Lake County District Court, Judge McNeil presiding

*The following district court proceedings took place Feb. 24.

-State of Montana vs. James Lee Laststar; 53. The matter before the Court is an answer petition to revoke. Defendant is ready to admit to the allegations in the report of violation and supplemental report of violation. The Court finds the State provided sufficient evidence to support the petition and revokes the Defendant’s suspended sentence. Ready for sentencing. For the offense of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, a felony, the Court commits the Defendant to the DOC for three years and would recommend Defendant be considered for pre-release providing it meets the approval of the DOC. Previous conditions are re-imposed.

-State of Montana vs. Michael Turpin; 48. The matter before the Court is change of plea. Defendant admits committing the amended offense of criminal endangerment, a felony, Count I, and driving while suspended or revoked, a misdemeanor, Count III. The Court grants the State’s motion to dismiss Count II. The Court makes its findings, accepts the plea and finds the Defendant guilty of the charge. PSI ordered. Sentencing is set for March 31 at 9 a.m.

-State of Montana vs. Everardo Bravo; 42. The matter before the Court is change of plea. Defendant admits committing the offense of criminal possession with intent to distribute, a felony. The Court makes its findings, accepts the plea and finds the Defendant guilty of the charge. PSI ordered. Sentencing is set for March 31 at 9 a.m.

-State of Montana vs. Peter James Auld; 22. The matter before the Court is arraignment. Ready to enter plea, Defendant pleads not guilty to the charge of sexual intercourse without consent. The plea is entered and the case will be set for trial. The Court sets this matter for omnibus hearing on April 7 at 9 a.m.

-State of Montana vs. Robert Chiefstick; 35. The matter before the Court is hearing on the merits. The Court finds the State provided sufficient evidence to support the petition and revokes the Defendant’s deferred sentence. Ready for sentencing. For the offense of criminal possession of dangerous drugs, Counts I and II, felonies, the Court commits the Defendant to the DOC for five years on Count I, with none of that time suspended and on Count II, the Court commits the Defendant to the DOC for five years, with all that time suspended to run consecutive to Count I, and would recommend Defendant be considered for NEXUS providing it meets the approval of the DOC. Previous conditions are re-imposed.

-State of Montana vs. Macy Jore; 28. The matter before the Court is revocation hearing. The Court finds the State provided sufficient evidence to support the petition and revokes the Defendant’s sentence. Ready for sentencing. For the offense of issuing a bad check, a felony, the Court commits the Defendant to the DOC for six years, with three years suspended and would recommend the Defendant be considered for Elkhorn Treatment followed by pre-release providing it meets the approval of the DOC. Previous conditions are re-imposed.

-State of Montana vs. Thomas Allen Ragen; 36. The matter before the Court is revocation hearing. The Court finds the State provided sufficient evidence to support the petition and revokes the Defendant’s suspended sentence. Ready for sentencing. For the offense of assault with a weapon, Count I, a felony, and partner family member assault, a misdemeanor, Count II, the Court commits the Defendant to the DOC for eight years, with all that time suspended. Previous conditions are re-imposed.

Lake County District Court, Judge Christopher presiding

*The following district court proceedings took place Feb. 25.

-State of Montana vs. William Rorvik; 28. The matter before the Court is sentencing. The Court commits Defendant to the five year maximum sentence and it is to run consecutive to whatever sentence he receives on the revocation of his sentence in DC-06-142. The Court recommends Defendant be considered for placement at any chemical dependency treatment facility deemed appropriate, preferably the WATCH program. In the event the commitment to the DOC is suspended or Defendant is placed on parole, all conditions by the probation office are incorporated by reference with all modifications by the Court. The Court imposes a $1,000 fine.

-State of Montana vs. Craig Feistner; 60. The matter before the Court is sentencing. The Court commits Defendant to the DOC for 13 months for placement in an appropriate treatment/correctional facility. If Defendant successfully compete alcohol treatment program, the remaining time will be suspended. The Defendant is further sentenced to the DOC for three years suspended to run consecutively to the initial 13 month sentence.

