Lake County District Court news for Feb. 26, 2014
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Judge James A. Manley dealt with the following cases Wednesday, Feb. 19:
Blake Castro, 28, Polson, pleaded not guilty to assault on a peace officer or judicial officer, a felony. An omnibus hearing is set for Wednesday, March 5 with a jury trial Monday, May 5.
According to court documents, charges stem from a Feb. 5 incident where someone reported that Castro was outside in only a pair of pants, flagging down traffic. She said he was behaving strangely and might have taken “shrooms.” When officers arrived, Castro would not get on the ground until the officers said Castro would be tased. Castro was handcuffed. As officers tried to get him into the patrol car, he kicked an officer in the face and shoulder.
Jeana Hill, 36, Bigfork, was sentenced to DOC for 12 years with seven suspended for criminal possession with intent to distribute, a felony.
According to court documents, charges stem from a September 2013 incident where officers with a search warrant found Hill and her son and another person in the home with multiple bags of methamphetamine and a scale. In jail, Hill admitted that the drugs were intended for sale, and she had provided her son with the meth officers found on him.
Tyler Erickson, 20, Polson, was sentenced to Lake County Jail for 30 days and credited for time served, for criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony.
According to court documents the charges stem from an Oct. 11 incident where Erickson’s mother called Polson Police for help during an altercation with him. Erickson woke his mother up at 3:30 a.m. and was demanding money or a rifle from her. Erickson’s mother did not give him money or the rifle because she believed he would pawn it for drug money. Erickson became upset and began throwing and breaking things.
An officer arrived and found Erickson trembling, breathing heavily, and bleeding from his hand, possibly from punching a hole in a wall. An officer spotted drug paraphernalia consistent with methamphetamine abuse inside the room of the house where Erickson had been staying. Erickson’s mother told officers that she believed her son was under the influence of methamphetamine and had only slept three hours in two days.
A search warrant was obtained and revealed that drug paraphernalia with residue that was consistent with methamphetamine.
William James Hoover, 56, Missoula, pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fourth or subsequent offense, a felony. An omnibus hearing is set for Wednesday, March 5 and a jury trial Monday, April 28.
According to court documents, charges stem from an October 2013 incident where an officer saw the vehicle Hoover was driving was parked in the northbound lane of Highway 93. As the officer approached, Hoover accelerated, crossing the center line and crossing over the fog line. When Hoover finally pulled over, the officer noticed signs of intoxication, but Hoover refused to give a breath test. After obtaining a warrant to have Hoover’s blood tested, the result determined that Hoover’s blood alcohol concentration was .167. Hoover’s driving record showed eight prior DUI convictions.
Thomas Scheffer, 49, Huson, in a change of plea admitted committing the offense of criminal possession of dangerous drug, a felony. He was sentenced to DOC for five years, all suspended, and credited for time served. He was ordered transferred to Missoula and to comply with all conditions of the probation office.
According to court documents, charges stem from an August 2013 incident where, during a traffic stop, officers found two syringes and a baggie with white residue believed to be methamphetamine.
Scheffer later admitted to his probation officer that he uses meth.
Phillip Pierre, 52, Polson, was sentenced to DOC for five years, all suspended for failing to give notice of change of address by sexual or violent offender, a felony. Pierre is listed as a tier-three sex offender for being convicted of sexual intercourse without consent.
Jableu Arlee, 44, Ronan, was sentenced to five years in DOC, all suspended, and 40 days in Lake County Jail. Arlee is to be placed in a patient treatment program within 120 days.
According to court documents, charges stem from a July 30 incident where Arlee was stopped by a Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy on Foothills Road. The deputy noticed a fresh injection mark on Arlee’s arm, and asked to see inside a black bag sitting on the passenger seat. Arlee agreed to open the bag, but instead dumped the contents, which included syringes and plastic bags containing a white crystalline substance, on the floor. Arlee then threw the bag out the window and drove away. The deputy pursued Arlee, who was driving in excess of 80 mph. Arlee turned east onto Terrace Lake Road and continued south on Timberlane Road. As the deputy approached the first 90-degree turn, he saw Arlee had turned around and was heading toward the deputy, so the deputy pulled off the road. The deputy advised dispatch that he would not continue pursuit for safety reasons, but returned to the site of the traffic stop and retrieved the black bag. Inside was a fentanyl patch; fentanyl is a controlled substance.
Duane Pierre, had his suspended sentence for burglary, a felony, revoked for violating conditions of probation and parole. He was sentenced to DOC for eight years, with none suspended.
Joshua Markovich, 23, Pablo, had his suspended sentences for burglary, and felony and assault, a misdemeanor, revoked. He was sentenced to DOC for five years with none suspended.
Nicole Hadley, 33, St Ignatius, had her suspended sentence for criminal endangerment, a felony, revoked. She was sentenced to DOC for five years with none suspended.
Judge Deborah Kim Christopher dealt with the following cases Thursday, Feb. 20:
Autumn Lea Cain, 40, Ronan, in a change of plea admitted committing the offenses of assault, a misdemeanor; and obstructing a peace office, a misdemeanor. The court found her guilty and sentenced her to six months in Lake County Jail, all suspended but two days served, for assault. For obstructing a police officer, she was sentenced to six months in LCJ with all suspended.
