Lake County District Court news for May 30, 2012
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Judge C.B. McNeil dealt with the following cases Wednesday, May 23:
James Beene, 27, Bigfork, was sentenced to the Department of Corrections for 13 months, followed by two years at DOC — all suspended — for driving under the influence, fourth or subsequent offense, a felony. Additionally, Beene was sentenced to Lake County Jail for six months with all suspended except two days for driving while license is suspended or revoked, a misdemeanor. The sentences for both counts are to run concurrent. According to court documents, charges stem from an October 2011 incident where a Lake County Deputy clocked Beene driving 73 mph in a 65 mph zone on Highway 209, and pulled him over. The deputy noted the smell of alcohol. A breath test that showed Beene’s BAC was .143 percent. Dispatch informed the deputy that Beene’s license was suspended and Beene had active warrants for his arrest.
Beau Jordan Wegner, 21, Columbia Falls, in a change of plea, admitted committing the offense of theft, a felony. The court accepted the plea and found Wegner guilty. Sentencing is set for Wednesday, July 11 at 9 a.m. According to court documents, charges stem from a May 2010 incident where Wegner took several items from a residence, including a wedding ring valued at $9,290. Records from a local pawnshop indicated that Wegner had pawned the ring for $125. Wegner later admitted taking several rings, “lots of change in a bucket,” a movie, and a bottle of cologne.
Ronald Phillip Melvin, 57, Polson, pleaded not guilty to threats and other improper influence in official and political matters, a felony. An omnibus hearing is set for Wednesday, Aug. 8 at 9 a.m. and a jury trial is set to begin Monday, Oct. 29 at 9 a.m. Melvin remains at liberty on SCRAM with GPS, and the court denied Melvin’s request to remove the GPS. According to court documents, charges stem from a May 15 incident where Melvin, who had been fired from the City of Polson the previous day, allegedly made a threatening phone call to the city’s administrative assistant. In the message, Melvin allegedly threatened to kill the city manager unless he resigned by the end of the week. He also allegedly threatened to kill the administrative assistant and the city attorney. He was later arrested and ordered not to possess weapons, and not to come within 500 feet of Polson City Hall or the residences of the people he allegedly threatened.
Leroy Black, 21, Ronan, pleaded not guilty to criminal endangerment, a felony, and theft, a felony. An omnibus hearing is set for Wednesday, Aug. 8 at 9 a.m. and a jury trial for Monday, Oct. 29 at 9 a.m. Bail remains set at $20,000 with SCRAM. According to court documents, charges stem from a May 4 incident where an ATV was reported stolen around 2 a.m. A sheriff’s deputy located the vehicle and attempted to stop it, but Black, the driver, continued down Moiese Valley Road at 55 mph, almost hitting another officer who was trying to stop Black and standing in the road. Eventually the ATV became high-centered in a driveway. When Black tried to flee, he was tasered. He was arrested, taken to the hospital, and then to the Lake County Detention Center.
Allan Kenmille, 45, Ronan, pleaded not guilty to partner or family member assault, third offense, a felony. Kenmille was released on $500 bail and ordered not to have contact with the victims or family. An omnibus hearing is set for Wednesday, July 25 and a jury trial for Monday, Oct. 1. Both start at 9 a.m. According to court documents, charges stem from an April 29 incident where Kenmille allegedly threatened the victim and swung a broom handle at the victim’s head while the victim held a child. Court reports show that Kenmille has two prior convictions for partner or family member assault. Judge Deborah Kim Christopher dealt with the following cases Thursday, May 24:
Jacob Orrin Koenig, 23, Ronan, in a change of plea, admitted committing criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a misdemeanor. The plea was accepted and Koenig was sentenced to Lake County Jail for six months with all time suspended. As per terms of the plea agreement, Koenig must complete a CD evaluation and request it be sent to the attorney’s office within 69 days of sentencing. According to court documents, charges stem from a March 12 incident where Koenig was arrested for possessing marijuana and hash without a medical marijuana card.
Wesley William Charlo, 34, Ronan, was sentenced to Department of Corrections for three years, all suspended but time served, for failure to register, a felony. According to court documents, charges stem from an October incident where Charlo changed his residence but did not register as a violent offender.
