Stoddard County doctor accused of drug crime fails to appear in court

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A warrant was issued Wednesday for the arrest of a former Stoddard County doctor who failed to appear in court for sentencing on two drug-related felonies.

Dr. Donna Jo Allmon, a family practice physician whose last known address was at Advance, Mo., was supposed to be sentenced before Presiding Circuit Judge Stephen Sharp on one fraud charge and one possession charge. Allmon had been accused of using a fictitious name to obtain prescription medications, as well as illegally possessing the drugs.

"She didn't appear," said Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Briney Welborn, who filed a felony of failure to appear charge.

"There is a charge for failing to appear. ... It carries up to four years in prison (and) more or less is self proving. She wasn't here," Welborn said.

Associate Circuit Judge Joe Satterfield, Welborn said, issued a warrant for Allmon's arrest and set her bond at $25,000 cash.

"This is the second time she didn't show up," Welborn explained. "We just can't let this go on forever."

Allmon originally was supposed to be sentenced in September, but "she said she wasn't out of rehab; in any event, the judge continued" her sentencing, Welborn said.

Sharp had released Allmon to enter a residential substance abuse counseling program in Tampa, Fla., after accepting her guilty plea in June.

After successfully completing the minimum 90-day program, Sharp ordered Allmon to return to the custody of the Stoddard County sheriff for sentencing. She reportedly has not turned herself in to the sheriff's department.

Allmon was originally charged with seven felonies of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud and seven felonies of possession of a controlled substance.

At the time Allmon was charged, a spokesman with the Missouri Board of Healing Arts reported Allmon's license had expired Jan. 30 and "there is no disciplinary action."