Everton’s Maggard pleads guilty to kidnapping, avoids jail time

By: 
Steve Chapman

Wanda Maggard, one of five people who were charged in connection with an alleged gang rape of a young woman in Everton in August of 2019, managed to avoid jail time by pleading guilty to a single count of kidnapping. She was given a suspended four-year prison sentence and five years of supervised probation. Maggard was also moved from Lawrence County to Stone County on a change of venue request.
Maggard, 55, was originally charged with first-degree rape, first-degree assault and first-degree kidnapping in connection with the case. According to the probable cause statement in the case, the victim said one of the suspects in the rape, Zachary Wade, bought her a Dr. Pepper at a convenience store. After drinking it, she lost consciousness.
The woman said she awoke in a house where she was raped by Wade, James Maggard Jr. and David Arnold. The next day, she said, James Maggard put her in a car and drove to pick up Wanda Maggard. The victim said she believed James used Wanda to watch her while he did push out thefts in Springfield.
Wanda Maggard was taken into custody in October of 2019; she was later released with an electronic monitoring device. Her husband, James F. Maggard Sr., was charged with hindering prosecution of a felony; he died on Nov. 5 of last year.
The remaining suspects in the case are in custody pending trial.
 

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Lawrence County Record

312 S. Hickory St.
Mt. Vernon, MO, 65712
www.lawrencecountyrecord.com

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