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Lake County District Court news for Aug. 26, 2015

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Judge Deborah Kim Christopher dealt with the following cases Thursday, Aug. 13:

Sebastian Cray Henry, 23, Bigfork, pleaded not guilty to criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony. An omnibus hearing is set for Sept. 3 and a jury trial is set to start Dec. 7.

According to court documents, a Polson police officer and other officers with the Mission Mountain Drug Task Force searched Henry’s residence and found a marijuana grow operation, located in a separate shop at the same address, and seized more than 60 grams of dried marijuana, marijuana plants and hash oil plus drug paraphernalia.

Siobhan Elizabeth Uhde, 33, Polson, as part of a plea aggreement, pleaded guilty to criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony. The court found her guilty, and set sentencing for Oct. 22. 

According to court documents, on June 2 a Montana Highway Patrol Trooper located a stolen vehicle. Uhde was in the driver’s seat, and consented to have the trooper search the vehicle and purse. The trooper found a syringe, a bag with residue, and a Valium pill, for which she did not have a prescription. Uhde had no explanation why she had the vehicle, which did not belong to her.

Nick Elliott Burland, 28, Polson, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fourth or subsequent offense, a felony.

The court found Burland guilty and set sentencing for Oct. 22.

According to court records, on Feb. 20 an officer saw the vehicle Burland was driving run a stop sign and speed up to 34 mph in a 25 mph zone.

There was a strong odor of alcohol coming from Burland, and Burland blew a .118 blood alcohol concentration on the intoxilizer.

Lydia Rose Fisher, 53, Pablo, had her deferred sentence for criminal endangerment revoked. She was sentenced to the Department of Corrections for three years.

Judge Deborah Kim Christopher dealt with the following cases Thursday, Aug. 20:

Jacob Paul Ephriam Harteis, 25, homeless, was sentenced to DOC for 20 years with 15 suspended for felony arson.

According to court documents, Oct. 28, 2014, Harteis started a fire in his girlfriend’s home after arguing with her.

Edward Ward Stasso, 50, Polson, was sentenced to DOC for three years for felony criminal endangerment.

According to court documents, on March 26 a woman came to the courthouse to report an assault. She said Stasso had gotten jealous and kneed her in the groin several times and attempted to choke her.

Dennis Allen Weatherbee, 53, Ronan, pleaded not guilty to criminal distribution of dangerous drugs, a felony. An omnibus hearing is set for Sept. 3 and a jury trial is set to start Dec. 7.

According to court documents, on March 10, 2014, Mission Mountain Drug Task Force officers used a confidential informant to buy marijuana from Weatherbee in the parking lot of a Ronan bar.

The transaction was recorded visually and with sound.

Steven William Ely, 60, Pablo, pleaded not guilty to felony theft.

An omnibus hearing is set for Sept. 3 and a jury trial is set to start Dec. 7.

According to court documents, on Jan. 20 a woman reported her 2004 Chevy Impala, which she had just purchased for $5,000, was stolen from her driveway. She said Ely was staying at her house and she thinks he took it, because “he does this type of thing.” 

Ely allegedly took the car to an auto shop and tried to sell the car to the auto shop owner. The auto shop owner refused without a title, so Ely allegedly left the car there. When Ely returned in April and the owner still refused to purchase the car without a title, the auto shop owner called the Sheriff’s office to check out the car, which was the same car reported stolen in January.

Vidal Joseph Castillo, 32, Wapato, Washington, in a change of plea admitted committing partner or family member assault, a felony. The court found Castillo guilty and set sentencing for Oct. 22.

According to court documents, on Oct. 16, 2014, a woman jumped in front of a Polson Police officer’s car, screaming for help. She was crying, her face was bloody, and one of her teeth had been knocked out. She told the officer that Castillo had beaten her up. 

When interviewed from the hospital, the victim said Castillo, the father of their child, punched her several times in the face and head, and began kicking her in the back. She said she did not resist because she has learned to cooperate with him through the years.

His record showed four prior domestic violation convictions from Washington state.

Dawna M. Michel, 37, Ronan, had her suspended sentence for felony assault with a weapon revoked. She was sentenced to DOC for five years and recommended for Elkhorn Treatment Center.

According to court documents, in 2012 Michel struck another woman with her van.

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