Two repeat DWI offenders face new felony charges

Two men with lengthy histories of impaired driving offenses are facing new felony charges after separate traffic stops in Ozark County uncovered allegations of driving while intoxicated, revoked licenses and other criminal violations.

Both suspects, 55-year-old Curtis Burris of Bradleyville and 50-year-old Dallas Conn, were being held in the Ozark County Jail as of presstime Tuesday.

Burris arrested for DWI in stop on Highway H

According to a probable cause statement prepared by Ozark County Deputy Josh Sherman, Burris was driving a black 2000 Ford pickup northbound on Highway H near the Highway 160 intersection in the Tecumseh area around 7 p.m. July 18 when the officer observed the vehicle cross into the opposing lane of traffic and repeatedly ride the center line.

Sherman initiated a traffic stop at the Missouri Department of Conservation-managed access at Patrick Bridge, a low-water crossing on H Highway over the North Fork of the White River.

Burris reportedly exited the vehicle from the passenger side and provided a Missouri non-driver identification card, telling deputies his driver’s license had been revoked because of a previous DWI conviction. He also reportedly said he was actively on probation and parole through Taney County.

During a consented search of the vehicle, Deputy Jeff Lane, who was riding with Sherman, reportedly found one alcoholic beverage container inside the truck and another on the passenger-side floorboard.

After Burris was seated in the front passenger seat of the patrol vehicle, Sherman reported noticing a strong odor of alcohol coming from him. Burris reportedly admitted to drinking a beer shortly before the traffic stop.

Sherman noted that Burris had glassy, bloodshot and watery eyes, along with slightly slurred and confused speech.

Burris agreed to participate in standardized field sobriety testing. According to the report, he showed several indicators of impairment during the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, including a lack of smooth pursuit, distinct sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation and onset prior to 45 degrees. He declined to complete the walk-and-turn and one-leg stand tests.

Based on the traffic violations, signs of impairment, odor of alcohol, open containers and Burris’ admission to consuming alcohol, Sherman placed him under arrest.

Burris was transported to the Ozark County Sheriff’s Office, where Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper Wylie responded. A breath test attempt was unsuccessful because of equipment issues, but Burris consented to a blood draw, according to the report.

Burris has been charged with driving while intoxicated as an aggravated offender, a felony-level charge due to his prior DWI convictions. Court records show previous DWI convictions in West Plains in 2008, Howell County in 2012 and Douglas County in 2018.

As an aggravated offender, Burris could face enhanced penalties if convicted, including a requirement to serve at least 60 days of imprisonment before becoming eligible for parole or probation.

He is also charged with operating a vehicle on a highway without a valid license (third or subsequent offense), operating a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner, failure to drive on the right half of the roadway and consuming an alcoholic beverage while driving.

Burris remained in the Ozark County Jail Tuesday and was scheduled for a bond hearing. Details of that hearing were unavailable at presstime.

Conn arrested in Highway 160 stop

Five days later, another repeat DWI offender was arrested following a traffic stop on Highway 160 in Isabella.

According to a probable cause statement prepared by Ozark County Lt. Matt Rhoades, he and Deputy Gannon Moss stopped a truck and trailer around 6:20 p.m. July 23 after a computer check reportedly showed the trailer’s license plate was not registered.

When asked for his driver’s license, Conn reportedly told officers he did not have a valid license because he was actively on probation for a felony DWI case.

During the interaction, Rhoades reported observing several physical signs of impairment, including slurred speech and the odor of alcohol coming from Conn’s breath.

Conn reportedly gave officers permission to search the vehicle. Inside the truck, officers allegedly found an open alcoholic beverage inside a koozie that was still cold to the touch, six empty beer cans and a cooler filled with beer on ice.

Officers also reportedly found a loaded Colt 1911 .45-caliber handgun marked “Property of U.S. Government” on the rear passenger seat, along with additional .45-caliber ammunition in the center console.

When questioned about the firearm, Conn reportedly said it belonged to his 91-year-old grandmother. He told officers he had gone target shooting with her two days earlier to help ensure she was comfortable using the gun, and that the firearm must have fallen from the center console when she left the vehicle.

Rhoades then conducted standardized field sobriety testing. According to the report, Conn showed indicators of impairment during the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, including lack of smooth pursuit, distinct sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation and onset prior to 45 degrees.

During the walk-and-turn test, Conn reportedly missed heel-to-toe contact six times, stumbled off balance and stopped several times to steady himself. During the one-leg stand, he reportedly began before being instructed to do so and swayed significantly while attempting to balance.

Conn refused to submit to a breath or blood test, according to the report. Officers then sought a search warrant allowing a blood draw to be completed.

Court records show Conn is a convicted felon and had a revoked driver’s license due to previous DWI convictions. The probable cause statement indicates he has at least eight prior DWI convictions, qualifying him as a chronic DWI offender.

Because of his felony status, officers allege Conn was also prohibited from possessing the firearm found inside the vehicle.

Conn has been charged with driving while intoxicated as a habitual offender, unlawful possession of a firearm and driving with a revoked license. He could face increased penalty if convicted.

He remained in the Ozark County Jail as of presstime Tuesday.