Ferguson faces petition to revoke
DERRICK PERKINS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 9 months AGO
NEWS EDITOR Derrick Perkins serves as News Editor at the Daily Inter Lake. He oversees daily news coverage and works closely with reporters to plan, edit and publish stories across print and digital platforms. Perkins helps coordinate coverage of local government, public safety, business and community developments throughout Northwest Montana. He works with the reporting staff to strengthen journalism while maintaining consistent daily coverage. His role helps ensure the newsroom delivers timely, accurate reporting that readers rely on. IMPACT: Derrick’s work keeps readers informed about the decisions and events shaping their communities every day. | December 14, 2021 7:00 AM
Prosecutors are seeking the revocation of a local woman’s suspended sentence after alleging multiple parole violations.
Katy Lynn Ferguson earned a suspended, three-year sentence in Lincoln County District Court in April 2019 on a single felony count of criminal possession of dangerous drugs. She was to spend the subsequent three years under the supervision of the state Department of Corrections.
In a report, Probation and Parole Officer Jody McLeod wrote that Ferguson initially took her recovery from substance use disorder seriously. She participated in a chemical dependency treatment, but stopped attending by Jan. 31, 2020, according to a violations report.
On Feb. 18, 2020, Ferguson’s supervising officer received an email from the woman’s treatment provider, raising red flags. The missive described Ferguson as “inconsistent with her counseling, she has several no call no shows and has been late to her counseling several times.”
On Feb. 20, parole and probation officers dropped by Ferguson’s home for a site visit. She was not home at the time and her whereabouts were unknown, according to McLeod’s report, resulting in a compliance violation. McLeod wrote that Ferguson also failed to report as required, resulting in a non-compliance violation, court documents said.
In March, probation and parole officers checked back in with Ferguson’s treatment provider. Employees there said Ferguson was no longer returning for treatment, another violation.
“… Ferguson appeared to be trying to better her situation and remain sober [until] December 2019,” McLeod wrote. “Many case management responses were used to try to gain compliance, but ... Ferguson has now absconded supervision.”
In court on Nov. 22, Ferguson issued a general denial of the alleged violations. A hearing was set for Dec. 23.
ARTICLES BY DERRICK PERKINS
Columbia Falls therapist faces child pornography, other charges
A Flathead Valley therapist is facing multiple felonies, including 15 counts of sexual abuse of children, after authorities allegedly found child porn, drugs and bomb components during a Sept. 2 raid of his Columbia Falls home.
Man fired upon by Kalispell Police officers allegedly hurled cans, rocks during confrontation
The man arrested after Kalispell Police officers opened fire earlier this month allegedly hurled rocks, cans and bottles at them during the confrontation.
Therapist accused of keeping cache of child porn, bomb parts
Scott Thomas McFarlane, 41, is being held in the county jail with bail set at $1 million following the search of his Shadow Wood Drive home.