Ozark Man Sentenced To Fifteen Years For Shoving Shotgun Barrell Through Man's Eye:

Walter E. Baker (mug shot SCSO)

A man from Ozark has been sentenced to fifteen years in prison after pleading guilty to shoving a rifle through a mans eye in May of 2009.

According to court documents, Travis H. Gouge and some friends had left Gouge's home in McCord Bend when a pickup truck blocked them on a narrow road.  Stone County Prosecutor Matt Selby says that's when Walter E. Baker, 23, jumped out of the truck with shotgun and fired into the air.  He then approached the passenger side of the vehicle threatened Gouge, then shoved the barrel of the weapon though his eye socket. 

When Gouge's friends saw the gun they bolted from the vehicle and Gouge crawled over the front seat and drove himself to the sheriff's office in Galena for help. 

Two other people who were with Baker the night of the assault are also charged with first degree assault and armed criminal action:

Teresa Lynn Bunnell (mug shot SCSO)

Teresa Lynn Bunnell, 39, of Galena is scheduled to stand trial in April of next year. 

 

Walker John Erwin (mug shot SCSO)

Walker John Erwin, 25, of Ponce De Leon is also scheduled for trial next year.