause statement, on Oct. 26, 2023, Perry attempted to cash a check from Guy Eslinger at Stockmens Bank in Gainesville and was confronted by a teller at the bank about the check. Eslinger died in Nov. 28, 2021.

William D. Meeks, charged with non-support with total arrears in excess of 12 monthly payments due under order of support, entered a guilty plea. He is sentenced to SIS with 5 years supervised probation. Meeks is ordered to pay off the remaining arrearage and will be discharged upon payment in full of arrears. He is set for a probation condition review hearing Dec. 4, 2024. 

Not guilty pleas

Timothy J. Frye waived formal arraignment and entered a plea of not guilty on charges of first degree harassment and fourth degree assault - special victims. On May 30, Public Defender Chase Opolka filed a motion for a change of judge and venue. Frye is set to appear before Judge Carter at 9 a.m. June 5.

Brandon Guidry waived formal arraignment and entered a plea of not guilty on charges of resisting/interfering with arrest for a felony, receiving stolen property and possession of a controlled substance. He is set to appear at 9 a.m. June 5. Guidry also appeared for a plea or trial setting on charges of possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia - amphetamine or methamphetamine, two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, second degree terrorist threat and damage to jail or jail property. Due to the new charges of resisting arrest, receiving stolen property and possession, the plea or trial settings were also rescheduled to 9 a.m. June 5.

Continued to June 5

Colin Crockett appeared for a plea or trial setting. He is charged with stealing $750 or more. Plea or trial setting was postponed to 9 a.m. June 5.

Brian William Cuthbertson appeared for a probation violation hearing. According to online court records, Cuthbertson has new charges pending and Public Defender Chase Opolka was appointed and his hearing was rescheduled for June 20. However, an alias capias warrant was issued for a probation violation on May 30 and Cuthbertson was scheduled to appear at 9 a.m. June 5. Cuthbertson was taken into custody June 1 and remains in the Ozark County Jail. He is scheduled to appear before Ozark County Associate Court Judge Raymond Gross at 9 a.m. July 9.

Continued to June 20

Robert A. Wages appeared for a plea or trial setting. He is charged with first degree rape or attempted rape, two counts of first degree sodomy or attempted sodomy and second degree knowingly allowing or failing to stop a person under 21 from drinking or possessing intoxicating liquor. According to online court records, lab results were still not available. His case was continued to 1:30 p.m. June 20.

Brian E. Mottus appeared for a probation condition review hearing on a March 2024 conviction and a plea or trial setting on charges of operating a vehicle on the highway without a valid license. The review and plea or trial setting were rescheduled for 1:30 p.m. June 20.

Daniel R. Mahan appeared for a plea or trial setting on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm. His case was rescheduled for 1:30 p.m. June 20.

Andrew Brandt Clay was rescheduled for a bond hearing at 1:30 p.m. June 20. He is charged with first degree, first offense stalking, first degree harassment, first offense peace disturbance and two counts of fourth degree assault.

Jeremiah Love appeared for a plea or trial setting on charges of escape or attempt to escape from confinement and damage to jail or jail property. Love was released to Turning Leaf, a drug treatment center in West Plains. He is scheduled to reappear for plea or trial setting at 1:30 p.m. June 20.

Kimberly J. Morris appeared for a plea or trial setting on charges of possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia with prior drug offense. The setting was rescheduled for 1:30 p.m. June 20. According to online court records, Morris is currently incarcerated in the Missouri Department of Corrections and filed a request for a speedy trial on June 3.

Continued to July 3

Herbert Palmer, charged with felony failure to appear, was originally scheduled to appear May 22 for a plea or trial setting. According to online court records, Palmer is currently in the Missouri Department of Corrections. He is scheduled to appear at 9 a.m. July 3.

Linda Ann Schwalm appeared for a plea or trial setting on charges of possession of a controlled substance, keeping or maintaining a public nuisance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia with prior drug offense. Her plea or trial setting is scheduled for final continuance 9 a.m. July 3. According to online court records, Schwalm completed 60 days in a treatment center and is currently being supervised by court probationary services at her mother’s home.

Continued to Aug. 7

Michael L. Jones was charged with a probation violation. Jones is currently in rehab and his probation violation hearing was postponed until 9 a.m. Aug. 7.

Continued

James C. Reed appeared for a plea or trial setting on charges of unlawful use of a weapon by shooting at or from a motor vehicle at a person, motor vehicle or building, first degree harassment, armed criminal action and second degree tampering with a motor vehicle. Defense attorney Bethany Turner filed a motion for examination and determination of fitness to proceed. Judge Carter sustained the motion. The case was suspended until completion of the mental evaluation.