DAVID R. McWILLIAMS (d.o.b. 6-23-1955), of Branson, Missouri, was sentenced on Thursday, December 8, 2011, to three (3) years in prison for the class D felony of Failing to Register as a Sex Offender. Taney County Circuit Court Judge Mark Orr sentenced McWilliams after a contested hearing, during which McWilliams’ attorney argued for probation and Taney County Prosecutor Jeff Merrell argued for a prison sentence. McWilliams had previously entered a guilty plea to the charge on October 26, 2011.
The felony charge stemmed from McWilliams not registering his change of address with the Taney County Sheriff from August 8, 2010, through October 20, 2010. During that time period, McWilliams was not living at the address he had previously registered with the Sheriff, and his whereabouts were unknown.
The class D felony of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender carries a maximum sentence not to exceed four (4) years in the Missouri Department of Corrections and/or a fine not to exceed $5,000.00.