Probation violations send man back to jail

POLSON — Vaughn James, who faces separated charges of rape in Missoula County, had his suspended sentence in Lake County revoked for probation violations, in District Court last Wednesday.

The court sentenced the 38-year-old Polson man to two years in the Montana State Prison for testing positive for THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, and oxycotin. James admitted to using THC, but denied taking oxycotin.

Other violations, charges of assault after slapping his girlfriend’s teenage boys for refusing to stop playing their video games, were dismissed.

It’s been a rocky stretch for James since he was released from jail for burglary and theft charges on May 17, 2011. He was originally sentenced to 10 years in the MSP in 1991 for a burglary in Missoula and 23 years in jail for theft, burglary and conspiracy charges in Lake County in 1992.

James faces separate charges of rape in Missoula County from the night he was released from jail. While staying at a friend’s house, he used his friend’s deodorant to masquerade as his friend and tried to have sexual intercourse with his friend’s girlfriend. James was arrested 20 days later for slapping his girlfriend’s two boys and was released on June 17.

Six days later on June 23, he was arrested after he reportedly raped a woman in Pablo, according to court documents.

“The defendant has victimized a significant number of people throughout his lifetime,” a report by his probation officer to the court read. “Unfortunately, he still poses an obvious threat to the citizens of our community and in the interest of their safety he should be placed in a secure environment.”