-State of Montana vs. Emery John Smith II; 36. The matter before the Court is sentencing. The Court commits Defendant to the DOC for placement in an appropriate correctional facility for 13 months. If Defendant successfully complete alcohol treatment program the remainder must be served on probation. In addition, Defendant is sentenced to three more years at DOC or MSP will all of that time suspended to run consecutive to the 13 month commitment to DOC. As conditions Defendant is to pay all fees and surcharges in the plea agreement and restitution in the amount of $3700 is imposed.

-State of Montana vs. Kalem Branson; 28. The matter before the Court is arraignment in DC-10-27 and DC-10-32 and to answer petition in DC-06-50. Ready to enter plea, Defendant pleads not guilty to the charges in DC-10-27 of deceptive practices, common scheme, a felony, Count I and theft of identity, a felony, Count II and in DC-10-32 to the charge of forgery, common scheme, a felony, Count I. The plea is entered and the cases will be set for trial. Omnibus hearing in DC-10-27 and DC-10-32 is set for March 18 at 9 a.m. Defendant prefers to continue DC-06-50 to the same date.

-State of Montana vs. Francine Wood; 60. The matter before the Court is change of plea. Defendant enters an alford plea and admits committing the offenses of theft, felonies, Count I and II. The Court makes its findings, accepts the plea and finds the Defendant guilty of the charges. Updated PSI ordered. Sentencing set for April 15 at 9 a.m.

-State of Montana vs. Bradley Stevens; 38. The matter before the Court is arraignment in DC-10-16 and to answer petition in DC-02-4. Ready to enter plea in DC-10-16, Defendant pleads not guilty to the charges of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fourth or subsequent offense, a felony, Count I; operation of noncommercial vehicle by person with alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more, fourth or subsequent offense, a felony, Count II; obstructing peace officer or other public servant, a misdemeanor, Count III; and unlawful possession of open alcoholic beverage container in motor vehicle on highway, a misdemeanor, Count IV. The plea is entered and the case will be set for trial. Omnibus hearing in DC-10-16 is set for March 25 at 9 a.m. Defendant prefers to continue DC-02-4 to March 25 also. The State clarifies for Defendant that if he does post bond, he remains on probation.

-State of Montana vs. Benjamin Littleleaf; 21. The matter before the Court is change of plea. Defendant admits committing the offense of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, first offense, a misdemeanor, Count II and to the amended offense of unauthorized use of motor vehicles, a misdemeanor, Count I. The Court makes its findings, accepts the plea and finds the Defendant guilty of the charges. The parties are prepared for sentencing. On Count I, the Court fines Defendant $100 and sentences him to six months in the LCJ with all suspended and on Count II the Court fines the Defendant $1,000 with all suspended but $300 and to the LCJ for six months with all suspended but 41 days. Defendant is to receive credit for time served of 41 days. Count II is to run consecutive to Count I.

Justice Court, Judge Wall presiding

*The following justice court proceedings took place Feb. 19-25.

-Pierce, Nathan K.; 32. Obstructing a peace officer or other public servant. 180 days in jail with 178 suspended.

-Weprek, Amber L.; 24. Operating without liability insurance in effect - third or subsequent offense. Fined $450 and 180 days in jail with 170 suspended. Complete first five days by 3/24/10. Driving a motor vehicle while privilege to do so is suspended or revoked. Fined $350 and 180 days in jail and 175 suspended. Proof of DL by 3/24/10 and jail waived.

-Jore, Tiffany E.; 22. Reckless driving. Fined $300 and 90 days in jail with 90 suspended.

-Handley, Jarali S.; 31. Operating without liability insurance in effect - second offense. Fined $350 and 10 days in jail with eight suspended. Jail waived upon proof of six months continuous insurance.

