Lake County District Court news for April 1, 2015
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Judge James A. Manley dealt with the following cases Wednesday, March 25:
Caitlin Elaine Hewankorn, 23, Polson, pleaded not guilty to tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, a felony. An omnibus hearing is set for April 29 and a jury trial for June 15.
According to court documents, on Nov. 14, 2014, someone called 911 to report a burglary in progress in Pablo. The deputy was told three males had forced entry into a residence and were hauling items next door repeatedly. The caller also reported one of the items was a newly-purchased 32-inch Vizio television. One of the burglars was identified, and the deputy went to his home and found a large projection TV with one side popped out. When the deputy looked inside, he saw a 32-inch TV. Some of the home’s occupants were arrested and the rest were asked to leave as the deputy secured the scene and called for another deputy to remain on the scene. When that deputy arrived, he saw a Hewankorn holding a 32-inch Vizio TV by the front door. She tried to run but tripped and fell, and was subsequently arrested and taken to Tribal jail, because there was not room in Lake County Jail.
Semisi Misa, 49, Ronan, pleaded not guilty to issuing a bad check, a common scheme, a felony. An omnibus hearing is set for June 17 and a jury trial for Aug. 3.
According to court documents, between July 8 and July 13, 2014, Misa allegedly wrote six checks totaling $262.45 to a Ronan gas station on an account she knew was closed or had insufficient funds.
Albert Cecil Adams, Jr., 51, St, Ignatius, pleaded not guilty to felony burglary and theft, a misdemeanor. An omnibus hearing is set for June 17 and a jury trial for Aug. 3.
According to court documents, Adams allegedly stole a wood stove from a Ronan residence on or around Jan. 24. Neighbors witnessed two men load the stove into a truck and leave. When Adams got a tip that law enforcement was on to him, he allegedly returned the stove to the doorway of the home on Feb. 6.
Christopher Thomas Judd, 44, Rollins, pleaded guilty to criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony. The court found Judd guilty, and set sentencing for April 29.
According to court documents, on Feb. 11 agents from the Mission Mountain Drug Task Force searched Judd’s residence and found several large vacuum-packed bags of marijuana hidden inside a wall. The bags weighed significantly more than 60 grams.
Emery John Smith, II, 41, Ronan, pleaded not guilty to aggravated assault, a felony. An omnibus hearing is set for April 29 and a jury trial for June 15.
According to court documents, on March 11 tribal officers received a call from a woman who said Smith had broken into her residence. Then the call was cut off and the phone line disconnected. Tribal officers and a Lake County Sheriff’s deputy went to the home on Timberlane Road and found the door jamb broken and it looked like someone kicked it in. The victim said she had been dating Smith since he was released from prison on Christmas Day 2014 and they had gotten into an argument because she wouldn’t sit down and drink with him. A screaming match ensued that escalated into the bathroom, where the victim said Smith pushed her head up against the wall and choked her until she lost consciousness, yet periodically allowed her to breathe. Evidence at the scene was consistent with the victim’s story, according to court documents.
Marissa Marie Longtree, 23, Ronan, in a change of plea admitted committing the offense of partner or family member assault, a felony. The court accepted the plea and found Longtree guilty. Sentencing is set for April 29. A felony charge of assault on a peace officer was dismissed in the plea bargain.
According to court documents, in December 2014, Longtree got in an argument with her mother in Ronan and hit her in the face.
Judge Deborah Kim Christopher dealt with the following cases Thursday, March 26:
Stacey Stevens, 40, St. Ignatius, was sentenced to the Department of Corrections for 15 years with 10 suspended for an amended offense of burglary, a felony.
According to court documents, charges stem from a December 2012 incident where Stevens allegedly broke into the trailer of an acquaintance, looking for a woman. Stevens believed the trailer owner was sleeping with her.
Kelly Gordon Dupuis, 25, Pablo, pleaded not guilty to criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony. An omnibus hearing is set for July 9 and a jury trial Aug. 24.
According for court documents, on May 24, 2014, a Montana Highway Patrol trooper found Dupuis passed out slumped over the steering wheel of his car. Dupuis showed symptoms of recent methamphetamine use. The trooper had had previous contact with Dupuis, and noticed Dupuis had lost a significant amount of weight in short period of time. Dupuis also showed signs of crashing after prolonged meth use. The trooper found a gram of meth and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. A blood draw at the hospital showed meth in Dupuis’ blood.
Heather Rose Bird, 32, Charlo, pleaded not guilty to criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony. An omnibus hearing is set for June 18 and a jury trial for July 27.
