Taney County Prosecuting Attorney, Jeffrey M. Merrell, announced today that BRIAN FERRIS, DOB: 3/22/1977, was sentenced Thursday by Taney County Circuit Judge Mark Orr, to twelve (12) years in prison for the class B felony of driving while intoxicated. BRIAN FERRIS had entered a guilty plea after a jury was selected, and just prior to when opening statements in his jury trial were set to begin, on Monday morning September 20, 2010. Ferris had four prior alcohol related traffic convictions, which classified him as a chronic D.W.I. offender and made this offense a class B felony.