Court grants suspended sentence for St. Ignatius man who stole guns, booze

POLSON — A St. Ignatius man was given five years, all suspended, in Lake County District Court on Wednesday, Feb. 29 for felony burglary.

Randall Michell, 24, entered a home through an unlocked front door on May 31, 2011 while the homeowner was asleep and took three guns, several backpacks, an assortment of alcoholic beverages and other items with a combined value exceeding $1,500. In addition to the aforementioned items, an E-Book, medications and a wallet with credit cards were taken.

A tribal officer spoke with a family member, who told the officer that Michell was staying with her son in Arlee and had brought backpacks and a duffel bag to their home. One of the backpacks contained “all kinds of booze,” and there were weapons in a dark green duffel bag. The family member inquired where Michell had obtained the stuff, to which he said that he had broken into a home while people were sleeping.

The family member kicked Michell out of the house before calling authorities. Michell then went across the street to a residence and asked to use the phone.

There, he left out the back door, leaving two backpacks on the back porch.

Officers searched the bags and in one, found four bottles of whiskey and 15 bottles of Corona.