Today, a Taney County jury found Christopher Koch, d/o/b 3-15-1985, of Taneyville, guilty of resisting arrest, escape from custody, and endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree, after a short trial – conducted by Assistant Taney County Prosecutor Kacey Proctor – and less than fifteen (15) minutes of deliberation. The trial began with jury selection Monday morning, then evidence was presented after a lunch break, and the jury was given the case to decide at just before 4:00 p.m. Monday afternoon.

Koch was accused of fleeing from Taney County deputies on January 30, 2012, by driving at speeds exceeding 100 miles-per-hour at times, with a minor in the car. Once apprehended, Koch attempted to escape from the custody of officers, even after he was placed into a deputy’s car in preparation for transport to jail. Evidence presented at trial revealed that Koch was resisting arrest by fleeing from deputies because he had outstanding warrants for his arrest.

Taney County Circuit Court Judge Mark Orr scheduled Koch’s sentencing for June 6, 2013. Resisting arrest and escape from custody are both class D felonies, and normally carry a maximum punishment of four (4) years in prison and/or a $5,000.00 fine. However, Koch was charged as a prior and persistent felony offender, which enhances the maximum sentence to seven (7) years in prison and/or a $5,000.00 fine. Endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree is a class C felony, and normally carries a maximum sentence of seven (7) years in prison and/or a $5,000.00 fine. However, as a prior and persistent felony offender, Koch faces a possible maximum sentence on that charge of fifteen (15) years in prison.