-Printz, Ronald J.; 67. Permit swine, sheep, goats to run at large. Fined $100. Permit swine, sheep, goats to run at large. Fined $100.

-Ottun, Tavis R.; 23. Careless driving. Fined $50.

-Salois, April S.; 18. Possessing intoxicating substances while under the age of 21 (over age 18) - first offense. Fined $100.

-McCaughin, Andrew J.; 23. Driving without a valid driver’s license - expired less than 180 days. Fined $250 and 180 days in jail with 180 suspended.

-Madman, George M.; 23. Driving a motor vehicle while the privilege to do so is suspended or revoked. Fined $250 and 180 days in jail with 178 suspended. Provide proof of valid DL by 4/01/2010 and jail waived. Operating without liability insurance in effect - first offense. Fined $150.

-Keeble, Justin A.; 28. Reckless driving. Fined $100 and 90 days in jail with 90 suspended.

-Browne, Jacob T.; 18. Possessing intoxicating substances while under the age of 21 (under age 18) - first offense. Fined $100.

-Barta, Jonah V.; 18. Possessing intoxicating substances while under the age of 21 (under age 18) - first offense. Fined $100.

Polson City Court, Judge Olson presiding

*The following city court proceedings took place Feb. 20-26.

-Martin, William D.; 38. Privacy in communications - first offense. Fined $100.

-Lemke, Kristal A.; 23. Speeding violation (day or night). Fined $100.

-Kujala, Benjamin J.; 28. Failure to carry proof or exhibit insurance in vehicle - first offense. Fined $50.

-Schafer, Gregory D.; 34. Speeding violation (day or night). Fined $50.

-Barry, Matthew A.; 26. Speeding violation (day or night). Fined $50.

-Gainan, Tonya L.; 33. Failure to carry proof or exhibit insurance in vehicle - first offense. Fined $50.

-Kelly, Joshua J.; 31. Criminal possession of drug paraphernalia. Fined $75.

-Brown, Melisa; 19. Failure to carry proof or exhibit insurance in vehicle - first offense. Fined $50.

-Yandell, Joshua D.; 30. Failure to carry proof or exhibit insurance in vehicle - first offense. Fined $50.

Booked into county jail

* Editor’s note: The following people were booked into the county jail from Feb. 24-March 2, but in most cases have not had a chance to enter a plea. They are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

-Dickie, Kyle J.; 47. Arrested on site for a warrant, a misdemeanor; driving while suspended or revoked, a violation; criminal endangerment, a felony; and DUI alcohol or drugs, a misdemeanor.

-Kausshen, Jason S.; 39. Arrested on site for disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor.

-Gardiner, Nickie D.; 53. Arrested on site for DUI alcohol or drugs, a felony.

Released from county jail

-Amedee, Darren R.; 23. Arrested on site for criminal contempt, a misdemeanor; disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor; criminal trespass to property, a misdemeanor; and criminal mischief, a misdemeanor.

-Sias, Theron M.; 22. Arrested on site for no valid drivers license, a misdemeanor; and DUI alcohol or drugs, a misdemeanor.

-Peterson, Richard J.; 26. Arrested on site for obstructing a peace officer, a misdemeanor; resisting arrest, a misdemeanor; and disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor.

-Long, Daniel L.; 28. Arrested on site for DUI alcohol or drugs, a misdemeanor; no proof of liability insurance, a violation; and open container in a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor.

-Miller, Matthew T.; 21. Arrested on a warrant for criminal contempt, a misdemeanor.

-Templeton, Eric M.; 23. Arrested on site for criminal contempt, a misdemeanor.

-Sinclair, Traver L.; 32. Arrested on site for DUI alcohol or drugs, a misdemeanor.

-Newman, Victor A.; 26. Arrested on site for habitual offender, a misdemeanor; no liability insurance, a misdemeanor; and driving while suspended or revoked, a misdemeanor.