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20th Judicial District Court News

BERL TISKUS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years 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. | September 21, 2023 12:00 AM

Gravelle receives suspended sentences for three years

Kenneth Ambrose Gravelle was sentenced in Judge Molly Owen’s court on Sept. 13. Gravelle agreed to plead guilty to one count of felony theft and one count of criminal possession of dangerous drugs. His sentences were deferred for three years on each count, and run concurrently.

Gravelle’s case began on March 21, when an officer found a car parked on Saddle Mountain Road near Arlee.The plates on the car were for a motorhome.

The officer thought the car was abandoned so he contacted the owner, who said the car should have been in a shop for repairs, and asked him to tow the vehicle.

As he hooked up the car to tow it, the officer noticed someone in the vehicle. The person, Gravelle, did not respond, and when he came around he didn’t know where he was or whose car it was.

The officer who arrested Gravelle found a baggie of methamphetamine on him. When he was being booked, however, the baggie was missing. After reviewing surveillance video, officers saw Gravelle drop the baggie on the floor in the visiting area and retrieved the bag.

Felland sentenced to four years for a felony drug charge

Andrew Tollof Felland was sentenced in Judge Molly Owen’s court on Sept. 13 to the Department of Corrections for four years and received credit for 140 days time served.

In a plea agreement, Falland agreed to plead guilty to one count of felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs, and the state agreed to dismiss one another count of felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs.

Felland’s case stemmed from May 12, 2021, when a law enforcement officer arrested him for traveling 65 mph in a 55 mph zone while driving up Polson hill. Felland’s hands were trembling and he was breathing rapidly during the traffic stop.

The officer asked about Felland’s nervous behavior and then asked if there was anything illegal in the car. Felland answered there was a “bowl” under the front seat, and explained he was talking about methamphetamine. He consented to a search of his vehicle, and officers found a pouch under the seat, containing a meth pipe and a quarter gram of methamphetamine.

Felland was charged with one count of felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs. He failed to show up in court, and a warrant was issued for his arrest on Sept. 13, 2021. The warrant was not served until April 27, 2023.

In the meantime a Tribal Law Enforcement officer saw Felland at Walmart and recognized him as having an outstanding warrant on the felony drug charge. He approached Felland and arrested him on his warrant.

Another law enforcement officer asked Felland if he had anything on him during the search. Felland said he had a “50 bag” in the car and gave consent to retrieve the item. The officers located a small baggie of methamphetamine that had “50” printed on it.

ARTICLES BY BERL TISKUS

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