DOUGLAS COUNTY, Mo. — During Circuit Law Day on August 24, 2026, the Honorable Raymond Gross sentenced the following defendants:
James Elmer Smith, 48, Springfield was sentenced to 7 years in prison for the class D felony of Forgery as a prior and persistent felony offender after admitting to violating his probation. After a hearing was held and arguments were heard, the Court ordered Smith’s probation be revoked and ordered the previously imposed 7-year sentence be executed. The Court also ordered that the sentence be served pursuant to §559.115. The original offense occurred in March of 2024 and was investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department.
Jaxon C. Smyth, 18, entered a plea of guilty to the class D felony of Possession of Controlled Substance and pursuant to a plea agreement, was given a suspended imposition of sentence and placed on 5 years of supervised probation with the Board of Probation and Parole. The offense occurred in January of 2026 and was investigated by the Ava Police Department.
Abbygail E. Williams, 18, entered a plea of guilty to the class D felony of Possession of Controlled Substance and pursuant to a plea agreement, was given a suspended imposition of sentence and placed on 5 years of supervised probation with the Board of Probation and Parole. The offense occurred in January of 2026 and was investigated by the Ava Police Department.
There were 11 criminal cases on the docket with Judge Gross. There were 2 felony guilty pleas entered and 1 revocation of probation. One failure to appear warrant was issued. Two cases were set for either plea or trial setting. Two cases were set for jury trial in 2027.
