Taney County Prosecuting Attorney, Jeffrey M. Merrell announced today that JAMES F. PATTON, dob: 2/2/1963 of Walnut Shade, Missouri plead guilty and was sentenced to ten (10) years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for the class C felony of possession of a controlled substance as a prior and persistent felony drug offender, and five (5) years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for the class C felony of unlawful possession of a firearm as a prior and persistent felony offender. Probation was denied and both counts are to run concurrent.

On April 28, 2010, members of the Taney County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant at the residence of JAMES F. PATTON in Walnut Shade, Missouri. During a search of the residence officers located methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphenalia. In a closet of the residence officers located .22 caliber rilfe.

Since 2008 it has been a state crime in Missouri for a convicted felon to possess any firearm. JAMES F. PATTON has prior felony convictions for distribution, delivery, and manufacturing of a controlled substance in both Taney County, Missouri and Crawford County, Arkansas.