On Monday, December 6, 2010, DAN DZIGA, dob: 03/25/1957 of Hollister, Missouri entered guilty pleas to the felony charges of possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and possession of a controlled substance, before Circuit Court Judge Mark Orr. Dziga’s case had been scheduled to be tried before a Taney County jury Monday morning.

According to the Taney County Prosecutor’s Office, on April 3, 2007, a search of Dziga’s home was conducted by officers with C.O.M.E.T. Drug Task Force and Taney County Sheriff’s Department, in reference to information they had received that DAN DZIGA was distributing drugs from his residence in Hollister. Detectives discovered a large amount of marijuana, including a number of separately packaged quarter-ounce quantities of the drug. Upon being questioned by officers, Dziga admitted to selling marijuana.

Then, on June 28, 2007, C.O.M.E.T. Drug Task Force and Taney County officers again searched Dziga’s residence, and discovered a quantity of marijuana that weighed over 35 grams. On that occasion, Dziga explained to officers that he had stopped selling marijuana, but was continuing to abuse the drug.

According to Taney County Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Merrell, there was no plea agreement in Dziga’s case. Possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute is a class B felony and carries a maximum punishment not to exceed fifteen (15) years in prison. Possession of over 35 grams of marijuana is a class C felony and carries a maximum punishment not to exceed seven (7) years in prison. Dziga’s sentencing was scheduled by Judge Orr for January 20, 2011.