Irvine remains detained

POLSON — The man who allegedly provided drugs and alcohol to high school girls asked for his bond to be reduced in District Court last Wednesday.

Ronan resident Leonard James Irvine stands accused of three counts of felony distribution of dangerous drugs on or near school property.

According to court documents, the Lake County Sheriff’s Department initiated their investigation into Irvine last summer after receiving a tip from the Ronan High School principal.

A search of Irvine’s residence revealed evidence of drug use including needles, spoons with white powder residue, multiple prescription drug containers, mirrors and razor blades, documents state. Irvine allegedly admitted to police that he had provided alcohol and drugs, including prescription painkillers, to local teenage girls.

Public defender Ben Ancieux asked that Irvine’s bond be reduced to $5,000 as his client has been a lifelong resident of Montana and five years have passed since his last felony conviction.

Ancieux said that his client believed he could raise that sum within two months.

Deputy County Attorney Jessica Cole-Hodgkinson spoke against the bond reduction citing Irvine’s multiple felony convictions and history of parole violation.

“Request is denied,” District Court Judge C.B. McNeil said.

Each of the three felony counts that Irvine is charged with carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. He also faces a lesser charge, criminal possession of dangerous drugs, which carries a maximum of five years in prison.

The case is scheduled to go to trial August 15.