Christian County Prosecuting Attorney, Amy Fite, announced that KENNY L. DEAN, dob: 7/18/1977 of Nixa, Missouri was sentenced by Christian County Circuit Judge Mark Orr on August 12, 2011 to ten (10) years in the Department of Corrections for the class B felony of burglary in the first degree, and seven (7) years on each of two counts of the class C felony of assault of a law enforcement officer in the second degree. Probation was denied and all sentences are to run concurrent.

On February 22, 2011, KENNY DEAN, led officers from the Nixa Police Department, Ozark Police Department and Missouri Highway Patrol on a high speed chase through Christian County after a reported kidnapping. The vehicle that KENNY DEAN was operating was finally stopped after a spike strip was deployed in the 2400 block of Westwind in Ozark. KENNY DEAN ran from his vehicle after it was stopped and entered a residence. Inside the residence, KENNY DEAN assaulted two officers. He was later detained in the front yard of the residence.

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Christian County Prosecuting Attorney, Amy Fite, is pleased to announce today that 1st Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Christopher W. Lebeck was selected for the Bar Leadership Academy. The Academy, now in it’s 12th year encourages diversity among the leadership of The Missouri Bar by recruiting and targeting young or recent admittees (under age 40 or less than 10 years of practice) to the Bar who are already outstanding leaders in their communities for participation in the program and a commitment to work for the Bar.

Academy participants are nominated by attorneys, their firms or coworkers, and local or specialty bars. Each class is limited to twelve or fewer members.

Participants in the program complete leadership training, develop and implement a community service project and prepare for a two year commitment of service to the Missouri Bar Association.

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The Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announced today that GREGORY WATSON, dob: 08/19/1988 of Springfield, Missouri plead guilty Friday without a plea agreement to the class B felony of burglary in the first degree in front of Christian County Circuit Judge Mark Orr. GREGORY WATSON was set to begin a jury trial on August 1, 2011 for the offense.

During the evening hours of December 14, 2010, GREGORY WATSON entered a residence in Nixa, Missouri. The homeowner awoke to his dog barking and found GREGORY WATSON standing in his laundry room. GREGORY WATSON then pulled what appeared to be a handgun and fled through the garage. The homeowner got his service weapon from his residence and chased after GREGORY WATSON. A vehicle was observed driving away from the residence at a high rate of speed. A purse, replica pistol and video games were stolen from the residence. GREGORY WATSON was caught on ATM camera attempting to use the homeowners ATM card at a Great Southern Bank in Springfield.

Formal sentencing is set for September 2, 2011. As there was no plea agreement with the Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, GREGORY WATSON faces the entire range of punishment of five (5) to fifteen (15) years in the Missouri Department of Corrections.

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The Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announced today that PATRICIA BERTRAND, dob: 9/4/1968 of Ozark, Missouri plead guilty without a plea agreement to the class B felony of producing a controlled substance in front of Christian County Circuit Judge Mark Orr.

On May 20, 2010, members of the Ozark Police Department and the COMET drug task force served a search warrant at 1310 3rd Street in Ozark. This was the location of Ozark Mountain Playground, a business owned by PATRICIA BERTRAND and her husband. During a search of the business, law enforcement located forty seven (47) mature marijuana plants inside a marijuana grow room that was equipped with grow lights, fans, a water source, an air purification system, and electronic timers. Elsewhere in the business, law enforcement located several containers of marijuana, digital scales, a vacuum sealing machine and various other drug paraphernalia. The marijuana that was seized was sent to the Missouri Highway Patrol Crime lab where it was weighed and tested. Total weight from the seizure was in excess of one thousand (1,000) grams of marijuana.

Formal sentencing is set for September 16, 2011. As there was no plea agreement with the Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, PATRICIA BERTRAND faces the entire range of punishment of five (5) to fifteen (15) years in the Missouri Department of Corrections.

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Christian County Prosecuting Attorney, Amy J. Fite announced today that TIMOTHY R. LAWRENCE JR., dob: 09/03/1985 of Ozark, Missouri plead guilty to the class B felony of possession of controlled substance with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm after a felony conviction. The defendant entered his plea in front of Christian County Circuit Judge Mark Orr.

On March 19, 2010, multiple law enforcement agencies including the COMET drug task force, Ozark Police Department, and Nixa Police Department served a search warrant on the home of LAWRENCE. During the search, officer recovered several bags of methamphetamine, a bag of marijuana and a variety of pills. A 9mm pistol was found in a bedroom in the home. LAWRENCE admitted to law enforcement officer that he was intending to sell the drug and had sold before. LAWRENCE had previously been convicted of possession of controlled substance and felony resisting arrest.

LAWRENCE was sentence to twelve years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute the drug and 7 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for illegal possession of the pistol. The sentences are to run concurrently with each other.

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