Courts
POLSON — James Lapotka has been sworn in as the top prosecutor of Lake County. Former Lake County Attorney Steve Eschenbacher’s last day was June 30. Lapotka was sworn-in as the new Lake County Attorney that afternoon by District Judge Molly Owen. Also retiring this week was Barbara Marshall. Marshall’s last day was June 29 after serving nearly 41 years as a court reporter for the 20th Judicial District made up of Lake and Sander’s Counties. And longtime detention officer with the Lake County Sheriff’s office, Dane Heckle had his last day of service to the county on July 1st. Congratulations and good luck on your new adventures.
POLSON — A Marion woman convicted of causing a fatal crash in a stolen car was sentenced at District Court in Polson on June 30 to a total of 18 years in the Montana State Women’s prison with 10 years suspended. Lease Sierra Moore, 19, entered a plea of guilty on April 7 to felony negligent homic...
POLSON — The imposition of sentencing was deferred for six years for a St. Ignatius woman after she entered an Alford plea to one count of felony exploitation of an older or disabled person. The sentence for Shara Darlene Hoskinson, 45, was handed down at District Court in Polson on June 23 by Judge Ka...
POLSON — A Dixon woman was committed to the Montana Department of Corrections for five years with all but 30 days jail time suspended on one count of felony criminal endangerment. The sentence was handed down during a hearing at District Court in Polson on June 9. Jennifer Michelle Hammond, 40, was ...
POLSON — A mother from St. Ignatius and her adult son were sentenced, one right after the other, at District Court in Polson on May 25 for their involvement in the death of 18-year-old Saul Blackweasel last January. Rope Kinkade Ardis, 20, was sentenced to the Montana State Prison for eight years wi...
POLSON — The imposition of sentencing for a Polson man caught with fentanyl hidden in his body was deferred for three years. Jimmy Justin Glass, 41, was given credit for time served of 146 days during his sentencing hearing at District Court in Polson on May 25. Glass was booked into the Lake County...
LAKE COUNTY — Judge Jim Manley’s next to last drug court was both raucous and poignant, a celebration and a farewell. It was also a testimonial to how the justice system, working in concert with a supportive community, can transform lives. Supreme Court Justice Ingrid Gustafson – a forme...
POLSON — A Polson man was sentenced at District Court in Polson on May 19 to a total of six years with the Montana Department of Corrections for violating conditions of parole by possessing drugs. Justin Duane Onesalt, 34, was also sentenced to 20 years with the Montana State Prison with 10 years suspe...
News from the office of Senator Tester U.S. SENATE — We made a lot of progress last week on our fight against consolidation in the agriculture industry. Consolidation in any industry is never good, and the ag industry is no exception. It means capitalism isn’t working, and in the meatpack...
POLSON — Sentencing is tentatively set for June 23 for a Ronan man accused of inappropriate communications with a minor. Dwayne Oliver Turner, 36, entered a “no contest” plea at District Court in Polson May 4 to an amended charge of felony criminal endangerment. Turner was initially charged...
