BELLE — Danny L. Stradford of Bland will likely spend the remainder of his life in prison following the revocation of his probation in two felony drug cases.

Maries County Prosecuting Attorney Anthony (Tony) Skouby said the case has been years in the making and involved extensive court proceedings, treatment opportunities and repeated probation violations.

“Danny Stradford has been an issue in Maries County for a long time,” Skouby said.

Stradford was convicted in March 2023 on two separate counts of possession of methamphetamine. According to Skouby, he received two 10-year sentences, which were ordered to run consecutively.

“Normally, that’s a Class D felony, which the range of punishment is up to seven years,” Skouby said. “But because he was prior and persistent, I got to go up actually a C (class of felony), which 10 years is the max for a C. So I asked for and finally got two 10-year sentences.”

The sentences were initially suspended under 25th Circuit Court Judge John D. Beger, with Stradford ordered to complete a one-year inpatient treatment program as a condition of probation.

“That one-year inpatient treatment is the most effective tool I have to try to help a recovering drug addict,” Skouby said. “It was obvious from his sentencing that he had been a drug addict since a teenager. So, he’d been a drug addict for 50 years. Not much chance, not much hope. But we were hopeful.”

Within a month, Stradford left the treatment program, telling officials he did not want to remain there.

He was later sanctioned to serve a 120-day prison term for absconding and for being found in possession of methamphetamine. After completing the 120-day program, Stradford was placed back on probation. According to Skouby, he again absconded and resumed using methamphetamine.

“If you’ve been to prison 10 times already before, you’re probably not a good candidate for probation,” Skouby said.

Skouby detailed Stradford’s lengthy criminal record, including prior convictions for first-degree robbery, first-degree assault, arson in the first degree, armed criminal action and multiple other offenses.

“He’s been sent to prison 11 times,” Skouby said. “Almost every probation he’s ever been given over the last 50 years, he’s been revoked and sent to prison?”

The probation revocation was ultimately heard on Feb. 20 by 25th Circuit Court Judge Brendan Fox.

“Judge Fox did his job. He did it correctly, and I’m very grateful for it,” Skouby said.

Skouby acknowledged the earlier judge attempted to give Stradford opportunities for rehabilitation.

“I think the prior judge was really trying to help this man,” he said.

Skouby estimated he personally spent approximately 100 hours working on the cases, not including time spent by staff or law enforcement. Denise Davis, legal secretary for Skouby, was praised for the amount of work she put in on this case.

“Denise does the heavy lifting, all the paperwork,” Skouby said. “I’m sure she’s got tons of hours in it, not to mention the stress of preparing for it.”

He credited Maries County Deputy Jeff Younger, his office staff and the court for their work in the matter.

For victims and witnesses frustrated by lengthy court proceedings, Skouby said the process can be difficult but perseverance matters.

“I wish that I could make it faster,” he said. “It is equally as frustrating for me that things get jammed up and stalled and they take so much time.”

With the revocation, Stradford now faces the execution of the previously imposed consecutive 10-year sentences.