NO FREE HOME FOR WOUNDED VET AFTER GUILTY PLEA

Just before Veterans Day last year, a local veteran who was wounded
in Iraq was given a home.

A national charitable organization, called Homes For Our Troops, was
going to build a house for Scott West, of Branson. This week, the
organization rescinded that offer after West pleaded guilty to drug
charges.

West was arrested Oct. 1, 2007, after officers discovered more than
two pounds of marijuana in West's car during a routine traffic stop.

Officials said drug paraphernalia, including pipes and a digital
scale, were in his car and at his home.

West reportedly admitted to officers he had medical marijuana in the
car. West also had a large amount of cash on his person at the time
of the traffic stop, about $700, according to officials.

Police said West insisted the drugs in the car were not his and he
had the money because he had just cashed a check.

On Dec. 11, West pleaded guilty in Taney County court to felony
possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

Homes For Our Troops had announced in October that West would have a
house built for him in Branson.

Homes For Our Troops provides free homes to wounded veterans. West
lost both of his legs when his Humvee hit an explosive device while
he was serving in Iraq.

"We take very seriously our obligations to our donors and
volunteers," said John Gonsalves, president and founder of Homes For
Our Troops. "That is why our agreements with servicemen and women
include a provision that allows us to end a project if it is clear a
veteran has committed a felony criminal act."

Gonsalves said, based on the information Homes For Our Troops has
been provided, the organization will be moving to formally end the
project involving West.

"The next step in the process will be a recommendation to our board
of directors, who will consider all the relevant information,"
Gonsalves said. "All donors and volunteers can rest assured that the
resources they have offered to our organization will be used only for
servicemen and women who meet the criteria we have
established."

West is scheduled to be in court Feb. 19 for sentencing.