Two plead guilty during law day

A jury trial was set and two guilty pleas were accepted during the Dec. 3 Ozark County Circuit Court law day, presided over by Judge Craig Carter.

Dalton M. Howard was discharged from probation. 

Christopher Levi McKee was released two days early from 7-day shock detention. According to McKee’s attorney Christopher Swatosh, McKee was serving the shock time after testing positive for alcohol during a visit to Court Probationary Services. 

“He’s had 48 tests, and this is his first positive for anything,” Swatosh told the court.

Carter agreed to release McKee early. However, as McKee walked back to his seat, Carter took time to warn him about repeated appearances in court. “You don’t want me to see your name coming across my desk,” Carter said. “That’s when things get painful.”

Jury trial scheduled 

A jury trial was set for July 2025 in the case of Eric Scott McCrackin with pre-trial scheduled for June 3, 2025.

Guilty pleas

Dustin Heath Harrington pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance. He was sentenced to three years in the Missouri Department of Corrections to run concurrent with all current cases. Pursuant to a plea agreement the charge of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia was dismissed. (See story below)

Jeffrey William Kaufman pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a weapon - exhibiting and misdemeanor second degree harassment. Pursuant to a plea agreement, Kaufman was sentenced to three years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for the weapons charge SES and five years probation. He was sentenced to 30 days in the county jail for the harassment charge SES and two years probation. Both sentences are to run concurrent. He is also to have no contact with the victim in the case. An SES, or suspended execution of sentence, means Kaufman will be sentenced to a prison term but will be placed on probation and will not go to prison unless he violates the terms of that probation. (See story below.)

Warrants issued

A show cause warrant was issued for Alexander J. Olson II after he failed to appear for his scheduled appearance. He is now scheduled to appear before Judge Carter on Jan. 7.

A show cause warrant was issued for Matthew Demorest after he failed to appear for his scheduled appearance. He is now scheduled to appear Jan. 7.

Cases continued

Five cases were continued to Dec. 17.

Thirteen cases were continued to Jan. 7.

Two cases were continued to Feb. 4.