Mission woman sentenced for car theft and endangerment

A St Ignatius woman, who admitted to endangering the public during a pursuit and, in a separate case, stealing a car, was sentenced in Polson District Court on Oct. 21.

Judge Molly Owen sentenced Faith Ann Parker, 26, to the Montana Department of Corrections for 10 years with five years suspended for felony criminal endangerment. In a separate case involving the theft of a vehicle, she received another three years with DOC,  all suspended with the sentences to run concurrently. 

The sentences are in accordance with a plea agreement reached Sept. 2 that dismisses one count of aggravated fleeing or eluding and two counts of criminal endangerment.

According to charging documents, on May 1, law enforcement officers spotted a white Dodge Caravan that matched the description of a possible stolen vehicle. The officers observed the Caravan turn onto Songer Road, just south of Ronan, without signaling and attempted to conduct a traffic stop.

The Caravan took off at a high rate of speed, and at one point began losing traction on a gravel road. Other law enforcement officers joined in the pursuit, as others staged in the area.

At one point, the Caravan drove directly at a patrol unit, forcing one officer to jump out of the passenger side. The Caravan swerved in time to avoid hitting the patrol unit.

Spike strips were successfully deployed at Bouchard Road, which brought the Caravan to a stop at Innovation Drive south of Ronan. The driver, later identified as Parker, attempted to flee on foot but was quickly detained.

Parker was already facing a charge stemming from the theft of 2015 Acura as it was parked outside of Allard’s Convenience Store in St. Ignatius on Nov. 25, 2025.

Judge Owen gave Parker credit for having already served 173 days in jail.