Richard L. Moulton, II, unknown date of birth, Ronan, pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, a felony. An omnibus hearing is set for Thursday, July 26 and a jury trial for Monday, Sept. 10. Both start at 9 a.m. According to court documents, charges stem from a March 3 incident where Moulton was pulled over in Pablo. The officer noted the smell of alcohol and several partially consumed alcoholic beverages in the vehicle. Moulton refused sobriety tests and his driving record indicated three prior DUI convictions.
Daryl Gebeau, 56, Arlee, pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, a felony. An omnibus hearing is set for Thursday, July 26 and a jury trial for Monday, Sept. 10. Both start at 9 a.m. According to court documents, charges stem from a May 4 incident where Gebeau failed to stop at a stop sign in Arlee and was pulled over. The officer noted an alcoholic odor and an open container of beer. Gebeau told the officer he had been drinking that morning and had about a six-pack. Gebeau provided a breath sample of .315 BAC. He later stated that he had drank a liter of whiskey and shared a 30-pack of beer with two other people, and then said he had a fifth of whisky and six beers. His driving record shows at least three prior convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol.
Troy Duane Wood, 48, Trenton, N.D., pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, a felony. The court accepted the plea and found Wood guilty. Sentencing in set for Thursday, June 21 at 9 a.m. According to court documents, charges stem from a May 4 incident where Wood was stopped on Highway 93 in Polson. The officer noted a black plastic bottle cap between Wood’s legs, and asked Wood if he had been drinking. Wood said he had “a couple a while ago.” During the traffic stop, a passenger was attempting to hide an open bottle of whiskey that matched the bottle cap. Wood’s breath smelled of alcohol and he was taken to jail, where he performed poorly on the field sobriety tests and provided a breath sample of .213.
Rebecca Gunhammer, 36, St. Ignatius, in a change of plea, admitted committing two counts of criminal possession of dangerous drugs, both felonies, and two counts of assault on a peace officer. The court accepted the plea and found Gunhammer guilty. Sentencing is set for Thursday, July 12 at 9 a.m. According to court documents, charges stem from a May 29 incident where a tribal officer was asked to remove a disorderly female from a residence in Ronan. He found Gunhammer standing by the road outside the house, but she became combative when the officer tried to take her to her home. She was taken to the Tribal Detention Center, where an officer found what appeared to be methamphetamine, a syringe, and a pill crusher with white powder inside Gunhammer’s purse.
Arthur R. Matt, 21, Pablo, pleaded not guilty to criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony. An omnibus hearing is set for Thursday, July 26 and a jury trial for Monday, Sept. 10. Both start at 9 a.m. According to court documents, charges stem from a May 1 incident where Matt’s vehicle was stopped in Polson and he was arrested for a probation violation. After receiving permission to search Matt’s vehicle, the officer found a baggie of “mushrooms” believed to be a hallucinogenic, dangerous drug.
Andrew Bigleggins, 23, Polson, in a change of plea, admitted committing criminal endangerment, a felony; driving under the influence of alcohol, a felony; and operating without liability insurance in effect, a misdemeanor. The court accepted the plea and found Bigleggins guilty. Sentencing is set for Thursday, July 12 at 9 a.m. According to court documents, charges stem from a February 14 incident where someone reported a truck driving down Sunset Hill into Polson, and the driver appeared intoxicated. It was reported he had a small child in the vehicle. The driver, Bigleggins, was later reported by another person as having struck a vehicle in a store parking lot and that he appeared intoxicated and had a young girl with him. Bigleggins was later arrested while walking down an alleyway.
Susan Pierre, 49, Elmo, was sentenced to the Department of Corrections for eight years with five suspended for criminal distribution of dangerous drugs, a felony. According to court documents, charges stem from a 2005 incident where Lake County task force agents placed a concealed transmitter on a confidential informant, who then purchased two plastic bags of methamphetamine from Pierre for $100. In 2007 Pierre was found guilty and sentenced to the Department of Corrections for 10 years with eight suspended. In March, Pierre admitted to violating conditions of parole involving illegal drug use.
