Three plead guilty during Ozark County law day

Three guilty pleas were heard, five warrants issued and 34 cases were considered during the July 8 session of Ozark County Circuit Court.

Not guilty pleas

Eugene Collins Clayton waived formal arraignment and entered a plea of not guilty to charges of the class C felony of chronic DWI, class E felony of third or subsequent offense of operating a vehicle without a valid license, misdemeanor failure to maintain financial responsibility and misdemeanor failure to drive on the right half of roadway. Clayton is charged as a persistent and prior offender. He remains in the Ozark County Jail with no bond. 

Gary Donley waived formal arraignment and entered a plea of not guilty to charges of the class B felony second degree trafficking drugs, class C felony unlawful possession of a firearm, and the class E felonies of unlawful use of a weapon by possessing weapon and a felony controlled substance, keeping or maintaining a public nuisance, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia - amphetamine or methamphetamine. He is scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m. Oct. 7.

Guilty pleas

Levi Chad Hambelton entered guilty pleas on two counts of possession of a controlled substance, a class D felony. He was sentenced to seven years each in the Missouri Department of Corrections, SES, five years probation and ordered to successfully complete the Action Recovery Center program. An 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 the terms of that probation.

Amanda Katherine Winlock entered a guilty plea to possession of a controlled substance. She was sentenced to five years in DOC, SES and five years probation. She was sentenced as a prior drug offender.

Misty J. Brotherton entered guilty pleas to the class E felony of possession of a controlled substance and the class C felony of stealing $25,000 or more, in a change of venue case from Douglas County. In accordance with a plea agreement, charges of misdemeanor unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia with prior drug offense were dismissed. 13 counts of the class E felony of stealing an animal and 12 counts of misdemeanor animal abuse. She was sentenced to 10 years in the DOC, SES, five years probation and ordered to pay $87,000 at the rate of $250 per month in restitution for the stealing charge. She was sentenced to five years DOC, SES and five years probation for the possession charge. All sentences are to run concurrent.

Warrants issued

Dustin Helton failed to appear for his pre-trial hearing and the Aug. 23 trial was canceled. A capias warrant was issued for Helton’s arrest. A capias warrant authorizes the arrest and detainment of a person who is charged with a crime or has failed to comply with court orders.

A capias warrant was also issued for Jaime Carrillo after he failed to appear for a plea or trial setting. 

Darren Edward Pool failed to appear for his scheduled probation violation hearing. A capias warrant was issued.

A capias warrant was issued for Eric J. Hogard after he failed to appear for a plea or trial setting. 

A capias warrant was issued for Shylee Kaylena Adams when she failed to appear for a plea or trial setting.

A show cause warrant was issued for John Ray Fienhold. He is now set to appear at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 23. A show cause warrant is a court directive ordering a person to appear before a judge to explain why they should not be held in contempt for violating court orders.

Change of venue

Patricia Ann Santos-Duvalier appeared with her attorney and asked for a change of venue because of extensive media coverage of previous charges. The motion was sustained and a change of venue to Wright County was ordered. She is set to appear before the judge at 9 a.m. Aug. 5. She remains in the Ozark County Jail.

Ronnie Lansdown was granted change of venue from Ozark County to Wright County. He is scheduled to appear at 9 a.m. Sept. 9.

Trial canceled

The September trial for Matthew Tucker Trent was canceled. According to Prosecuting Attorney Lee Pipkins, the Missouri State Crime Lab has not yet furnished lab results. Trent is scheduled to appear at 9 a.m. Sept. 9.

Hearings

Eric Vandiver appeared for a probation status hearing. Vandiver had fulfilled paying restitution and was continued on probation.

The state withdrew a probation violation for Kimberly Morris. Because of new charges, Morris had her parole revoked and was transferred to the Missouri Department of Corrections.

A restitution hearing for Kelley Mitchell Risley was held. Risley was ordered to pay $2,849 at the rate of $200 per month.

Cases continued

Two cases were continued to Aug. 5, 10 cases were continued to Sept. 9 and one was continued to Oct. 7.