Trial set and sentences handed out
Circuit Court Judge Craig Carter processed 17 defendants during the Jan. 8 session of Ozark County Circuit Court.
Jury trial set
A trial was set in the case against Lori Shannon Collins. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for February 2026.
In connection with the June 12, 2024, death of her boyfriend Mark Ault, Collins is charged with second-degree murder/felony murder during perpetration, attempted perpetration or flight from perpetration of a felony a person dies, first degree tampering with a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of an accident with the accident resulting in the death of a person.
Withdraw of counsel
Public defender Chase Opolka filed a motion to withdraw from representing Tasha Carter. The motion was sustained.
Sentence handed down
Auden Vaneperen (see related story, below) was sentenced to 7 years in the Department of Corrections, SES with 5 years probation and ordered to successfully complete drug court.
An SES, or suspended execution of sentence, means a defendant will be sentenced to a prison term, but instead of going to prison right away they are instead be placed on probation. They do not have go to prison unless they violate the terms of that probation. Vaneperen pleaded guilty on Oct. 23, 2024, to delivery of a controlled substance.
Guilty plea
Brian W. Cuthbertson pleaded guilty to first degree property damage. He was sentenced to 4 years in the Department of Corrections, SES with 5 years probation (see related story, below.)
Discharged from probation
Sarah Sue Prewett was discharged from probation after successfully completing drug court.
Continued on probation
Zebulan Jones’s current term of probation was revoked, and a new term instated. He will continue on SIS and 5 years probation on the original charges of possession of a controlled substance.
Warrants issued
A capias warrant was issued for Danial Teconchuk for failure to appear. Teconchuk’s probation was revoked on Oct. 9, 2024, after he appeared with his attorney Chase Opolka on Oct. 9, 2024, and admitted that he violated his probation by failing to pay restitution.
Teconchuk was scheduled to appear for a sentencing hearing for his original charges from 2019 for first degree property damage, second degree burglary, stealing $750 or more and possession of a controlled substance. At that time, he pleaded guilty and received SIS and 5 years probation on all charges. An SIS, or suspended imposition of sentence, means that 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.
Teconchuk was taken into custody the afternoon of Jan. 8. The court ordered that Teconchuk be held with no bond until his sentencing hearing at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 22.
A warrant was issued for Michael Cory Collins. Collins failed to appear for his plea or trial setting. He is charged with resisting arrest, detention or stop by fleeing and creating a substantial risk of serious injury or death to any person, possession of a controlled substance and operating a motor vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner.
A warrant was issued for Christopher Curtis Dobbs. According to Dobb’s attorney, he was being held in the Howell County Jail on a probation violation. Dobbs is charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance and two counts of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia with a prior drug offense.
Continued to Jan. 22
The plea or trial setting for Logan Dakota Johnson was continued to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 22. Johnson is charged with resisting arrest, detention or stop by fleeing and creating a substantial risk of serious injury or death to any person.
The plea or trial setting for Robert C. Hudson was continued to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 22. Hudson is charged with possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia having a prior drug offense and first degree harassment.
The plea or trial setting for David L. Bradberry II was continued to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 22. A plea offer has been extended and Bradberry was given time to consider the state’s offer. Bradberry is charged with delivery or possession of a controlled substance at a county, private jail or correctional facility and possession of a controlled substance.
Continued to Feb. 5
The probation violation hearing for Kandace Newton was continued to 9 a.m. Feb. 5. On Dec. 13, 2024, a show cause summons was issued for Newton to appear for a probation violation hearing. Since that time, Newton served 7 days shock detention in the Ozark County Jail. During her January appearance, Newton tested negative for drugs after she was ordered to submit to a urine analysis. However, according to Ozark County Prosecutor Lee Pipkins, more charges are likely to be filed against Newton.
The plea or trial setting for Timothy William Kendrick was continued to 9 a.m. Feb. 5. Kendrick is charged with driving while revoked. At the time of his scheduled setting, Kendrick was in the custody of Greene County Sheriff’s Department. He was charged in Greene County with stealing a motor vehicle in Springfield on Dec. 23, 2024.
The plea or trial setting for Sandra Coons was continued to 9 a.m. Feb. 5. Coons is charged with second degree trafficking drugs and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Continued to March 19
The probation violation hearing for Dylan M. Burke was continued to 1:30 p.m. March 19. Burke is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in Ozark County Associate Court on March 11 on charges of driving while intoxicated, charged as a persistent offender.
The plea or trial setting for Jerry Parks was continued to 1:30 p.m. March 19. According to Pipkins, the attorneys are still waiting for DNA results. 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.