Pair charged in forgeries plead guilty
A Theodosia couple arrested in what investigators called an elaborate forgery and counterfeiting scheme back in January pleaded guilty during the June law day session last week in Ozark County Circuit Court.
Brandon Michael Jones, 33, pleaded guilty to three counts of felony forgery, plus possession of a controlled substance and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia. He is also charged as a prior persistent offender, having faced similar charges in Jasper County. Jones will be sentenced Sept. 5.
He and Catriona Marie Jones, 32, were arrested in January in what authorities called a "massive, multi-state counterfeiting ring." The scheme allegedly involved the production of bogus checks, driver's licenses, vehicle titles and credit cards. The couple had equipment to produce all of the fake material and had reproduced what officials called very high-quality fakes.
Mrs. Jones also appeared in court and pleaded guilty to three forgery charges and a felony stealing/theft charge. She was also charged as a persistent prior offender and will be sentenced Sept. 5.
Both remain in the Ozark County Jail.
A 19-year-old woman who claimed she served as the "lookout" while her friend burglarized the Lilly Ridge General Baptist Church in February pleaded guilty to second degree burglary, property damage and felony theft/stealing.
Hayli Compton, 19, pleaded guilty to the charges after she and Nathan Travis Nichols, also 19, were arrested for the church burglary where audio and video equipment was taken. Compton was given a suspended sentence and five years probation and ordered to pay $767 in damages to the church.
Nichols also appeared in court; his case was set for appearance July 11 before Circuit Judge John Moody.
Fifteen cases were continued to a later date, including that of accused killer Marty Wayne Overby, 33.
Overby faces first degree murder, arson, armed criminal action and robbery charges stemming from an incident in September 2010 where an Isabella man's body was found inside his burned mobile home near Spring Creek. His case was set for Sept. 5.