Lake County District Court news for April 20, 2016
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Judge James A. Manley dealt with the following cases Wednesday, April 13:
Michael Josiah Alexander, 25, Polson, had his sentence for an amended charge of felony criminal endangerment deferred for three years. In addition, he must serve 30 days in Lake County Jail. He is credited for two days served. The court would not waive the jail sentence due to the seriousness of offense and Alexander’s “serious substance abuse issue.” Terms of his plea agreement were “significantly amended downward to his benefit,” Judge Manley said, explaining that the sentence gives Alexander the opportunity to rehabilitate himself “and prove he is taking this seriously.”
According to court documents, on Aug. 1, 2015, Alexander was found naked and intoxicated with a 13-year-old female.
David Jamison, unknown age and residence, had his sentence for felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs deferred for two years. Jamison, who is active in a motorcycle club, has been clean and sober, according to Jamison’s attorney.
“I’d like to clarify … we are a drug-free club … a family club where family comes first, then the club,” Jamison said prior to sentencing, adding that the club does many benefits for people in need throughout Montana and Washington.
According to court documents, during a search of a Polson residence on June 11, 2013, baggies of methamphetamine were found in the basement bedroom where Jamison was residing.
Emery John Smith II, 42, Ronan, at his sentencing hearing withdrew his guilty plea and opted to go to trial after Judge Manley said he would follow the terms of the plea agreement, but would also impose a restriction that Smith not be paroled for seven years.
The decision came after the victim testified at the sentencing hearing.
“What I want the court to know is he is a danger to women in our community. He is a model prisoner, but it’s when he is in the community that he is a danger to women,” the female victim said. “He needs to be supervised. He will kill the next woman he is with, I guarantee it.”
A felony kidnapping charge that would have been dismissed at sentencing will be reinstated due to Smith’s decision to continue to trial. An omnibus hearing is set for May 18 and a jury trial is set to start June 20.
According to court documents, on Aug. 10, 2015, Smith allegedly would not allow the victim to leave a residence by blocking the exits, punching, hitting and strangling her.
Angela Rachelle Guardipee, 28, Mount Vernon, Washington, pleaded guilty to felony theft per a plea agreement. The court found her guilty. Sentencing is set for May 18. She was released on her own recognizance until sentencing.
According to court documents, on April 29, 2015, Guardipee stole a vehicle from the Walmart parking lot in Polson. Then on May 8, 2015, the vehicle was stopped in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho. The driver said she had purchased the car in Ronan from Guardipee.
Nathan Mark Culver, 39, Kalispell, pleaded not guilty to felony theft. An omnibus hearing is set for June 29 and a jury trial set to start Aug. 1.
According to court documents, on Aug. 4, 2015, Culver allegedly was found using a vehicle in Polson that had been reported stolen June 9, 2015, from in front of a Missoula residence.
Summer Jean Odom, 25, Kalispell, pleaded guilty to an amended charge of forgery per a plea agreement. The court found her guilty. A count of felony theft may be dismissed at sentencing on May 18.
Odom admitted in court that on Nov. 17, 2015, on two occasions she wrote checks on the account of another person with a purpose to defraud.
According to court documents, one check was written to a Polson restaurant and the other she tried to pass at Walmart for goods totaling $2,429.34. Odem was with two other people at the restaurant and the store, but they left before police arrived.
Odem was released on her own recognizance on conditions she participate in everything necessary to get a pre-sentence report done, stay in contact with her attorney, obey all laws and enter the Ray of Hope drug-free facility.
“It’s very important how you handle the next 30 days,” Manley said.
Mary Denise Finley, 34, Polson, pleaded not guilty to criminal child endangerment. An omnibus hearing is set for June 29 and a jury trial is set to begin Aug. 1.
According to court documents, on Feb. 17 a Montana Highway Patrol trooper saw the vehicle Finley was driving hit a curb and not stop at a stop sign in Pablo. When she opened the car door, an open alcoholic beverage spilled out. She had signs of intoxication, and blew .089 on the preliminary breath test. Her two children, ages 2 and 7, were in the vehicle.
Mervin Ray Payne, unknown age/residence, pleaded not guilty to assault with a weapon, a felony. An omnibus hearing is set for Aug. 10 and a jury trial is set to begin Sept. 19.
According to court documents, on Sept. 8 Payne allegedly screamed at and aimed a .44 Magnum revolver at a partner or family member while the victim was driving southbound up Polson Hill on Highway 93. Payne was in a separate vehicle and allegedly pulled alongside the victim’s vehicle in the passing lane, then yelled and pointed the gun at the victim.
Nicole A. Giles, 26, Ronan, pleaded not guilty to tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, a felony. An omnibus hearing is set for June 8 and a jury trial is set to begin July 18.
