GARY DEAN PHILP d/o/b 7-10-1965, of Branson was sentenced to a five year sentence for each of the felonies of felon in possession of a firearm, possession of methamphetamine and unlawful use of a weapon and a one year jail sentence for each count of the misdemeanors of possession of marijuana and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia. Gary Philp was sentenced by Wright County Associate Circuit Judge Lynette Veenstra who was assigned to the case after Taney County Judge Tony Williams was removed from hearing the matter. Probation is denied and the sentences are to run concurrent to each other but consecutive to the fifteen year sentence he received in April after a Taney County jury trial where he was found guilty of dealing methamphetamine.

On September 27, 2016, members of the Combined Ozarks Multijurisdicitonal Enforcement Team (COMET) Drug Task Force were conducting a “knock and talk” investigation at the Plantation Inn in Branson. They made contact with Philp and received consent to search his room. As a result of the search, COMET officers found ammunition in the room and methamphetamine, marijuana, paraphernalia and a Bersa Thunder 380CC pistol on his person. Philp is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing a firearm.

Sentencing was argued by Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Chris Lebeck on behalf of Taney County Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Merrell.