A man and a woman living temporarily in Columbia Falls have pleaded not guilty to a series of charges, including one stemming from their alleged operation of a methamphetamine lab.

Timothy Holt, 30, and Cindy Pruett, 41, entered their pleas Thursday in Flathead District Court. Both are charged with felony counts of burglary and operation of an unlawful clandestine laboratory, while Pruett also is charged with felony forgery and Holt is charged with felony accountability to forgery.

According to a court document, Holt and Pruett stole a checkbook from a woman and wrote more than $2,700 in fraudulent checks. The alleged victim said the two were responsible because the couple had come into town and were staying at her grandfather’s residence, from which the checks were stolen.

A search of the bedroom where the pair were staying allegedly turned up mail and other personal documents belonging to various people. Subsequent video surveillance allegedly identified Pruett writing the checks and Holt carrying items from stores.

The pair eventually were arrested when they allegedly tried to use a stolen credit card. Pruett was located and arrested, directing police to the Outlaw Inn, where Holt was staying. He was then found and arrested.

The court document states that Pruett gave police permission to search the motel room, where a meth pipe was found that Holt said was his and a syringe was found that he claimed belonged to Pruett.

Holt also allegedly confessed to burglarizing a U.S. 2 storage unit with Pruett, and that the stolen items were in their vehicle, along with a methamphetamine lab. Burglary tools were also allegedly found in the vehicle.

The court document also indicates that based on the information and items seized, it is likely that the U.S. Attorney’s Office will file additional charges. Holt and Pruett are from California and were on their way to North Dakota, making them both flight risks.

The document also noted their “extensive criminal histories,” stating Holt has convictions for theft and forgery as well as several charges for failing to appear, and that Pruett’s history includes forgery, burglary, and drug possession. She currently is on probation out of California.

If convicted of all their charges, each faces up to 80 years in prison and a fine of up to $125,000. They are both currently incarcerated in the Flathead County Detention Center, where each is being held on a $100,000 bond.

The next hearing in each of their cases is set for Aug. 28.

Reporter Jesse Davis may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at jdavis@dailyinterlake.com.