20th District Court News
Jury trial set for Pastos
Nikos John Pastos, who was charged with felony criminal possession of a dangerous drug, was in Judge Molly Owen’s court June 7 for an omnibus hearing. A jury trial date was set for Oct. 16.
The case began on Dec. 8, 2022, when Pastos was at the CSKT Tribal Complex in Pablo to reschedule an appointment. After he left, personnel found a bag where he had been standing. Tribal police checked the surveillance video and observed the bag fall behind Pastos’ right leg. The bag contained a white crystalline substance identified by the Montana State Crime Lab as methamphetamine.
Buehl faces charge for non-registration as a violent offender
Judge Owen saw Lanny Wade Buehl in her court on June 7 on felony charges that he failed to register as a violent offender.
The case stems from when Buehl was convicted of an offense in Glacier County and was required to register as a violent offender. On Dec. 8, 2020, he registered with Lake County as a transient, and was required to report monthly to Lake County officials but hasn’t done so since that date. According to court records, he was involved in a shoplifting investigation on March 28, 2021.
An omnibus hearing date of Aug. 23 was scheduled along with a jury trial date of Nov. 6.
Haynes sentenced for St. Ignatius area burglaries
Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher saw Quianna Leigh Haynes, who was charged with burglarizing St. Ignatius-area homes and businesses, on June 8 for sentencing. In a plea agreement, Haynes pleaded guilty to three counts of felony burglary and one count of felony bail jumping.
For the burglary charges all the sentences run concurrently for a total of 10 years to the Department of Corrections with five suspended. For felony bail jumping, Haynes was committed to the DOC for five years with five suspended to run consecutively with the other counts.
Haynes’ attorney, Sterling Laudon, reported that Haynes has been accepted into Elkhorn Treatment Center in Boulder.
Judge Christopher stipulated that if Haynes’ family wants to have contact with her at the treatment center, they need to notify the Lake County Attorney’s Office and provide a document in writing. The court wants Haynes to complete her GED and try to get into a nursing program.