Christian County Prosecuting Attorney, Amy J. Fite announced today that JAMES MAGGARD, dob: 4/1/1982 of Ozark, Missouri plead guilty to two counts of the class C felony of possession of a controlled substance in two separate cases in front of Christian County Circuit Judge Mark Orr. The events occurred on February 19, 2010 and June 2, 2010.

In both cases, JAMES MAGGARD was set to begin a jury trial this morning. Prior to the beginning of trial, JAMES MAGGARD entered an open plea. There was no plea agreement and sentencing will determined by the court. The State was ready to proceed and was prepared to go to trial on both cases.

On February 19, 2010, JAMES MAGGARD was found parked in the middle of 9th street by Ozark Police at 2:35 a.m. Officers found JAMES MAGGARD to be under the influence of some substance. During a search they located oxycodone, a controlled substance inside the vehicle.

On June 2, 2010, JAMES MAGGARD was found in the Ozark Wal-Mart paring lot at 4:35 a.m. passed out behind the wheel of a running vehicle. Officers found JAMES MAGGARD to be under the influence of some substance. They found in his hand a fake battery. Inside the fake battery, the officers found oxymorphone, a controlled substance.

Formal sentencing is set for November 18, 2011. Each count of the class C felony of possession of a controlled substance has a range of punishment of one (1) day to one (1) year in the Christian County Jail, or up to seven (7) years in the Missouri Department of Corrections, and/or a fine not to exceed $5,000.

FOR MORE INFORMATION DOWNLOAD PRESS RELEASE