Law enforcement and court records

March 18

Lake County District Court, Judge McNeil presiding

*The following district court proceedings took place March 10.

-State of Montana vs. Brian Mitchell; 21. The matter before the Court is sentencing. PSI has been received and reviewed. The Court defers imposition of sentence for three years. As conditions, Defendant is ordered to serve 45 days LCJ and is to receive credit for time served. In the event Defendant does successfully complete chemical dependency evaluation, Defendant is to receive credit for time spent in the program and if Defendant fails to complete, he needs to surrender himself to LCJ by October 1, 2010 to complete his jail time.

-State of Montana vs. Gregory Gonstad; 26. The matter before the Court is arraignment. Ready to enter plea, Defendant pleads not guilty to the charge of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fourth or subsequent offense, a felony. The plea is entered and the case will be set for trial. Defendant remains at liberty. Omnibus hearing is set for April 14 at 9 a.m.

-State of Montana vs. Francine Vanmaanen; 57. The matter before the Court is arraignment in DC-10-35 and for hearing on merits in DC-08-87. Ready to enter plea, Defendant pleads not guilty to the charge of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fourth or subsequent offense, a felony, Count I. The plea is entered and the case will be set for trial. Defendant remains at liberty. Omnibus hearing is set for April 7 at 9 a.m. Attorney Britt Cotter asks that hearing on the merits in DC-08-87 be continued to the same date as the omnibus in DC-10-35. Both matters are set for April 9 at 9 a.m.

-State of Montana vs. Jude Ellsworth; 21. The matter before the Court is for hearing on the merits. Attorney Britt Cotter indicates the Defendant intends to admit to the violations in the petition. Defendant is sworn. The Court finds the admissions are sufficient and the Defendant’s deferred sentence is revoked. The Court commits Defendant to the DOC on Count II for 10 years with five suspended and on Count III to 10 years with five suspended concurrent with Count II. Defendant is to receive credit for all time spent in custody. The Court further recommends Defendant be considered for placement in Connections Corrections and pre-release provided it meets with the approval of the DOC. All conditions originally imposed are re-imposed.

-State of Montana vs. Spencer Price; 43. The matter before the Court is hearing on merits. Attorney Ben Anciaux indicates Defendant is ready and will be admitting some of the allegations based on an agreement with the State. Defendant is sworn. The Court finds the admissions are sufficient and the Defendant’s suspended sentence is revoked. The Court commits the Defendant to the DOC for 15 years with 10 suspended. Defendant is to receive full credit for time spent in custody. The Court specifically recommends Defendant be considered for placement in Connections Corrections and pre-release provided it meets with the approval of the DOC. All conditions originally imposed are again re-imposed.

-State of Montana vs. Dale Shaw; 52. The matter before the Court is answer petition to revoke. Revocation acknowledgment of rights is ordered filed. Attorney Britt Cotter indicates Defendant intends to admit some of the allegations. Defendant is sworn. The Court finds the admissions sufficient and the Defendant’s suspended sentence is revoked. The Court commits the Defendant to the DOC for 15 years with 10 years suspended. The Court recommends the DOC consider placing Defendant in Connections Corrections followed by pre-release. All conditions originally imposed are re-imposed. Defendant is to receive full credit for time in custody.

-State of Montana vs. Justin Lightley; 21. The matter before the Court is arraignment. Ready to enter plea, Defendant pleads not guilty to the charges of criminal possession of dangerous drugs, Counts I and II, felonies, and criminal possession with intent to distribute, a felony, Count III. The plea is entered and the case will be set for trial. Defendant remains at liberty. Omnibus hearing is set for April 14 at 9 a.m.

-State of Montana vs. Joshua Fisher; 21. The matter before the Court is change of plea. Defendant admits committing the offense of tampering with witnesses and informants, a felony, Count II. The Court makes its findings, accepts the plea and finds the defendant guilty of the charge, The Court grants the State’s motion to dismiss Count I. PSI ordered. Sentencing is set for April 14 at 9 a.m. Attorney Britt Cotter indicates the parties have agreed to an O/R release and asks that the cash bond be returned to Vern Fisher. No objection by the State. Request granted.

-State of Montana vs. Ryan Charlo; 25. The matter before the Court is arraignment. Ready to enter plea, Defendant pleads not guilty to the charges of assault with a weapon, a felony, Count I and criminal endangerment, a felony, Count II. The plea is entered and the case will be set for trial. Defendant remains in custody. Attorney Britt Cotter thinks a plea agreement has been reached and asks to set this for a change of plea next week. Change of plea is set for March 17 at 9 a.m.

Lake County District Court, Judge Christopher presiding

*The following district court proceeding took place March 11.

-State of Montana vs. Savanna Nelson; 23. The matter before the Court is sentencing. PSI has been received and reviewed. For the offense of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, a felony, the Court commits the Defendant to the DOC for placement in an appropriate correctional facility or program for a term of 13 months. In addition the Court recommends the Defendant to obtain a mental health evaluation at Passages before entering the WATCh program.

Justice Court, Judge Wall presiding

*The following justice court proceedings took place March 5-11.

-Rice, Jeremy T.; 31. Issuing a bad check - misdemeanor. Fined $50.

-Connelly, John L.; 50. Operating vehicle without Interlock. Fined $500.

