Suspect makes better choice after taking store keys
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
One plea agreement resolved three separate criminal cases against a Polson woman. Kiirsten Nicole Fairchild, 19, was facing two counts of burglary, two counts of criminal possession of dangerous drugs, robbery, theft, criminal endangerment and tampering with physical evidence.
The plea agreement resulted in the theft, tampering with physical evidence and one of the drug possession charges being dismissed.
In the first case, Fairchild admitted to breaking into an undisclosed Polson residence in July of 2019 and stealing the keys to a Polson Verizon store. A child at the scene said items were also taken from his mom’s purse.
Fairchild was established as the prime suspect. When questioned, Fairchild admitted to breaking into the house and stealing the keys. She said she “chickened out” on using the keys to gain access to the Verizon store. She was also in possession of methamphetamine.
Judge James Manley deferred the imposition of sentencing for two years for a total of four on the two charges for drug possession and burglary.
In the second case, Fairchild admitted to her role in breaking into a Ronan man’s residence on July 27 and robbing him with a knife before leading law enforcement on a high-speed pursuit. Manley committed Fairchild to the Montana Department of Corrections for five years with two years suspended for the robbery charge, and Manley committed Fairchild to the DOC for another two years, with all the time suspended, on the criminal endangerment charge – for a total of seven years with four suspended.
The third case involved a theft and burglary charge at the same Ronan residence as the second case. Manley gave Fairchild two years DOC on the burglary charge and ran all the sentences consecutive. He also ordered Fairchild to pay restitution in the amount of $3,762.96. He also gave Fairchild credit for 86 days jail time already served and recommended she be screened for any mental health and chemical dependency treatment offered by the state. The sentencing hearing was held at District Court in Polson on Oct. 21.
