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20th Judicial District Court News

BERL TISKUS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 11 months AGO
by BERL TISKUS
Reporter Berl Tiskus joined the Lake County Leader team in early March 2023, and covers Ronan City Council, schools, ag and business. Berl grew up on a ranch in Wyoming and earned a degree in English education from MSU-Billings and a degree in elementary education from the University of Montana. Since moving to Polson three decades ago, she’s worked as a substitute teacher, a reporter for the Valley Journal and a secretary for Lake County Extension. | August 31, 2023 12:00 AM

Bockman fails to show for court date

Elliott Wayne Bockman was scheduled to appear in Judge Molly Owen’s court on Aug. 23 for sentencing. He did not appear for his court date.

Bockman’s case began on Nov. 23, 2017, when dispatch received a call that a pickup had been stolen, and the thief was headed towards Pablo. Officers put out an attempt-to-locate on police radios, and a tribal officer spotted the pickup in front of a house in Pablo. Bockman was sitting in the driver’s seat and was placed under arrest. As he was searched, officers found a Clonazepam pill under his leg.

Bockman was charged with felony theft. After changing attorneys several times and not showing up for court dates, on Nov. 15, 2018, Bockman was held on $25,000 bail and told to appear in District Court the Wednesday after his release from jail. He did not appear, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was arrested on April 14, 2023.

Allen receives suspended sentence for magic mushrooms

Clayton John Edward Allen was sentenced in Judge Molly Owen’s court to the Department of Corrections or one year with one year suspended. The sentence would run consecutively to the sentence for which Allen is currently on probation.

Allen’s case began on Jan. 6, 2023, when he had just been the subject of a probation search. During the probation check, officers found dried mushrooms which commonly contain psilocybin, a schedule 1 dangerous drug, in his possession. Allen acknowledged that the specimens were psychedelic mushrooms used for getting high.

A friend had bought the mushrooms out-of-state and brought them to his home and left them, he said. The mushrooms were sent to the Montana State Crime Lab but results of the testing are not yet available.

In a plea agreement, the defendant agreed to plead guilty to one count of felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs.

ARTICLES BY BERL TISKUS

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Ronan City Council moves forward on police business, extends preliminary approval for subdivision

Ronan’s City Council dealt with lots of civic business at the July 22 meeting.

Tribal detectives and Polson police give overview of drug use in Lake County
July 23, 2026 midnight

Tribal detectives and Polson police give overview of drug use in Lake County

Polson Police Chief George Simpson and Tribal Police Chief Couture partnered with two Tribal Police Drug Investigators, Will Mesteth and Vern Fisher, to provide an overview of drug trends in the community.

Standing Arrow Celebration brings dancers, drummers and visitors to Skookum Lane
July 23, 2026 midnight

Standing Arrow Celebration brings dancers, drummers and visitors to Skookum Lane

The first grand entry of the 46th annual Standing Arrow Celebration was at 7 p.m. on July 18. The weather was sweltering, especially for dancers in full regalia. The powwow grounds had a new large tent for dancers to stand in as they waited to enter the dance arbor. Tarps attached to the arbor walls on the west side shielded spectators from the setting sun.