Lake County District Court news for Oct. 7, 2010
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Judge C.B. McNeil heard the following cases Sept. 29:
Joshua Couture, 21, Ronan, entered a no contest plea and admitted to the offense of Assault on a Police Officer, a felony. The court found Couture guilty and sentencing is set for Wednesday, Nov. 3 at 9 a.m.
According to court records, the charges stem from an incident on April 10 when police received reports of a man passed out on US Highway 93, near mile-marker 19. Five minutes later, a Tribal Officer observed Couture walking on the highway in the same area.
When the officer approached him, Couture responded abrasively and the officer noted a strong odor of alcohol coming from him. He also noted that Couture was unsteady on his feet.
Judging that Couture was intoxicated, he instructed him to have a seat in the back of his patrol car. Couture then threatened the officer and took a swing at him. After being handcuffed Couture kicked the officer in the face and chest.
Robert Conley, 60, Trout Creek, admitted to committing the amended offense of criminal endangerment, a felony, and driving a motor vehicle while privilege to do so is suspended or revoked, a misdemeanor. The court found Conley guilty. Sentencing is set for Wednesday, Nov. 3 at 9 a.m.
According to court records, the charges stem from an April 6 incident when a Tribal Officer pulled over Conley after observing him make several U-turns on US Hwy 93, cross the center and fog lines, and then almost turned into a ditch.
Conley admitted to the officer that he’d had seven mixed drinks before driving and told the officer that he did not have a driver’s license or insurance in the car.
When a Sheriff’s Deputy took over, he noted that Conley had unsteady balance, smelled of an alcoholic beverage and had slurred speech and glassy eyes.
Eugene Charles Heavy Runner, Jr., 61, Arlee, changed his plea to no contest and admitted committing the offense of partner or family member assault, third or subsequent offense, a felony. Sentencing is set for Wednesday, Nov. 3, at 9 a.m.
According to court records, the charges stem from an April 10 incident when Tribal Police responded to Heavy Runner’s home after receiving reports of possible domestic abuse. When officers arrived, they could hear Heavy Runner yelling inside the house so they knocked and Heavy Runner answered. After questioning, the woman he was yelling at told officers that Heavy Runner had grabbed her by the right elbow and pulled her off the couch. Officers observed a thumb-sized bruise above her elbow.
Kimberly L. Joseph, 38, of Elmo, admitted committing the offense of driving while under the influence of alcohol and drugs, fourth or subsequent offense, a felony. Sentencing is set for Wednesday, Nov. 3, at 9 a.m.
According to court records, charges stem from a June 26, 2009 incident where Joseph was arrested for driving in Polson while drinking from a bottle of Bacardi.
Cydrese Hendrickx, 22, St. Ignatius, was sentenced to Montana State Prison for 15 years, all suspended, to run consecutive with an earlier sentencing for committing the offense of burglary by accountability, a felony.
According to court records, the charges stem from a Nov. 9, 2009 incident in Polson where a resident returned home to find $1,500 of items missing, including a Nikon camera.
Sean Deranleau, 22, Arlee, was sentenced to the Department of Corrections for placement in an appropriate correctional facility for 13 months, followed by a three-year commitment to the Department of Corrections with all suspended. Deranleau had been found guilty of felony driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fourth or subsequent offense.
According to court records, charges stem from a June 27, 2009 incident where Deranleau crashed his Dodge Stealth on MT Hwy 354 and walked away from the burning vehicle.
Jesse Finley, 21, Ronan, was considered for placement at Treasure State Boot Camp with a deferred imposition of sentence for four years. He will also be designated a Level I sexual offender for admitting to charges of attempted sexual assault, a felony. According to court records, charges stem from an August 26 incident where Finley was accused of allegedly having sex with a 13-year-old.
For charges of partner or family member assault, Finley was sentenced to the Department of Corrections for four years with all suspended.
According to court records, those charges stem from a March 26 incident where officers responded to distressed calls coming from a woman’s phone. The woman claimed Finley attacked her while she held a 20-month-old child, fearing Finley would hurt the child.
Both sentences are to run concurrently.
