Two sent to MoDOC drug treatment during Feb. 9 Law Day

Circuit Judge Craig Carter processed 12 civil cases and 13 criminal cases during the Feb. 9 session of Ozark County Law Day. Updates on the outcomes of the criminal cases are listed here.

Sent to drug treatment programs in Missouri’s prison system

Sarah Sue Prewett pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance and was sentenced to a 120-day institutional drug treatment program within the Missouri Department of Corrections (MoRS: 559.115), and will be released on supervised probation for the rest of a 5 year term. When she’s on probation she must also enter and complete Ozark County Drug Treatment Court. 

Curtis J. Gray, who pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance in July 2021, appeared for a probation violation hearing. He was given an additional condition of probation to attend the Missouri Department of Corrections post conviction drug treatment program (MoRS: 217.785). 

Sent to collections

Julie M. Lazorchak, who pleaded guilty to five counts of forgery in April 2015, appeared for a probation violation hearing. Restitution, court costs and fines will be sent to collection agency to follow up with. 

Failure to appear

Deborah C. Collins, was scheduled to be arraigned on a charge of possession of a controlled substance. She did not appear for the hearing. A capias warrant, meaning a warrant with no bond and with full extradition rights, was issued. 

Geoffrey B. Morrison, charged with non-support of a child with arrears in excess of a years’ worth of child support payments, did not appear for his scheduled hearing. A show-case hearing summons is to be mailed to Morrison to compel him to court for his next hearing, scheduled for 9 a.m. March 9. 

Screening for drug court

Justin Patrick Bell, who pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm in September 2020, appeared for a case review. He is ordered to be screened for the Ozark County Court Drug Treatment Program. He was released from custody with the stipulation that he be supervised by the Missouri Division of Probation and Parole. The probation violation hearing was continued to 9 a.m. March 9. 

There have been five probation violations filed in the case since he was convicted. The most recent violation report was filed on Jan. 8. 

Brian K. Moray, who pleaded guilty to non-support of a child with arrears in excess of a years’ worth of child support payments in August 2016, appeared for a probation violation hearing. Moray is awaiting screening results for the Dallas County Drug Treatment Program. His hearing here was rescheduled for 9 a.m. March 9 in order to allow the results to come in. 

Scheduled or continued to March 9

Michael S. Burkeen, appeared in two cases. In one case, he’s charged with assault, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon (shooting at a person, building, motor vehicle) and receiving stolen property. In another case he’s charged with burglary and two counts of stealing a firearm. The judge’s docket entries explain: “The defendant again informs the court that the alleged video of defendant shooting a firearm is still not available. If video from probable cause statement is not identified by 9 Mar 2022, the defendant’s motion for pretrial release to Care Center Ministries [a faith- based drug/alcohol treatment facility] will be sustained.” He’s ordered to return to court for a hearing at 9 a.m. March 9. 

William T. Hill, appeared for probation violations in two cases filed against him: one in which he pleaded guilty to domestic assault and unlawful possession of a firearm and other in which he pleaded guilty to first-degree property damage. Both convictions were in August 2021. The hearings were continued to 9 a.m. March 9. 

Kandace Newton, charged with hindering the prosecution of a felony and possession of a controlled substance, appeared for a plea hearing/trial setting. It was continued to 9 a.m. March 9. 

Scheduled or continued to April 6

Joshua Ryan Allen, charged with operating a vehicle on a highway without a valid license (third and subsequent offense), appeared for a plea hearing or trial setting. It was continued to 9 a.m. April 6. 

Danial Teconchuk appeared for probation violation hearings in two cases. In one case he pleaded guilty to property damage, and in another case he pleaded guilty to burglary, stealing ($750 or more) and possession of a controlled substance. Both convictions were in October 2019. He paid $100 toward the cases. 

The probation violation hearing was continued to 9 a.m. April 6.