Man accused of forcing woman to sign over truck at gunpoi

By MEGAN STRICKLAND

for the Leader 

A St. Ignatius man pleaded not guilty last week in Lake County District Court to five felony charges including robbery, assault with a weapon, theft, burglary, and criminal possession of drugs with intent to distribute.

Solomon Preston Bolen, 35, is accused of forcing a woman to Lake County Bank in St. Ignatius at gun point on April 4 and making her sign her truck over to him. The victim reported the alleged incident to police on July 8. The victim claimed that Bolen had then driven the Chevy Silverado truck to Spokane and traded it for 10 pounds of marijuana. Another witness claimed that they had seen Bolen with a package of marijuana at a residence in St. Ignatius on July 8.

Deputies obtained a search warrant and searched the home on Arrow Street. More than two pounds of marijuana was found. A package of powder believed to be methamphetamine was also found and sent the Montana State Crime Lab for analysis.

The woman also told a Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy that on June 14 Bolen had broken into her home. Bolen allegedly admitted to the victim’s son that he had committed the crime and promised to return items taken, but never did.

Bolen is also set for a trial in September and October for two other felony cases in Lake County.

According to court documents, Bolen allegedly passed two women traveling a vehicle on St. Mary’s Lake Road on Nov. 11, 2015. Bolen allegedly stopped the pickup truck he was driving in front of the women’s vehicle and caused them to stop. Bolen allegedly got out of the truck with a rifle and pointed it at the women before he drove off. He has pleaded not guilty to two felony assault with a weapon charges.

Bolen was also allegedly caught with 75 grams of marijuana when he was stopped south of St. Ignatius on Jan. 26. He has pleaded not guilty to a felony county of possession of dangerous drugs in that case.

A jury trial is set for Dec. 19 for the most recent case.