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Erickson convicted of criminal possession Erickson convicted of criminal possession

POLSON — A Polson man with a criminal history dating back to when he was a juvenile and who has been deemed a persistent felony offender, has been sentenced to a total of 16 years in the Montana State Prison after being convicted on two counts of criminal possession of dangerous drugs. According to court records, Tyler Frederick Erickson, 28, was on probation when a search of his home on May 24, 2021 turned up methamphetamine and heroin. After going through several public defenders at taxpayers expense, Erickson elected to represent himself. Minutes into the trial on those charges, Erickson changed his mind and opted for representation. Erickson was ultimately convicted of the drug...


Morgan’s sentence suspended

POLSON — A Polson man will avoid a prison term after staying in the good graces of the judge. Aaron Daniel Morgan, 39, was facing at least a five-year stint in the Montana State Prison on one count of felony criminal endangerment. The prosecutor was arguing for another five years being suspended. Morga...


Lindquist sentenced for felony assault of a minor Lindquist sentenced for felony assault of a minor

POLSON — At District Court in Polson on Jan. 20, a St. Ignatius woman was committed to the Montana Department of Corrections for five years with none suspended on one count of felony assault on a minor. Kailee Marie Lindquist, 26, was given another five years DOC all suspended on felony partner or fami...


Ackerman sentenced for felony DUI

POLSON — A Missoula man was committed at District Court in Polson on Jan. 19 to the maximum five years with the Montana Department of Corrections for felony DUI. Buckleycole Randall Ackerman, 36, was convicted of felony DUI at a bench trial in 2021. A trial that Ackerman requested but failed to attend....


Eystad convicted of eighth DUI

POLSON — A Flathead Valley man was committed at District Court in Polson Jan. 6 to the Montana Department of Corrections for five years after being convicted of what records show is his eighth DUI conviction. Earl Dean Eystad, 55, was fined $5,000 and given credit for having already served 223 days ...


Locke sentenced for burglary

POLSON — A Bismark North Dakota man was committed at District Court in Polson on Jan. 13 to the Montana Department of Corrections for five years with all that time suspended on a burglary conviction. Justin Scott Locke, 30, was already convicted of burglary and theft charges in neighboring counties....


Hawkins sentenced to four years Hawkins sentenced to four years

POLSON — A Pablo man was sentenced at District Court in Polson Jan. 13 to four years with the Montana Department of Corrections with all that time suspended on a felony partner or family member conviction. Cory William Hawkins, 45, has two prior misdemeanor convictions, one involving the same victim. ...


Federal judge: At least two PSC districts are ‘presumptively unconstitutional’ Federal judge: At least two PSC districts are ‘presumptively unconstitutional’

News from Montana Free Press HELENA — A federal judge issued an order on Dec. 22 blocking the state’s top election official from certifying candidates running for the Public Service Commission until the constitutionality of the commission’s district map has been evaluated. The Publi...


Nichols sentenced to 10 years for violation of release conditions Nichols sentenced to 10 years for violation of release conditions

POLSON — An Elmo woman had a six-year deferred sentence for felony criminal endangerment revoked at District Court in Polson Dec. 16 and turned into a 10-year term in the Montana State Women’s prison for continued violations of her release conditions Rachel Rae Nichols, 50, was initially given...


Steele to face trial for criminal possession Steele to face trial for criminal possession

POLSON — A Pablo man is facing a jury trial in April for allegedly dealing drugs, namely heroin, in Lake County. John Emery Steele, 30, entered a plea of not guilty at District Court in Polson Dec. 16 to two counts of criminal possession with intent to distribute and three counts criminal possession...


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