Ronan man pleads guilty to burglary, assault
A Ronan man pleaded guilty in Lake County District Court to two felonies related to a violent burglary last November in Polson.
Chimeco Rivers Martinez, 18, pleaded guilty on April 6 to aggravated burglary and assault with a weapon, both felonies, as part of a plea agreement. Aggravated burglary carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and/or a $50,000 fine, while the maximum penalty for assault with a weapon is 20 years and a $50,000 fine.
As part of the plea agreement, the state recommends a sentence of 40 years with 20 years suspended and restitution in an amount yet to be determined. District Court Judge James Manley set sentencing for May 25.
Court documents indicate Polson Police responded to a report of a stabbing victim at St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson about an hour after midnight on Nov. 20, 2021. Officers noted the victim had several serious stab wounds and slashes to his arms, suggesting they were likely defensive injuries.
The victim said he was in his Polson apartment when Martinez entered through a window. When he tried to get Martinez to leave, Martinez began stabbing him and kicked him in the face. The victim said Martinez was somehow intoxicated and wasn’t “acting right.”
The victim said Martinez then took his keys, a wallet, two iPads and an extension cord, and held the victim captive for a few hours.
Martinez eventually figured out which car in the parking lot belonged to the victim and forced him to the back seat of his own car. The victim said Martinez was “driving like a maniac” as he took him to the hospital and dropped him off before leaving with the car.
Investigators later found Martinez wearing blood-stained clothes and passed out in his own car in a downtown Polson parking lot. They also found a folding pocket knife and a small bag of methamphetamine, as well as an extension cord, two iPads and a bag of coins.
The state has agreed to dismiss charges of criminal possession of dangerous drugs and kidnapping, both felonies, as part of the plea deal.