-Moy, Tyler B.; 25. Driving under the influence of alcohol - first offense. Fined $350 and 180 days in jail with 179 suspended. Jail completed 3/9/10.

-Olsen, Gregory A.; 36. Operating with alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent BAC or greater - first offense. Fined $400 and 10 days in jail with 10 days suspended. Operating without liability insurance in effect- first offense. Fined $150. Operating with expired registration - failure to reregister. Fined $100.

-Zetterstrom, Rhonda W.; 45. Failure to carry proof or exhibit insurance in vehicle - first offense. Fined $150.

-Sandberg, Matthew C.; 18. Operating without liability insurance in effect - second offense. Fined $350 and 10 days in jail with eight suspended. Provide proof of six month continuous insurance by 9/5/10 and jail waived.

-Pelican, Thomas N.; 53. Negligent endangerment (substantial risk - death/serious bodily injury) - misdemeanor. Fined $500 and 365 days in jail with 364 suspended. Credited one day jail.

-Strozzi, Jordan L.; 19. Careless driving. Fined $50.

-Williams, Seth H.; 18. Operating without liability insurance in effect - first offense. Fined $150. Driving a motor vehicle while privilege to do so is suspended or revoked. Fined $250 and 180 days in jail and 178 suspended. Proof of DL by 4/10/10 and jail waived.

-Kujala, Roselyn L.; 20. Operating without liability insurance in effect - second offense. Fined $350 and 180 days in jail with 178 suspended. Provide insurance by 4/9/10 and six months continuos proof thereafter and jail waived.

-Brown, Cody J.; 28. Failure to have child under six years old and less than 60 lbs. properly restrained. Fined $50. Operating without liability insurance in effect - first offense. Fined $150.

-Whitewater, Douglas; 20. Possessing intoxicating substances while under the age of 21 (over age 18) - first offense. Fined $100. Criminal contempt. Fined $100 and 180 days in jail with 178 suspended. Credited time served.

Polson City Court, Judge Olson presiding

*The following city court proceedings took place March 6-12.

-Molde, Ryan K.; 34. Speeding violation (day or night). Fined $100.

-Buckless, Brandie S.; 23. Fail to have child under 6 years old and less than 60 lbs. properly restrained. Fined $50.

Booked into county jail

* Editor’s note: The following people were booked into the county jail from March. 9-16 , but in most cases have not had a chance to enter a plea. They are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

-Matt, Cheryl M.; 40. Arrested on site for probation violation, a misdemeanor; assault on a peace officer, a felony; and assault with a weapon, a felony.

-Mergenthaler, Mark N.; 37. Arrested on site for intimidation, a felony; assault, simple, a misdemeanor; partner family member assault, non aggravated, a misdemeanor; tampering with witnesses, a felony; burglary, residence, a felony; aggravated assault resulting in permanent injury, a felony; and assault, simple, a misdemeanor.

-Boykin, Jacob L.; 28. Arrested on site.

-Nelson, Savanna L.; 23. Complaint.

-Hamilton Frederick K.; 44. Arrested on site for driving while suspended or revoked, a violation.

-Oroake, Daniel J.; 21. Arrested on site for aggravated assault resulting in non permanent injury, a felony; and assault with a weapon, a felony.

-Haynes, Sheldon; 20. Arrested on site for aggravated assault resulting in permanent injury, a felony.

-Butler, Pamela D.; 43. Arrested on site for probation violation, a misdemeanor.

-Bice, Zachary L.; 26. Arrested on site for two counts of criminal contempt, misdemeanors.

-Watt, Robert; 33. Arrested on site for no proof of liability insurance, a violation; seatbelt violation, a violation; driving while suspended or revoked, a violation; and basic rule, a misdemeanor.

-Evans, George B.; 42. Arrested on site for criminal contempt, a misdemeanor; driving while suspended or revoked, a violation; and DUI per se, a misdemeanor.

Released from county jail

-Martin III, William D.; 38. Arrested on site for three counts of criminal contempt, misdemeanors.

-Whitlow, Beverly J.; 56. Arrested on site for theft, shoplift, a misdemeanor.

-Moy, Tyler B.; 25. Summoned/cited (no custody).

-Whitewater, Douglas A.; 20. Arrested on site for criminal content, a misdemeanor; and possess alcohol or intoxicant, a misdemeanor.

-Maxwell, David; 30. Arrested on site for negligent endangerment, a misdemeanor.

-Ritzschke, Joshua C.; 31. Arrested on site for assault, simple, a misdemeanor; criminal trespass to property, a misdemeanor; and disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor.

-Besaw, Levi M.; 29. Arrested on site for DUI alcohol or drugs, a misdemeanor.

-Morgan, Casey R.; 23. Arrested on site for DUI alcohol or drugs, a misdemeanor.

-Hamilton, Frederick K.; 44. Arrested on site for driving while suspended or revoked, a violation.

-Koehler, Justin K.; 20. Arrested on site for driving on suspended, revoked foreign driver’s license, a violation; and careless driving, a violation.

-Haynes, Sheldon; 20. Arrested on site for aggravated assault resulting in permanent injury, a felony.

-Partida, Veronica E.; 25. Arrested on a warrant for criminal contempt, a misdemeanor.