Lake County District Court news for Aug. 17, 2011
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Judge C. B. McNeil dealt with the following cases on Aug. 10:
Wesley Joseph Adams, 32, Missoula, had his sentence for criminal endangerment, a felony, revoked since he failed to comply with all the rules of probation. Violations include an arrest by Missoula Police on July 26 when the arresting office believed Adams to be highly intoxicated and noted his breath smelled of an alcoholic beverage, his eyes were bloodshot and glassy and his words were slurred. On the same date, after Adams was arrested and transported to Missoula County Jail, he was taken to maximum security as his attitude was unacceptable and he would not give a breath sample or attempt field sobriety tests. Adams also ran from Missoula Police officers who attempted to question him in front of Red’s Bar. He had to be tackled, and he provided a false name and date of birth.
Adams was committed to the Department of Corrections for eight years with four years suspended for placement in an appropriate facility to be determined by DOC. The Court recommended Adams be considered for placement in Nexus, a drug and alcohol treatment program, and pre-release or Missoula County Department of Corrections.
Jenna Fenton, 20, Ronan, admitted committing the offense of criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony. Sentencing was set for Sept. 14.
According to court documents, charges stem from an October 2010 incident where a tribal police officer observed and followed a truck weaving within its southbound lane on Highway 93. After the driver, Fenton, stopped at her residence, the officer approached Fenton and noticed she was twirling her hair with both of her hands, continuously moving her jaw back and forth, and repeatedly running her tongue across her upper teeth. The officer also noted that Fenton’s pupils were extremely dilated. Because he could tell she was under the influence, the officer warned her not to drive, and Fenton promised she would stay home.
A short time later, according to court documents, a Lake County Sheriff’s deputy pulled a pickup over for crossing the centerline twice. Fenton was identified as the driver, and the tribal officer arrived to assist. Fenton gave the officer permission to search her truck, and the officer found a marijuana cigarette, and Fenton was arrested.
At the tribal jail, Fenton admitted she had a bag of methamphetamine hidden in her spandex, and the bag was found on her and tested at the state crime lab. It indeed was methamphetamine.
Christopher Irvine, 37, Pablo, had his sentence for sexual assault, a felony, revoked. Irvine failed to comply with all the rules of probation. He admitted using methamphetamines on July 29, a violation of his probation.
Irvine was committed to the DOC for six years with two years suspended. The Court approved placement in Nexus, a drug and alcohol treatment program, followed by pre-release provided it meets with the approval of the DOC.
Ronald Lee Phillips, 48, Ronan, was found guilty of the amended offense of criminal possession of precursors to dangerous drugs, a felony.
On July 4, Phillips was stopped for driving with an expired registration. During the stop, a Tribal Law Enforcement officer asked Phillips is there were drugs in the vehicle. Phillips referred the officer to the ashtray for marijuana. After asking for consent to search the vehicle, the officer also found several items consistent with a methamphetamine lab.
Sentencing was set for Sept. 14.
