A day after a man and woman took divergent paths in a federal drug case involving methamphetamine distribution in Havre, the pair were taken into custody for a handful of crimes in the Flathead Valley.

James Anthony Lovenguth, 38, and Tanda Aurora (Trout) Lovenguth, 37, were arrested on March 8 and booked into the Flathead County Detention Center. Federal probation officials would not comment on their status.

Court documents filed in federal court indicate James Lovenguth was taken back into federal custody and had his conditional release revoked because he “has tested positive for the use of marijuana, committed a physical assault, consumed alcohol, and drove a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and inhalants.”

James Lovenguth was charged in Flathead County for aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, driving under the influence of alcohol, not having liability insurance coverage, not wearing a seat belt and partner/family member assault.

He waived the right to a hearing about the alleged violations and was remanded to federal custody until the case is resolved.

A day prior to his arrest, James had filed a plea agreement where he agreed to plead guilty to one felony count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Three other drug distribution and gun possession charges were to be dropped in the plea agreement.

Tanda Lovenguth, who was being held on a U.S. Marshals warrant and out-of-county warrant, had opted to proceed to trial in the federal case.

According to court documents, James Lovenguth called Havre Police to clear out a party at his residence on May 4, 2015. James was not at the home at the time of the call. He also asked that Tanda Lovenguth be removed and told officers that there were outstanding warrants for her arrest. At the time, the pair were boyfriend and girlfriend and living together.

Tanda Lovenguth was arrested. Officers found several firearms, a variety of drug paraphernalia, and what they believed to be methamphetamine in the residence.

A search of the property found 78 grams of methamphetamine along with several firearms.

James Loventugh was interviewed and allegedly told officers that he used meth twice per week.

An informant later told investigators that she had bought meth from both James and Tanda multiple times in the six months leading up to the drug bust.

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.