Taney County Prosecuting Attorney, Jeffrey M. Merrell announced today that RICKY RAY BARNES, dob: 12/31/1975 of Kimberling City, Missouri plead guilty on February 23, 2009 to the class A felony of assault in the first degree, the class B felony of burglary in the first degree, and the class D felony of resisting arrest by fleeing. Formal sentencing is set for April 16, 2009 at 10:30am.

On Saturday, May 3, 2008 at a residence in Hollister, Missouri RICKY RAY BARNES and another individual forced their way into a residence and assaulted a man in his bedroom by punching and stabbing him. During the assault the victim suffered multiple cuts and lacerations on his hands and chest as well as a stab wound to his right lower thoracic cavity and punctured right lung. RICKY RAY BARNES was identified during a photo lineup as one of the two people involved in the assault.

In an earlier incident on January 24, 2008, officers were attempting to apprehend RICKY RAY BARNES in connection with an incident in Stone County. During a traffic stop at US Highway 65 and MO 86, RICKY RAY BARNES fled his vehicle and led officers on a foot pursuit. Deputies with the Taney County Sherriff’s Department later apprehended RICKY RAY BARNES.

Under the plea agreement RICKY RAY BARNES faces a maximum punishment of seventeen (17) years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for the class A felony of assault in the first degree, ten (10) years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for the class B felony of burglary in the first degree, and four (4) years for the class D felony of resisting arrest by fleeing.

DANNY SPEARS OF Hollister, Missouri still faces the felony charge of assault in the first degree for the May 3, 2008 incident. Please be advised that the charge filed against the defendant is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.