Law enforcement and court records - Feb. 27

District Court, Judge Manley presiding

*The following took place on Feb. 19.

-Duane Pierre was sentenced to the Department of Corrections (DOC) for eight years after having the suspended portion of a previous burglary sentence revoked.

According to court records, Pierre’s offenses reportedly included illegal drug use, operation of a motor vehicle without a valid license, and failure to report for a scheduled appointment with his parole officer.

None of Pierre’s sentence was suspended, and he will be granted credit for time served while in custody. The court recommended Pierre for placement in the Nexus program as soon as possible.

-Based on a plea agreement regarding drug charges, Jableu Arlee, was given a suspended five-year sentence to DOC and was ordered to serve 40 days in the Lake County Jail (LCJ). Arlee was also ordered to complete an in-patient treatment program within 120 days.

An affidavit in Arlee’s court file states that during a traffic stop on July 30, a sheriff’s deputy noticed an injection mark on Arlee’s arm, and a black bag on the passenger seat. When asked about the bag, Arlee began dumping its contents on the floor, revealing syringes, spoons and bags containing a white, crystalline substance. According to court documents, Arlee then threw the bag out the window and drove away, starting a high-speed chase that exceeded 80 mph. The deputy eventually abandoned the pursuit for safety reasons, but returned to the original scene of the stop and discovered that the discarded bag contained a patch of fentanyl, a controlled substance.

-Phillip Pierre, 52, of Ronan, was given a suspended five-year sentence to DOC and will receive credit for time already served.

A convicted tier three sex offender, in December Pierre admitted to committing a felony by failing to notify authorities of a change of address. Records state that Pierre registered a Ronan address on June 5, but was not present at the location on June 20, when authorities were told that he had only stayed at the address for a few days. Pierre was arrested on an outstanding warrant in September, and had reportedly been living in Polson for “several months.”

-Based on a plea agreement, Thomas Scheffer, 49, admitted to a felony drug charge and was given a five-year suspended sentence to DOC.

An affidavit in Scheffer’s file states that on Aug. 25, 2013, a search of Scheffer’s vehicle during a traffic stop on Highway 93 revealed two used syringes with residue and liquid inside of them. Scheffer tested positive for methamphetamine use.

Upon entrance of the plea, the state withdrew a persistent felony offender notice. The sentence will run consecutive to a separate case in Missoula County, where Scheffer was transported after the hearing.

-William Hoover, 56, was arraigned and entered a plea of not guilty to felony DUI charges.

Court records state that Hoover was pulled over on Oct. 18, 2013 after allegedly driving erratically and dangerously on Highway 93. Hoover reportedly appeared intoxicated and refused to provide a breath sample. A sample of blood drawn later revealed a blood alcohol content of .167. Hoover’s driving record reflects eight prior convictions for DUI.

Hoover is next scheduled to appear for an omnibus hearing on Mar. 5, with a jury trial set to commence on Apr. 28.

-Pursuant to a plea agreement based on a felony drug charge, Tyler Erickson had imposition of a sentence deferred for two years. Erickson was granted credit for time already served and will not be required to serve additional jail time.

Court documents state that in October, authorities responded to a dispute at the residence where Erickson had been living with his mother and found “several items of drug paraphernalia consistent with methamphetamine abuse.”

-After reaching a plea agreement in January, Jeana Hill was sentenced to DOC for 12 years with seven years suspended for a felony drug charge of criminal possession with intent to distribute.

Court documents state that on Sept. 24, Lake County Sheriff’s deputies acted on a search warrant for a Bigfork residence and found “multiple bags of apparent methamphetamine, a scale, packing materials and items used to ingest methamphetamine.” Hill and her son also allegedly had methamphetamine in their possession.

Records reflect that when interviewed at the Lake County Jail, Hill “admitted that she provided methamphetamine to her son because she knew he was using methamphetamine and she didn’t want him to have to steal to get it or buy ‘bad’ meth.”

-Blake Castro, 28, pled not guilty to a felony charge of assault on a peace officer or judicial officer.

Court records state that on Feb. 5, Polson Police responded to a call of a possible domestic disturbance, with a man behaving strangely after possibly taking “shrooms.” Upon arriving at the scene, officers allegedly found Castro trying to get into a residence while wearing pants and socks but no shirt. Castro allegedly refused to comply with orders to get on the ground until one of the officers threatened to use a taser. After being handcuffed, Castro allegedly resisted being placed in the police car and kicked a responding officer in the face and shoulder.

Castro will appear for an omnibus hearing on Mar. 5, with a jury trial commencing on May 5. Bond was reduced to $1,000 cash on the conditions that Castro obey all laws, wear a drug patch and stay in touch with his attorney.

-Nicole Hadley, 33, had a suspended sentence revoked after admitting to violating conditions of her parole. As a result, Hadley was sentenced to DOC for five years with none suspended and was recommended for placement in an appropriate drug treatment program.

Court documents state that Hadley has allegedly failed to report to her probation officer twice in the past few months. Hadley also admitted to using methamphetamine earlier this month.

Hadley’s suspended sentence stemmed from a prior conviction for criminal endangerment.

-Joshua Markovich, 23, of Polson, was sentenced to DOC for five years with no time suspended after admitting to violating conditions of his parole.

Court records state that Markovich’s alleged probation violations have included unauthorized possession of a firearm and drug paraphernalia, and driving while his license was suspended or revoked.

Markovich was on probation for a felony burglary charge.

District Court, Judge Christopher presiding

*The following took place on Feb. 20.