According to court documents, charges stem from an Oct. 4 incident where a Ronan Police officer responded to a report of a disorderly female, Cain, at Second Chance Saloon. When he spoke to Cain, she was crying and told him she was not as drunk as he thought she was. He was told she was going to walk home. Later while patrolling he saw her walking on Cleveland Street. As he pulled up, she attempted to get in the car and he told her to stop. She then walked away but nearly fell into the highway. He got out and tried to help her, she struggled and so he handcuffed her for safety and his own and instructed her to sit on the curb and take a deep breath. When he put her in the backseat, she head-butted the window so he escorted her back to the curb. He asked her name and address multiple times so he could give her a ride to her residence, but she would not comply. Another deputy arrived but she was also uncooperative with him. She then attempted to strike the Ronan officer with her forehead, barely missing his head.
Keith Roberts, 53, Polson, in a change of plea admitted committing two counts of criminal child endangerment, both felonies. The court found Roberts guilty and added an addendum requiring Probation and Parole monitor Robert’s alcohol use to ensure that the combination of alcohol, driving and child visitations result in the filing of a violation. Sentencing is set for Thursday, March 24.
According to court documents, charges stem from a November 2013 incident were Roberts was pulled over on Highway 93 near Ronan for driving while his car alarm was going off. The officer noticed Roberts appeared intoxicated. Two children in the back seat, ages 5 and 7, told the officer that Roberts had been drinking beers.
Kevin Scott Pierce, 31, Ronan, in a change of plea, admitted committing two counts of criminal endangerment, both felonies. The court found him guilty. Sentencing is set for Thursday, March 27.
According to court documents, charges stem for a Nov. 3 event when Lake County Sheriff’s dispatch notified officers there had been a report of a possible drunk driver at Town Pump, Ronan. The reporting party described the suspect vehicle as an older red and white truck being driven by a man.
An officer pulled in to Town Pump and observed a red and white Ford pickup pull away from the gas pumps with no light on.
An officer initiated a traffic stop, and Pierce, the driver, pulled over but did not turn off the pickup as requested. When an officer opened the driver’s side door and reached for the keys, Pierce allegedly put the pickup in gear and drove off, with officers following.
Pierce attempted to turn right on Fourth Avenue SE, but he lost control of the pickup and ran over the corner street sign and into a section of fence, coming to rest at the northwest corner of Fourth Street SW and Franklin Street.
One of the officers removed his seat belt to exit his patrol car when Pierce allegedly put his pickup into reverse and accelerated backwards, striking the deputy’s patrol car. Then Pierce put the pickup in forward gear and struck the patrol car again before driving away. The deputy couldn’t pursue because he was concerned damage to his patrol car affected its functionality.
Another deputy was approaching so he turned and joined the pursuit. Still without headlights, Pierce fled eastbound on Terrace Lake Road in Ronan at speeds exceeding 80 mph, nearly hitting a vehicle in the oncoming lane near the intersection of Terrace Lake and North Foothills Drive.
Near the intersection of Terrace Lake Road and Timberlane Road, Pierce slowed down and allegedly drove in the ditch on the south side of the road and was removed from his vehicle by deputies and handcuffed.
Ronald Burland, 29, Ronan, pleaded not guilty to burglary, a felony.
An omnibus hearing is set for Thursday, April 3 and a jury trial for Tuesday, May 27.
According to court documents, charges stem from a Jan. 1 incident where a Ronan resident reported a burglary at his home. His .22 magnum rifle was stolen from his gun cabinet. There was a broken window in the spare bedroom and broken doors to a patio. The victim said Burland was one of the only people who knew where the key was hidden, that Burland had stolen the gun in the past, and the victim had previously called the police to report Burland trespassing on his property. Tracks in the snow matched Burland’s foot tread.
Ronnie Floyd Burland, 30, was sentenced to the Department of Corrections for 10 years with five suspended for burglary, a felony.
According to court docuAccording to court documents, charges stem from a January 2013 incident where Burland admitted breaking into a home and stealing three guns. When his car broke down, he stashed the guns in a bush next to the car and slept in his car. He told officers he stole the guns for money to get a place to live.
Mariah Dempsey, 32, Ronan, pleaded not guilty to theft, a felony. An omnibus hearing is set for March 20 and a jury trial for April 21.
According to court documents, charges stem from a Jan. 8 incident where a woman reported that Dempsey had made several unauthorized withdrawals from the victim’s bank account. The bank confirmed Dempsey was not an authorized signer, and had thwarted several attempts made by Dempsey to withdraw funds. However, Dempsey successfully withdrew money from the victim’s account on seven occasions, taking $6,150.
Dempsey admitted to officers that she had taken the money, but told them she was authorized to do so. One month later, Dempsey was arrested in Washington as part of a burglary investigation, and told that officer that she had stolen a “couple of thousand” dollars from the victim.
William Martin, 42, Polson, admitted violating conditions of parole and probation and had his suspended sentence revoked. Martin was sentenced to DOC and the Nexus program for three years with none suspended.
According to court documents, Martin was sentenced in May 2011 for assault on a minor and partner or family member assault, third or subsequent offense; both were felonies. Since that time, Martin has violated probation numerous times, most recently for lying to parole officer, testing positive for methamphetamine, and associating with a known substance abuser.
Cody Benjamin Staley, 30, unknown address, admitted committing the offense of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fourth or subsequent offense, a felony. Staley was sentenced to DOC for 13 months. He was ordered to complete an alcohol treatment program and he is not eligible for parole. In addition, Staley was sentenced to DOC or Montana State Prison for three years, with all suspended.
According to court documents, charges stem from a May incident where officers responded to a single-car wreck on Minesinger Trial. A sheriff’s deputy located Staley attempting to enter a nearby residence. The resident of the house told the deputy that Staley had come to her house highly intoxicated, and she told him to leave, so he drove away then called her to say he wrecked his car.
Staley showed signs of intoxication and was taken to jail, where he refused to provide a breath sample.
His record showed three prior DUI convictions: one in March 2008, and two roughly four months apart in 2013.
