JIMMY J. HARPER, d/o/b 4-14-1963, of Branson, was sentenced to six (6) years in the Missouri Department of Corrections on Thursday, November 12, 2015, in the Circuit Court of Taney County. Harper had entered his guilty plea to the class C felony of possession of a controlled substance, pursuant to a plea agreement, on November 5, 2015 – at which time the six (6) year sentence was scheduled to be executed on November 12th.

On July 11, 2015, in a motel room at the 76 Inn, in Branson, Harper was in possession of methamphetamine, as well as components used for creating methamphetamine. Branson Police officers were searching for persons with arrest warrants, when they encountered Harper. After discovering that Harper had warrants and was on felony probation, officers asked him for consent to search his motel room. It was during the consent search that illegal substances were discovered.

The class C felony of possession of a controlled substance carries a maximum penalty of seven (7) years in prison and/or a $5,000.00 fine.