The following cases were heard on February 22, 2022, in the Circuit Court of Callaway County, Missouri, Division I, Honorable Brouck Jacobs presiding:
Jason Scott Bedsworth, 50, of New Bloomfield, pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated (3rd offense). Bedsworth admitted that in December 2020, he operated a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. The offense was enhanced to a felony based on Bedsworth’s prior convictions for DWI in 2002 (Gasconade County) and 2006 (Callaway County). Bedsworth was stopped on State Road MM late in the evening after a deputy sheriff observed his vehicle weaving across the center line into the opposing lane on multiple occasions. Upon making contact with Bedsworth, the deputy immediately noted the smell of intoxicating beverages. Also in the vehicle were empty beer bottles and a package of beer with missing bottles. Bedsworth submitted to a breath test which indicated his blood alcohol content was over twice the legally presumed level for intoxication. The deputy also found two minor children in the vehicle as passengers. The judge sentenced Bedsworth to 4 years in prison for the offense but suspended execution of that sentence and placed him on five years of supervised probation under several conditions, including that he serve 30 days of in-home detention and successfully complete the Callaway County DWI Court program. The case was investigated by the Callaway County Sheriff’s Office.
Joseph Bucholz-Belcher, 25, of Fulton, pleaded guilty to delivery of a controlled substance (methamphetamine). Bucholz-Belcher admitted that he possessed approximately 12 grams of the drug which was found in his residence when law enforcement officers executed a search warrant on the home in November 2021. In the course of searching the residence, officers located multiple empty baggies and Bucholz-Belcher admitted that had had been selling methamphetamine. The judge sentenced Bucholz-Belcher to 7 years in prison. The case was investigated by the Callaway County Sheriff’s Office and MUSTANG Drug Task Force. Bucholz-Belcher was also sentenced to 7 years in prison on charges of domestic assault in the second degree and endangering the welfare of a child and 4 years in prison for resisting arrest. Bucholz-Belcher had been on probation for those offenses, admitted he violated probation by committing the new drug offense, and the judge revoked probation. That case was previously investigated by the Fulton Police Department.
Mary Madeline Eells, 33, of Mexico, failed to appear in court in three cases and warrants were issued for her arrest.
Shane Laughlin McKinnon, 38, of Rhineland, pleaded guilty to domestic assault in the third degree, possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) and misdemeanor resisting arrest. McKinnon admitted that he knowingly caused physical pain to the female victim in November 2017 by repeatedly slamming her hand in a door during a verbal altercation between the two. McKinnon admitted that he fled the residence when law enforcement officers arrived. A deputy sheriff located a small amount of cocaine in a backpack that McKinnon had dropped when he fled. The victim gave an impact statement recommending that McKinnon complete a treatment program. For the assault and drug offenses, the judge placed McKinnon on five years of supervised probation. The judge sentenced McKinnon to 3 days in jail for the misdemeanor resisting offense. The case was investigated by the Callaway County Sheriff’s Office.
Christine Elizabeth Nowlin, 26, of Ashland, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine). Nowlin admitted that she possessed the drug in February 2020 when she was arrested for an unrelated incident. The judge sentenced Nowlin to 4 years in prison but suspended execution of that sentence and placed her on five years of supervised probation under several conditions, including that she successfully complete the Callaway County Treatment Court program. The case was investigated by the Fulton Police Department.
Teddy Tennigh Penn, 31, of Columbia, was sentenced to 7 years in prison for domestic assault in the second degree. Penn had been on probation for the offense. After a hearing, the judge found sufficient evidence to believe that Penn had violated probation by assaulting the same victim again, this time in Normandy, Missouri, just a few months after being placed on probation. The Callaway County offense was originally investigated by the Fulton Police Department.
Damon Scott Sheets, 46, of Fulton, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and unlawful use of a weapon. Sheets admitted that he possessed methamphetamine, as well as psilocybin mushrooms and a pistol, in January 2021. The drugs and firearm were seized during execution of a search warrant of Sheets’ residence. The judge placed Sheets on five years of supervised probation for the offenses. The case was investigated by the Callaway County Sheriff’s Office and MUSTANG Drug Task Force.
Timothy Jerome Valentine, 33, of Potosi, failed to appear in court in two cases and warrants were issued for his arrest.
Kendrick Lanier Waters, 42, of Fulton, pleaded guilty to domestic assault in the fourth degree (prior offender) and tampering with a victim. Waters admitted that he recklessly caused physical pain to the female victim by scratching her during an incident in February 2020. The victim reported that the incident occurred during a verbal dispute between the two regarding a social media account. During the incident, Waters scratched the victim across her shoulder, struck her in the chin and slapped her buttocks. The victim suffered minor injuries as a result of the assault. The offense was enhanced to a felony based on Waters’ prior convictions for domestic assault in 2007 and 2008 in Boone County. The judge sentenced Waters to 4 years in prison for each of the offenses but suspended execution of the sentence and placed him on five years of supervised probation. The case was investigated by the Callaway County Sheriff’s Office.