Lake County Leader / Anderson Broadcasting
Jeff Smith is news director for Anderson Broadcasting and a contributor to the Lake County Leader.
ARTICLES BY JEFF SMITH
Charlo man could face 50 years for sexually assaulting minor
A Charlo man admitted to sexually assaulting a minor. Ronald Paul Hansen, 35, entered a plea of guilty in Polson District Court on July 1 to two felony charges related to the incident.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 9 HOURS, 53 MINUTES AGO
Bitsinni admits to felony criminal mischief
A Dayton man, already on probation from a 2018 conviction, admitted to charges related to a damaged fence. Orli Christensen Bitsinni, 26, entered a plea of guilty in Polson District Court on July 2 to criminal mischief.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 9 HOURS, 53 MINUTES AGO
Jorgenson sentenced to four years for sexually assaulting minors
A Ronan man who pled guilty to sexual assault was sentenced in Polson District Court on June 24 to 10 years in the Montana State Prison, with six years suspended, for assaulting four minors.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK AGO
Arlee man enters Alford Plea in sex abuse case
Dalton Ray Best, 20, of Arlee, entered an Alford plea in District Court in Polson June 24 to sexual abuse of children. Judge Molly Owen set sentencing for Aug. 12.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK AGO
Mission man pleads guilty to disorderly conduct
A St. Ignatius man, accused of attempting to gain access to a residence on Eagle Pass Trail, pled guilty in Polson District Court June 24 to a lesser charge.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK AGO
Mission man admits to stealing guns, car
A St. Ignatius man who admitted to breaking into a St. Ignatius residence and stealing firearms pled guilty in Polson District Court June 25 to two counts of burglary. Gentry William Brown, 28, also entered a plea of guilty to theft of a light vehicle stemming from a separate incident.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK AGO
Polson woman sentenced for causing fatal 2025 crash
A Polson woman, who admitted to causing a fatal vehicle crash in July of 2025, was sentenced in District Court in Polson June 10 to the Montana State Women’s Prison for 20 years with 15 suspended.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 2 WEEKS, 1 DAY AGO
Woman sentenced to 20 years for causing fatal crash
A Polson woman, who admitted to causing a fatal vehicle crash in July of 2025, was sentenced in District Court in Polson June 10 to the Montana State Women’s Prison for 20 years with 15 suspended.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 3 WEEKS AGO
Ronan man sentenced for child sex abuse
A Ronan man, with two prior convictions for sexual abuse of children, was sentenced to 10 years in the Montana State Prison with five years suspended on another charge of the same.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 3 WEEKS AGO
Following Supreme Court appeal, judge cuts Matt's sentence in half
A Ronan man, who appealed his sentence for assaulting a peace officer in April 2023 to the Montana Supreme Court, was re-sentenced in District Court in Polson May 28.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 MONTH AGO
Drennan-Beck sentenced to 20 years for evidence tampering
One of two Lake County men, convicted for crimes relating to the death of Ed Loder, 67, was sentenced to the Montana State Prison for a total of 20 years with none of that time suspended. Jonathan Micheal Drennan-Beck, 31, was sentenced in Polson District Court May 28 by Judge …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 MONTH AGO
Suspect in Christmas Day slaying in Polson enters guilty plea
A 19-year-old Polson man, accused of shooting and killing 31-year-old Sheldon Fisher on Christmas Day in 2024, pleaded guilty in Polson District Court May 20 to the amended charge of mitigated deliberate homicide.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 1 MONTH, 1 WEEK AGO
Cajune admits to Christmas Day homicide
A 19-year-old Polson man, accused of shooting and killing 31-year-old Sheldon Fisher on Christmas Day in 2024, pleaded guilty in Polson District Court May 20 to the amended charge of mitigated deliberate homicide.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 MONTH, 1 WEEK AGO
Sentence deferred on endangerment charge
A Missoula woman, who admitted to driving while impaired with a child in her car, had the imposition of sentencing deferred for three years.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 MONTH, 1 WEEK AGO
