Former local judge charged with possession of meth in Ava

Once entrusted with upholding the law, a former local associate circuit judge is now accused of breaking it.

Roger Wall, 78, of Ava, who served as an associate judge in Douglas County and presided over cases in Ozark County in the 1990s and 2000s, has been charged with possession of methamphetamine and several weapons offenses following the execution of a search warrant last week at his Ava residence.

According to the probable cause statement, filed in the case by Douglas County Sheriff Chris DeGase, deputies with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office served simultaneous search warrants at two residences on the same property off County Road AB-230 in Ava on Feb. 3. 

One team made entry into the residence where Wall was located, finding him lying in bed in a back bedroom and reporting he was sick and unable to get up. Deputies cleared the area around him for weapons and allowed him to remain in bed while the search was conducted. 

During the search, deputies reported locating a baggie containing a crystal substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine. The substance was found on a kitchen table under Wall’s mail and next to his laptop computer and wallet, the report states. An individual at the residence told deputies Wall sits at the kitchen table on his laptop “nearly all day, every day.” 

Investigators also seized nine firearms from the residence, as well as a Dell laptop and a cellphone belonging to Wall, according to the statement. 

In addition, deputies seized a human anatomical model that the report states is property of Douglas County and had been used as evidence in a coroner’s inquest. The model is listed as stolen from Douglas County. 

The probable cause statement notes that a warrant was requested for Wall’s arrest, but the sheriff asked that due to his deteriorating health conditions, he be allowed to remain at home on house arrest. Associate Judge Elizabeth Bock granted that request, but indicated Wall would need to remain on house arrest with supervision by Court Probationary Services. 

Wall is charged in Douglas County with possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and nine counts of unlawful use of a weapon for reportedly possessing the firearms at the same time as a felony-level controlled substance. 

Wall has pleaded not guilty and is being represented by defense attorney Jason MacPherson of Mountain Grove. MacPherson has filed a motion to dismiss the case, citing that the complaint filed was not signed by the Prosecuting Attorney. He has also filed a motion for disclosure. The judge has not yet ruled on the motions, according to the case details. 

Douglas County Prosecuting Attorney Matthew Weatherman represents the state. The case remains pending in Douglas County Court.

A summons has been issued for Wall to appear in Douglas County Court at 9 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, for an arraignment hearing. 

Newspaper archives indicate Wall previously served as public defender, prosecuting attorney and associate judge at various times within the 44th circuit  (Ozark, Douglas and Wright Counties) from the 1980s through early 2000s. During his time as associate judge, he frequently presided over cases in Ozark County. 

This arrest isn’t the first time Wall has faced serious legal scrutiny. In 2005, he was the subject of federal child pornography charges stemming from allegations that he provided videotapes depicting a minor to a third party for safekeeping. After nearly three years and three indictments, a federal judge dismissed the case with prejudice, citing repeated delays by the U.S. Attorney’s Office that violated Wall’s right to a speedy trial. 

While he avoided conviction, the case marked a highly publicized and controversial episode in his legal history.