Courthouse News: 12 years on drug charges for Gallatin woman

On Oct. 9, Ashley Leann Beck pled guilty before Judge James Valbracht to attempted distribution of a controlled substance in a protected location, amended from an A felony to a B felony. She was sentenced to 12 years in the Department of Corrections. The court retains jurisdiction and ordered completion of a 120-day institutional treatment program. Beck was arrested in March 2018 after a search warrant was executed at her residence at 512 South Cedar, which is located next to the Gallatin Baptist Church.

She also pled guilty to possession of a controlled substance, an A misdemeanor amended from a D felony, possession of marijuana, A misdemeanor, and possession of drug paraphernalia, A misdemeanor, amended from an E felony. On each of the misdemeanors, she was sentenced to six months in jail, sentences to run concurrently, with credit for time served. A jury trial which had been set for Oct. 18 was canceled.

The following cases were heard by Judge Brent Elliott on Oct. 10:

Jacob A. Barnes failed to appear and a warrant was issued with bond set at $50,000. He is charged with tampering with motor vehicle first degree and stealing $750 or more, both D felonies.

Probation was revoked for Daniel Brown for possession of controlled substance, and his previously imposed sentence of seven years in the Department of Corrections was ordered executed.

Terry S. Huskey pled guilty to possession of controlled substance, D felony, and was sentenced to four years in the Department of Corrections. He was also sentenced to six months jail for drug paraphernalia, with credit for time served. One count was dismissed, and he was fined $1 for no valid license and no insurance.

On Oct. 12 before Judge Elliott, Ray Thomas Williams pled guilty to possession of controlled substance and was sentenced to five years in the Department of Corrections. He received a 90-day jail sentence with credit for time served for careless and imprudent driving and was fined $1 for no insurance.

The following cases were heard by Judge Thomas Chapman on Oct. 10:

Nyia Shynell Robinson was sentenced to seven years in the Department of Corrections for receiving stolen property, D felony. Execution of the sentence was suspended, and she was placed on five years probation. One charge was dismissed.

Tanisha Marie Oshia was sentenced to four years in the Department of Corrections for possession of controlled substance, execution of sentence suspended, and placed on five years probation. She was fined $350 for misdemeanor DWI.

Brandon R. Pooler was sentenced to five years in the Department of Corrections, execution of sentence suspended, on each of two counts of tampering with motor vehicle, D felony. He received a suspended imposition of sentence and five years probation on two additional counts of tampering with motor vehicle. He was also sentenced to three years in the Department of Corrections, execution of sentence suspended, for resisting arrest for a felony, and placed on five years probation.

Mohamed D. Traore received a suspended imposition of sentence and five years probation for possession of controlled substance, D felony. He was fined $250 for speeding, and $150 for no valid license.

On Oct. 11 before Judge Daren Adkins, a judgment was entered for Brianna Allie, by and through his father and next friend, Brian Allie, and against Jette Elisa Simecek and Colby Allen Hocker. A judgment of $16,000 was awarded to Brianna Allie due to damages which occurred due to a trampoline accident.

Cases bound over from the Associate Division: State vs. Allen David Coates, Gallatin, attempted child molestation first degree, B felony.

Civil cases filed: Robert L. Sharp, St. Joseph, vs. State of Missouri, post conviction relief.

Associate Division

Alfred Brian Sprouse of Gallatin appeared before Judge Daren Adkins on Oct. 16. The case was continued to December. Sprouse was charged Aug. 14 with three misdemeanors, endangering welfare of a child and two counts of assault fourth degree. According to the probable cause statement, Sprouse, who was employed as a teacher at Winston R-6 School, operated a bus owned by the school in a careless manner in November 2017, driving in excess of 70-80 mph in a 60 mph zone and passing in no passing zones. Several juveniles were passengers; one took a photo of the speedometer. Sprouse’s driving record reveals eight convictions for excessive speed and one for no driver’s license. In February 2018, Sprouse allegedly caused physical contact with a juvenile by striking her in the breast with his shoulder and using his feet to touch the juvenile’s leg. The physical contact was considered offensive by the juvenile.

Civil Court

Breach of contract: A default judgment was entered for World Acceptance Corporation and against Kathy L. Chadwick.

Suits on account: Default judgments were entered for Harrison County Community Hospital and against Beverly A. Walker; for LVNV Funding LLC and against Shelly Martin; for Midwestern Health Management and against John A. Dale et al; for Portfolio Recovery Associate and against Dennis Millette; and for Barclays Bank Delaware and against Jerome C. Barton. A consent judgment was entered for Midwestern health Management and against Richard A. Melton.

