On Thursday, May 10, 2012, in the Circuit Court of Taney County, Circuit Judge Mark Orr sentenced Nathan Alexander Gardner (d/o/b 2/29/1992), of Branson, to nine (9) years in prison for having been found guilty by a Taney County jury of three (3) felonies on March 6, 2012. A 7-woman, 5-man jury, in the Taney County Circuit Court unanimously agreed that Gardner was guilty of the charges of burglary in the first degree, assault in the first degree, and armed criminal action, after deliberating for about one-hour. The same jury deliberated on the sentences for each of the felonies, and returned recommendations of five (5) years for burglary in the first degree, six (6) years for assault in the first degree, and three (3) years for armed criminal action. After hearing arguments from the defense and the prosecution, Judge Orr sentenced Gardner to the sentences recommended by the jury, however, ordered that the three (3) years for armed criminal action should be served consecutively to the other recommended sentences.