A Malden teenager was committed to the Missouri Department of Youth Services on Tuesday afternoon after he earlier pleaded guilty in connection to a May drive-by shooting on Business 60, east of Poplar Bluff.
Accompanied by his attorney, Jordan Wellinghoff with Public Defender’s Office, Naaman Jahl Caldwell appeared before Presiding Circuit Judge Michael Pritchett for sentencing.
Having earlier been certified to stand trial as an adult on his charges, the now 17-year-old pleaded guilty in August to the Class B felony of first-degree assault.
With his plea, Caldwell admitted to attempting to cause serious physical injury to Isaiah L. Brown, 20, of Poplar Bluff by shooting him on May 30 after what authorities say was an apparent drug deal gone wrong.
At the time of his plea, the state recommended a 10-year prison sentence under the “dual jurisdiction” statute.
Caldwell will be sentenced to the Division of Youth Services at “the beginning of his sentence,” until he reaches age 21, Butler County Prosecuting Attorney Kacey Proctor earlier said.
At that time, Proctor said, Caldwell could serve the remainder of his sentence in the Missouri Department of Corrections or be placed on supervised probation through the Board of Probation and Parole.
After accepting Caldwell’s plea, Pritchett ordered a sentencing assessment report be completed by Probation and Parole.
The SAR was reviewed by all parties, including Pritchett, who went over its contents with Caldwell.
After reviewing the SAR, Proctor told the court there was no reason not to go forward with the sentencing recommendation set out in the plea agreement.
Wellinghoff agreed.
Pritchett then sentenced Caldwell to 10 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections, with suspended execution of the sentence.
Under the dual-jurisdiction statute, Pritchett then committed Caldwell to the Division of Youth Services program.
Pritchett told Caldwell his prison sentence will remain suspended until such time as he completes the dual-jurisdiction program.
While in the program, “Mr. Caldwell shall one, exhibit a genuine and ongoing commitment to participation and cooperate with all programs through the Missouri Division of Youth Services.
“Two, accept all restrictions imposed upon him by the Missouri Division of Youth Services.”
Third, Pritchett said, Caldwell is to “consistently behave and follow all directives of Division of Youth Services staff and treat his fellow participants with respect. (He) shall not pose a threat to the safety of staff or other youth in the division’s care and custody.
“Four, successfully complete all requirements of the dual-jurisdiction program.”
Pritchett then told Caldwell if he fails to comply with those conditions, the court will be notified and a hearing held.
“There are rules and regulations you have to follow to be in the program,” and if they are not followed, it could mean being sent to the Department of Corrections, Pritchett said.
Caldwell confirmed he understood.
“I wish you good luck, Mr. Caldwell,” Pritchett said.