On Thursday, June 9, 2011, in the Circuit Court of Taney County, Daniel M. Bean (d.o.b. 8/31/1983) of Kirbyville, entered guilty pleas to the felony charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Circuit Court Judge Mark Orr sentenced Bean to ten (10) years in prison for possession of methamphetamine and seven (7) years in prison for possession of paraphernalia, pursuant to a plea agreement between Bean and Taney County Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Merrell. Bean had been charged by the Taney County Prosecuting Attorney’s office as a prior and persistent felony offender.

The guilty pleas stemmed from an arrest of Bean, at his home, by Taney County Sheriff’s Deputies on April 11, 2011. As part of an investigation into drug manufacturing, Taney County Sheriff’s Officers served a search warrant at the home of Daniel Bean at 1291 Rustic Acres Road, in Kirbyville. Bean was found by officers at the residence, and an outstanding parole warrant was in place for Bean’s arrest. Found in the residence were several items of drug paraphernalia, items used to manufacture methamphetamine, and a measurable amount of the finished product of methamphetamine. Bean was the lone occupant of the residence. After Bean was advised of his rights, he admitted to a detective that he had been manufacturing meth, using meth, and that all of the contraband in the house was, in fact, his.

Possession of a controlled substance is a class C felony, which carries a range of punishment of up to seven (7) years in prison and/or a fine not to exceed $5,000.00. Possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to use is a class D felony, which carries a range of punishment of up to four (4) years in prison and/or a fine not to exceed $5,000.00. Because Bean had been charged as a prior and persistent felony offender, his maximum sentence for the C felony increased to fifteen (15) years, and his maximum sentence for the D felony increased to seven (7) years.