According to court documents, on Oct. 6, 2015, Giles was an occupant in a car that was involved in a wreck on Crow Dam Reservoir Road. A witness saw her dump out the contents of a bottle of alcohol that had been in the car that the occupants may have been consuming.
Julian M. Draper, 28, Polson, pleaded not guilty to criminal child endangerment, a felony. An omnibus hearing is set for June 29 and a jury trial is set to begin Aug. 1.
According to court documents, on Feb. 26 Draper allegedly was driving intoxicated in the Turtle Lake area of Polson with three children under the age of 14 in the vehicle.
Brandon Joseph Jeppesen, 31, Polson, pleaded not guilty to aggravated assault, a felony; robbery, a felony; and intimidation, a felony. An omnibus hearing is set for July 13 and a jury trial is set to start Aug. 29. Jeppesen is currently incarcerated with the Department of Corrections on another conviction.
According to court documents, in January in Lake County Jail, Jeppesen attempted to make another inmate ask for medication the inmate didn’t need so Jeppesen and two other inmates could crush the pill and snort it. When the inmate intentionally got caught, Jeppesen allegedly knocked the inmate down and hit him. Later, Jeppesen allegedly chocked the inmate to near unconsciousness, causing bruising to the inmate’s neck and the inability for the inmate to eat for several days. Jeppesen allegedly told the inmate that if he told the guard what he was doing, he would kill him when he got out of jail or have someone get him from another cell block if the inmate was moved.
Samantha Elizabeth Kelly, 23, Kalispell, pleaded not guilty to burglary, a felony. An omnibus hearing is set for July 13 and a jury trial is set to begin Aug. 29. She was released on her own recognizance.
According to court documents, Kelly allegedly took numerous personal items from a residence, office and garage in Ferndale.
Arley John Grandchamp, 25, Polson, pleaded not guilty to criminal child endangerment. An omnibus hearing is set for July 13 and a jury trial is set to begin Aug. 29.
According to court documents, on March 29 Grandchamp allegedly was driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .209 while his 3-year-old son was in the vehicle. Grandchamp hit another car while turning east onto Light Road from Highway 93 in Pablo. He did not stop, but continued to his destination in Pablo.
Melissa Assiniboine, 31, St. Ignatius, came to court to request a reduction in bond, which is set at $50,000 on two charges, because she does not have resources to pay and her father is not in good health. Her attorney on her behalf requested an OR release with a drug patch. The state argued that she needs to be in jail, it’s not good environment for her at home where there are other family members on probation; she fought with law enforcement when previously released, and the probation officer feels she’s not fit to be released to community.
“I will make the final decision,” Judge Manley said. “You will remain in jail.”
Stein Erick Anderson, 31, Polson, had his bond reduced and was released on his own recognizance, and must be in court for an omnibus hearing May 4 on his criminal child endangerment charge.
Brett William Reum, 27, Polson, in a change of plea admitted that on Jan 7, 2014 he was in possession of methamphetamine in Lake County. The court found him guilty of criminal possession of dangerous drugs, and sentencing is set for June 8.
Reum was released to be transferred to Miles City to begin a seven-to-nine month treatment program.
Keith Michael Conway, 34, Arlee, in a change of plea entered an Alford plea to an amended offense of felony criminal endangerment. The court found Conway guilty and set sentencing for Aug. 24.
According to court documents, in August 2014 Conway was accused of having sexual relations with a woman without her consent. He denied the allegations.
Justin Dennis Nichols, 35, Desmet, Idaho, in a change of plea pleaded guilty to forgery, a felony. The court found Nichols guilty and set sentencing for June 8. A second charge is expected to be dismissed at sentencing.
According to court documents, Nichols forged numerous Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe checks totaling more than $17,000.
Robin Earlaine Lamar, 47, Ronan, in a change of plea pleaded guilty to criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony. The court found Lamar guilty and set sentencing for June 8.
According to court documents, on June 3, 2013, a search was conducted at Lamar’s Ronan residence and two pipes containing methamphetamine residue were found in the home.
Kristin Giles, 37, Ronan, in a change of plea pleaded guilty to criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony. The court found Giles guilty and set sentencing for June 8.
According to court documents, on June 3, 2013, a search was conducted at Giles’ Ronan residence and two pipes containing methamphetamine residue were found in the home.
Shawn Michael Cooper, 32, Polson, in a change of plea admitted committing criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony; criminal trespass to property, a misdemeanor; burglary, a felony; and theft, a felony. The court found Cooper guilty to all counts, and set sentencing for June 8. A second count of burglary may be dismissed per the plea agreement at sentencing.
