Lake County District Court news for June 24, 2015
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Judge James A. Manley dealt with the following cases Wednesday, June 17:
Matthew G. Manyhides, 27, Polson, pleaded not guilty to criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, a felony. An omnibus hearing is set for July 29; a jury trial is set to start Sept. 14.
According to court documents, Manyhides was arrested Feb. 6 on outstanding warrants and a pipe with methamphetamine residue was found in his backpack. Because there wasn’t room in the jail, Manyhides was released. He did not appear for his Feb. 18 justice court date. Documents state that at that time, he was being held in Tribal Jail on unrelated charges and under investigation for possession of methamphetamine.
Then, about 8:19 a.m. on June 4, a Montana Highway Patrol trooper responded to a vehicle in a ditch. The driver was Manyhides, and the trooper observed the smell of alcohol and a 40-ounce bottle of malt liquor on the rear floorboard. There was also an intoxicated, underage female in the car. Manyhides said he had consumed two 40-ounce bottles of malt liquor, a pint of whiskey, and a Mike’s Hard Lemonade. He also stated he was celebrating because he had learned the Tribal Police were understaffed.
His driving record showed three prior DUI convictions.
Larry C. Robinson, 64, Arlee, pleaded not guilty to criminal possession of dangerous drugs with intent to distribute, a felony. An omnibus hearing is set for Sept. 16 and a jury trial is set to start Dec. 14.
According to court documents, when a Lake County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a violation of an order of protection, the suspected male was smoking a marijuana cigarette, which he said he got from Robinson. Robinson possesses a Montana medical marijuana card and is allowed to possess up to four mature plants and 12 seedlings.
Law enforcement seized 29 mature marijuana plants and 45 marijuana seedlings from Robinson’s backyard shed, and a bag of marijuana plant material. Robinson stated he provides marijuana to his friends.
Cedric Jaylin Russell, 23, Ronan, pleaded not guilty to criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony. An omnibus hearing is set for July 29; a jury trial is set to start Sept. 14.
According to court documents, on Nov. 11, 2014, Russell was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by an MHP trooper. The driver was on felony probation and consented to a search of her vehicle. Russell consented to a search of his wallet, where officers found a small baggie of methamphetamine.
Sarah Ruth Wahl, 39, Arlee, pleaded not guilty to criminal possession of dangerous drugs, felony. An omnibus hearing is set for July 29; a jury trial is set to begin Sept. 14.
According to court documents, on April 5, an MHP trooper stopped a vehicle for expired registration. Zorro, the K-9 officer, alerted on the vehicle driven by Wahl. Wahl had a probation warrant for her arrest, and the trooper found methamphetamine, marijuana and several items of drug paraphernalia in her vehicle. On April 7, Wahl signed a voluntary statement saying she tested positive of meth, had smoked meth April 4, and had not been reporting to her probation officer.
Frank Hayes, 41, Kalispell, in a change of plea admitted committing the offense of partner or family member assault, third offense, a felony. The court found Hayes guilty and set sentencing for July 29.
According to court documents, on Aug. 24, 2014, Hayes got in a verbal argument with his girlfriend and pushed her head into a doorway before he exited the residence.
Judge Deborah Kim Christopher dealt with the following cases Thursday, June 18:
Desmond Alan Mackay, 36, Polson, had his plea agreement rejected by the court. A jury trial is set to begin Sept. 28.
Jeffrey Charles Miller, 28, Polson, pleaded not guilty to felony theft. An omnibus hearing is set for Aug. 20 and a jury trial is set to begin Nov. 9.
According to court documents, on July 19, 2013, Miller allegedly was irate and screaming as he tried to smash his Volvo into his wife’s vehicle in a commercial parking lot in Polson. When a Lake County deputy arrived, Miller sped off, but the deputy was able to pull Miller over. Miller was aggressive and threatening to the deputy, balling his fists and telling the deputy to “step the f—- back, dawg.” Miller was arrested for disorderly conduct, driving while license is suspended or revoked, and failure to have insurance. Four baggies of methamphetamine were found in Miller’s pockets.
Dean Ray Combs, 59, Bigfork, pleaded guilty to privacy in communications, a misdemeanor; stalking, second offense, a felony; and violation of an order of protection, second offense, a misdemeanor. Sentencing is set for July 23.
According to court documents, on May 17 Combs sent several text messages to a victim who Combs is to have no communication with because a restraining order is filed against him. After the victim warned him to stop or he would be arrested, Combs sent five more messages with indecent comments.
Roland James Brown, 37, Ronan, pleaded not guilty to criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony, and assault with a weapon, a felony. An omnibus hearing is set for Aug. 20; a jury trial is set to start Nov. 9.
According to court documents, on Dec. 23, 2014, a deputy responded to a report of kidnapping in Arlee and found Brown lying in the snow and was arrested on an unrelated matter. In jail, detention officers found a small plastic baggie of methamphetamine.
Then on May 26 in a grocery store parking lot, Brown allegedly pulled a Derringer pocket pistol from his sweatshirt and threatened to kill another male.
Lawrance James Stevens, 35, St. Ignatius, admitted violating conditions of probation and parole and had his suspended sentence for felony DUI revoked. The court found Stevens guilty and sentenced him to the Department of Corrections for two years. The court would like Stevens screened for placement Connections Corrections, a chemical dependency program in Butte.