Contact-account: Consent judgments were entered for Capital One Bank and against Loree M. Gatewood; and for Synchrony Bank and against Loree Gatewood.

Refuse breathalyzer test: Devona L. Bailey vs. Director of Revenue was dismissed by the parties.

Small Claims over $100: Mark Payne vs. Laura Hanes was tried by the court. The court found all issues in favor of the plaintiff and entered judgment against the defendant for $3,000 plus costs.

County Commission

James Lewis, bridge supervisor, stated his crew will be working on washout areas and flooded roads this week.

Bills were approved.  Minutes from the last meeting were approved.

Chip Winger and David Allen, Sheridan Township, met with the commission to discuss the road closing petition on 175th Street. The commission will take the matter under consideration. The issue was tabled until next week. Mr. Woolridge and Sheridan Township will both be notified of the time the issue will be discussed.

Jeannie Cunningham of Mike Keith Insurance met with the commission regarding the 2018-2019 insurance quotes. The commission will have all employees fill out health applications to try to decrease the county’s costs as the new quote is a 46% increase over last year.

Ronetta Burton, county clerk, updated the commission on the ongoing phone project. Windstream has not responded to requests for an estimated completion date. Jim Ruse will make contact with a Windstream representative this week. A new UPS was installed which has stabilized the power coming into the phone and network switches.

The commission signed the resolution to make Daviess County a Purple Heart County. A veteran memorial presentation will be held at a later time.

The commission continues to work on updating the personnel manual; issue continued until next week.

Pam McNeel, collector-treasurer, and Sally Black, assessor, both submitted training certificates to the commission for 20 hours each.

The commission reviewed work orders with Todd Miller, maintenance.

Jim Ruse signed Invoice 20 for BRO 031(36) for the completed bridge project in Jamesport Township.

Bill Haggard, brush mower, met with the commission to discuss mowing of the bridge approaches and culverts.  Application of brush killers was also discussed. Bill will continue mowing in Grand River Township this week.

Todd Miller, maintenance, asked the commission for and was granted approval to add pink lights to the clock tower for Breast Cancer Awareness month.

The commission reviewed the 9-month budget numbers with Ronetta Burton. Work will begin on the 2019 budget Nov. 1.

In the afternoon the commissioners viewed roads, culverts and bridges in Salem and Benton Townships.

The meeting adjourned at 5 p.m.

This information is taken from the minutes of the Oct. 10, 2018, meeting of the Daviess County Commission. Jim Ruse, presiding commissioner, called the meeting to order. David Cox, first district commissioner, and Wayne Uthe, second district commissioner, were present.

Assessor’s Office

The assessor and staff will be in the field next week in Union and Jamesport townships, reviewing and picking up new construction. As the assessor’s staff works through the townships, they are also addressing problem properties which have pointed out by the State Tax Commission from 2017.

Recorder’s Office

Marriage licenses issued: Douglas Zachary Wayman, 25, and Taryn Lee Dustman, 29, both of Chillicothe; Joseph H. Stutzman, 25, and Esther Sue Miller, 21, both of Jamesport; Noah E. Herschberger, 25, Stotts City, and Miriam Sue Stutzman, 24, Jamesport.

Land Transfers

Successor Trustee’s Deed under Foreclosure

Lot and partial lot in Gallatin from Millsap & Singer PC as successor trustee for Sharon J. Iverson to Federal National Mortgage Association.

Warranty Deeds

Lot and partial lot in Gallatin from Gregory and Tasha George to Bradley and Sierria Jones; tracts in Union Township from Troy T. Jennings and David and Lisa Cannon as tenants in common to Daviess County Livestock Market LLC; partial blocks in Gallatin from George Jr. and Gladys Johnston to Ethan J. Johnston; tract in Union Township from Trent Dowell to Loyd Cook.

Beneficiary Deeds

Partial blocks in Gallatin from Ethan J. Johnston to Shelly D. Salisbury.

Quit Claim Deeds

Partial lot in Gallatin from Clyde Lint to Tony Moore; tract in Colfax Township from Joseph and Tracy Michael to Winston Storage LLC.

Trustee’s Deed under Active Trust

Lake Viking lot #180 from Jack E. Humphrey, trustee of the Jack and Janice Humphrey Trust, to Lyle and Anne Alexander.