According to court documents, in 2015 Cooper was involved in several thefts from Polson residences. When arrested on Aug. 8, a scale containing meth residue was found in Cooper’s jacket.
Elijah Cole Burdeau, 19, Missoula, for violating conditions of probation by using drugs had his deferred sentence for felony burglary revoked. He was sentenced to the Department of Corrections for three years.
Duane Dennis Matt, 55, St. Ignatius, pleaded not guilty to criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony. Date for an omnibus hearing and jury trial were not set at the arraignment.
According to court documents, on Feb. 10 a tribal officer observed a vehicle traveling south on Highway 93 in the oncoming lane of traffic, unsafely passing vehicles in a no-passing zone and nearly causing a head-on collision. When stopped, Matt smelled of an alcoholic beverage and admitted to drinking beer. Matt’s license was suspended, he had no insurance, and was on felony probation. Dispatch advised that Matt has eight prior DUI convictions and an arrest warrant for violating probation. When Matt’s probation officer requested a search of his vehicle, a baggie of meth and a snort tube were found in a buckskin bag hanging from the rearview mirror. Also found in the vehicle were a used meth pipe, a pill bottle that smelled of marijuana, two empty cans of Mike’s Hard Lemonade and a marijuana pipe.
Felicite McDonald, 33, Arlee, in a change of plea admitted she committed criminal mischief, a felony. The court found her guilty and set sentencing for June 8. A count of arson was dismissed.
According to court documents, on Nov. 11, 2015, McDonald used a hammer to break basement windows on an Arlee residence and windows on a recreational vehicle parked at the residence.
Judge Deborah Kim Christopher dealt with the following cases Thursday, April 14:
Colby Ford Wolfenden, 29, Dayton, had his felony criminal endangerment sentence deferred for three years.
According to court documents, on May 8, 2015, Wolfenden was driving with a BAC of .130 when he overcorrected and rolled his vehicle. He has three prior DUI convictions.
Jeffrey James Cates-Weaselhead, 33, St. Ignatius, was sentenced to the DOC for five years with two years suspended for felony criminal endangerment. He was credited for 14 days served. Three additional counts were dismissed.
According to court documents, on Sept. 16, 2015 Cates-Weaselhead was driving above the speed limit through Ronan streets and beyond while an officer was in pursuit.
Anglie Quequesah, 40, Pablo, was sentenced to the DOC for 13 months to be placed in a treatment program, with three years suspended, for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fourth or subsequent offense, a felony.
According to court documents, on Sept. 18, 2015, Quequesah was driving through Pablo with a BAC of .114. She had three prior DUI convictions.
Marko Lee Trombley, 27, Polson, changed his plea, per a plea agreement, to guilty of criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony; and guilty to partner/family member assault, third or subsequent offense, a felony. The court found Trombley guilty of both counts and set sentencing for May 26. A count of bail jumping and two other counts are expected to be dismissed at sentencing, per the plea agreement.
According to court documents, on Nov. 2 meth was found in a bag belonging to Trombley, who had recent injection marks on his arms.
Then on Dec. 13, 2015, Trombley hit his girlfriend multiple times in the face and head and kicked her in the chest. He was also charged with bail jumping when he was released from jail to be transported to a treatment facility, but ran away instead.
Steven William Ely, 60, Pablo, in a change of plea pleaded guilty to criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony. The court found him guilty and set sentencing for May 26.
According to court documents, on April 12 Ely was stopped for a traffic violation and meth was found in the vehicle.
Zachary John Nentwig, 38, Arlee, in a change of plea pleaded guilty to criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony. The court found him guilty and set sentencing for May 26.
According to court documents, on Dec. 17, 2014 in St. Ignatius Nentwig’s vehicle was stopped for having tinted windows that were too dark. Methamphetamine was found in the vehicle.
Crystal Lynn Waugh, 27, Kalispell, in a change of plea pleaded guilty to criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony. The court found her guilty and set sentencing for June 16. She was released on her own recognizance.
According to court records, on Dec. 11, 2015, Waugh had been injecting meth behind a Polson business, and handed the officer a syringe that contained meth.
Brian Gifford, 24, Ronan, had his deferred sentence for felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs revoked for violating conditions of probation. He was sentenced to the DOC for three years and credited for 24 days served.
Jerome T. Quequesah, 34, Ronan, admitted violating conditions of probation and parole, and the court set sentencing for May 5. He was released on his own recognizance until sentencing.
Danielle Leigh Sanford, age and residence unavailable, in a change of plea admitted being in possession of methamphetamine on Jan. 10, 2014. The court found her guilty of criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony. A second count was dismissed. Sentencing is set for May 26. (It was determined Sanford was not competent to enter her plea when she appeared in court on April 7.)
