Two plead guilty during July 23 law day

During the July 23 law day in Ozark County Circuit Court, one jury trial was scheduled and two men pleaded guilty to various charges.

Trial set

A jury trial was set for March 2026 in the case of Gloria Barrett. A pretrial hearing will be held at 9 a.m. Feb. 4, 2026. Barrett is charged with possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

Guilty pleas

Gregory Broya Hambelton, 53, pleaded guilty by way of Alford plea to first degree harassment, misdemeanor fourth degree domestic assault and possession of a controlled substance. For first degree domestic assault, he was sentenced to 7 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections, SES, 5 years probation, and to enter and successfully complete Heartland Recovery. For misdemeanor fourth degree domestic assault, he was sentenced to six months in the Ozark County Jail. For possession of a controlled substance, Hambelton was sentenced 10 years in the DOC, SES, and 5 years probation. All sentences will run concurrent. 

An Alford plea means that Hambelton is not necessarily admitting the crime, but he believes the evidence would convince a jury of his peers to find him guilty, which could lead to a stiffer penalty than the charge and sentencing offered in the plea agreement.

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.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, charges of second degree terrorist threat, two charges of failure to appear, operating a motorcycle when driver’s license not validated for such operation and misdemeanor charges of first degree trespassing, fourth degree domestic assault, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting arrest, fourth degree assault, operating a motor vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner, two charges of driving while revoked and second degree property damage were dismissed.

David Zastrow, 53, pleaded guilty to delivery of a controlled substance (except 35 grams or less of marijuana or synthetic cannaboid), unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon by possessing weapon and a felony controlled substance. 

For delivery of a controlled substance except 35 grams or less of marijuana or synthetic cannaboid, he was sentenced to 10 years in the DOC, SES, with 5 years probation.

For unlawful possession of a firearm, he was sentenced 5 years in the DOC, SES, with 5 years probation.

For unlawful use of a weapon by possessing weapon and a felony controlled substance, he was sentenced to 4 years in the DOC, SES, and 5 years probation.

All sentences will run concurrent.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, charges of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia - amphetamine or methamphetamines and keeping or maintaining a public nuisance were dismissed.

Probation violations admitted

Jody Weyrauch admitted violating his probation. Public defender Chase Opolka requested that Weyrauch be continued on probation. His probation officer also recommended continuation.

However, Ozark County Prosecuting Attorney Lee Pipkins recommended revocation of probation and that he be sent to prison. “Probation is a privilege,” said Pipkins. Pipkins went on to say that he didn’t think Weyrauch showed appreciation for that privilege because when he was previously on probation out of Douglas County he cut his ankle monitor off his leg.

Carter released Weyrauch to Probation and Parole and set sentencing for 1:30 p.m. Sept. 24.

Brian Cuthbertson also appeared on two probation violations. However, before considering his hearing, Cuthbertson was ordered to submit to a urinalysis.

Cuthbertson texted positive for methamphetamine, and a revocation hearing was held.

“I’ve been trying to get help for three years,” Cuthbertson told the court. “But as a sexual offender I can’t go [just] anywhere.”

Pipkins listed several of the probation offenses and recommended straight revocation of probation and for Cuthbertson to be sent to the Missouri Department of Corrections.

“But it’s not going to help me,” said Cuthbertson.

“You definitely have a substance abuse problem,” said Carter.

Cutbertson’s probation officer said he’d been trying to get Cuthbertson into a treatment facility that accepts sex offenders. However, that is proving to be difficult because in Missouri only one facility accepts sex offenders.

Cuthbertson was remanded into the custody of OCSD and ordered to be screened for Drug Court. He is set to appear at 9 a.m. Aug. 6

Cases continued

One defendant was continued on probation.

Three cases were continued to 9 a.m. Aug. 6.

Four cases were continued to 9 a.m. Sept. 3.

Four cases were continued to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 24.