A Houston man was found guilty on eight counts of providing alcohol to minors Wednesday in Texas County Circuit Court.
Following a jury trial Wednesday, Feb. 21, Joshua M. Stephens, born in 1974, was found guilty on eight misdemeanor charges of supplying liquor to a minor or intoxicated person.
On Oct. 5, 2022, a complainant reported that their child and another juvenile had been allowed to consume alcoholic beverages at Stephens’ residence.
During an interview at the Child Advocacy Center in West Plains, one of the juveniles disclosed that Stephens purchased alcohol for various minors on multiple occasions, providing it to them at his apartment. Other minors confirmed these statements with personal experiences. Some recalled marijuana use at Stephens apartment, none stating him as the supplier.
On March 23, 2023, Kenny Santee, Licking Police Department detective, conducted an interview with Stephens. During the interview, Stephens admitted on two separate occasions that he was given money by various juveniles to purchase alcoholic beverages for them.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 12.