The first of a pair of people charged for a series of crimes on their way to North Dakota from California has been sentenced.

Timothy Holt, 31, had pleaded guilty to a felony charge of operation of an unlawful clandestine laboratory as part of a plea agreement that saw additional felony charges of accountability to forgery and burglary dismissed.

During a sentencing hearing Thursday, Flathead District Judge Robert Allison sentenced Holt to five years with the Montana Department of Corrections, followed by five years of probation.

Allison recommended that Holt be placed in the Missoula Assessment and Sanction Center — which provides short-term treatment in chemical dependency, criminal thinking, sexual offenses and mental health issues — to be followed by pre-release.

According to a court document, Holt and Cindy Pruett, 41, stole a checkbook from a woman and wrote more than $2,700 in fraudulent checks. The victim reported her belief that 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 identified Pruett writing the checks and Holt carrying the items from stores.

The pair eventually were arrested when they allegedly tried to use a stolen credit card. When Pruett was arrested she directed police to the Outlaw Inn where Holt was staying. 

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

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

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

Pruett has pleaded not guilty to her charges. If convicted of all her charges, she faces up to 80 years in prison and a fine of up to $125,000.

She is currently incarcerated in the Flathead County Detention Center, where her bond is set at $100,000

Her next hearing is set for Dec. 18.

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