-After pleading guilty to a felony DUI charge in court last month, Cody Staley, 30, was sentenced to the DOC for 13 months for placement in an appropriate correctional facility or alcohol treatment program. Staley’s 13-month sentence may not be deferred or suspended and he will not be eligible for parole. He was also issued an additional three-year term, with all that time suspended.

Court records state that in the early afternoon of May 30, Staley was arrested after being involved in a single-vehicle accident on Minesinger Trail.

Staley’s record reflects at least three prior DUI convictions.

-William Martin, 42, of Polson, had a suspended sentence revoked and was committed to the DOC and the Nexus program for three years.

According to court documents, Martin allegedly violated the conditions of his probation by failing to report to his parole officer as scheduled, testing positive for opiates without proof of a prescription, and for consuming alcohol.

The revoked sentences stemmed from a 2011 conviction for felony assault on a minor and felony partner or family member assault.

-Mariah Dempsey pled not guilty to a felony charge of theft, after allegedly taking over $6,150 from her mother’s bank account.

Court records state that on Jan. 8, Polson Police were notified that Dempsey had allegedly “made several unauthorized withdrawals” from a bank account at Whitefish Credit Union in Polson. Bank employees reportedly told an investigating officer that Dempsey had made several attempts to withdraw money despite not being an authorized signatory on the account in question. They said that “several attempts were thwarted when employees refused to authorize the withdrawals” but Dempsey succeeded in withdrawing $6,150 from the account between Dec. 16 and Jan. 6. Since that time, Dempsey was arrested in Washington as part of a burglary investigation and told an interviewing officer that she had stolen a “couple of thousand” dollars from her mother.

Dempsey will next appear for an omnibus hearing on Mar. 20 with a jury trial commencing on April 21.

-Ronnie Burland, 30, was sentenced to the DOC for 10 years with five suspended after having a deferred sentence from last July revoked.

Burland had been ordered to serve 20 days in jail, with a three-year sentence deferred, last July after being convicted for a felony count of burglary. Since that time, however, court documents state that Burland has allegedly violated several conditions of his parole, including a failure to serve the 20 days of jail time, changing his place of residence without permission, unlawfully possessing a firearm after reportedly burglarizing an area home and possessing marijuana. The report of violation concludes that Burland “is considered unsuitable for community supervision and is obviously in need of placement in a structured, clean and sober environment.”

-Kevin Scott Pierce, 31, of Ronan, accepted a plea agreement and admitted to two felony counts of criminal endangerment that stem from a wild car chase last November.

An affidavit filed with the case states that early on Nov. 3, law enforcement officers were alerted of a possible drunk driver at the Town Pump in Ronan. A vehicle matching the description was pulled over, but the driver, later identified as Pierce, refused to turn off the vehicle. An officer approaching the truck opened the door and reached for the keys in the ignition, but at that time, Pierce allegedly sped off. In the ensuing pursuit, documents state that Pierce ran over a street sign and into a section of fence.

Once his vehicle came to rest, he then accelerated backwards, striking an officer’s patrol vehicle and damaging it to the extent that it could not resume the chase. Pierce was eventually arrested by force after crashing into a ditch on Terrace Lake Road. During the chase, he had reportedly driven over 80 mph through oncoming lanes of traffic without using headlights. Pierce was driving on a revoked license and did not have liability insurance.

Pierce will be sentenced on Mar. 27.

-Keith Roberts, 53, of Polson, reached a plea agreement and admitted to an amended offense of criminal child endangerment.

Court documents state that on Nov. 9, Roberts was pulled over in Polson while driving a minivan with the car alarm going off. Upon being pulled over, Roberts appeared to be intoxicated and admitted to drinking two beers earlier.  Children who Roberts said were five and seven years old were in the car at the time. Roberts initially refused to provide a breath sample, but later provided one that measured .148 after being transported to the Lake County Jail.

Roberts will be sentenced on Mar. 27.

-Autumn Cain, 40, of Ronan, reversed a plea and admitted to amended misdemeanor offenses of assault and obstructing a peace officer. Cain was sentenced to the LCJ for six months on each count, with all suspended except for two days already served.

The charges stem from an incident on Oct. 4, when a Ronan Police officer attempted to transport Cain home after initially responding to a report of a disorderly individual at the Second Chance Saloon. Records state that Cain was uncooperative throughout the process and attempted to strike him with her forehead.

Justice Court, Judge Jayne presiding

*The following took place from Feb. 14 to Feb. 20.

-Carmen Thornton, 51. Seatbelt violation. Fined $20. Operating without liability insurance in effect - first offense. Fined $285. Driving without a valid drivers license - expired less than 180 days. Fined $235.

-Wendy Holzinger, 56. Operating without liability insurance in effect - first offense, a misdemeanor. Fined $285. 10 days in jail, all suspended. Basic rule - reasonable and prudent - first offense, a misdemeanor. Fined $85.

-Daniel Bohr, 27. Speeding - exceeding restricted zone limit established by department, a misdemeanor. Fined $55.

-Linda Thomas, 66. Speeding - exceeding restricted zone limit, a misdemeanor. Fined $65.

-Ashlyn Lancaster, 21. Improper passing - in no-passing zone, a misdemeanor. Fined $85.

-Connor Laine, 22. Speeding - exceeding restricted zone limit, a misdemeanor. Fined $65.

-Jeannette Carr, 40. Speeding - exceeding restricted zone limit, a misdemeanor. Fined $55.

-Json Heffner, 42. Violation of DFWP rules and regulations, a misdemeanor. Fined $85.