Lake County District Court news for June 15, 2016
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Judge James A. Manley dealt with the following cases Wednesday, June 8:
Matthew Day, 39, Polson, had his sentence on revocation deferred for an additional three years and credited for 21 days served. Day has been accepted into a treatment program.
Michael Lee Berger, 53, Columbia Falls, had his misdemeanor driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs charge dismissed per a plea agreement, and had his felony criminal endangerment sentence deferred three years. Berger is equipped with a SCRAM bracelet from another matter in Hot Springs City Court.
Joseph William Stevens, 27, Polson, pleaded not guilty to criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony. An omnibus hearing is set for Oct. 5 and a jury trial is set to start Nov. 14. Stevens was released on his own recognizance.
According to court documents, On Jan. 1, 2015, three straws and a baggie with meth residue was found on his person when he was booked into tribal jail for partner family member assault.
Michael Spotted Blanket, 29, Polson, pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fourth or subsequent offense, a felony. An omnibus hearing is set for Oct. 5 and a jury trial is set to start Nov. 14.
According to court documents, on May 16 Spotted Blanket was found slumped over in the driver’s seat of a running vehicle, allegedly admitting later that he was drunk. His blood was drawn at a hospital and sent to the Montana crime lab for testing. Spotted Blanket has three prior DUI convictions.
Lois Ann Friedlander, 55, Dayton, had her tampering with witness charges dismissed without prejudice.
Shanita Mae Wall, 29, Ronan, in a change of plea admitted that on Feb. 19, 2016 in Lake County she possessed methamphetamine. The court found her guilty of criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony. and set sentencing for Aug. 3.
Melissa Chantel Heavner, 21, Missoula, had her sentence for felony possession of dangerous drugs charge revoked due to violating conditions of probation and parole. The court found her guilty and her sentence was deferred for three years.
Meggan Rochelle Fisher, 30, Ronan, in a change of plea admitted she was in possession of methamphetamine March 7, 2015 in Lake County. The court found her guilty of criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony, and set a status conference for June 15 and sentencing for July 20.
Faith Laurisa Matt, 29, St. Ignatius, in a change of plea admitted that on July 4, 2014, she was in possession of meth while in Lake County. The court found her guilty of criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony, and set sentencing for Aug. 3.
Jason Albert Courville, 39, Pablo, in a change of plea admitted that on Aug. 23, 2015, he was driving while intoxicated on public roads in Lake County. The court found him guilty of driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fourth or subsequent offense, a felony. Sentencing is set for Aug. 3.
Michael Anthony Assiniboine Jr., 28, St. Ignatius, in a change of plea admitted to two counts of felony theft stemming from July 23, 2015 and Dec. 29, 2015 incidents that occurred in St. Ignatius. One count each of criminal possession of dangerous drugs, burglary and bail jumping, all felonies, were all per the plea agreement. Sentencing is set for Aug. 10.
Elisha Matthew Webb, 26, Ronan, in a change of plea admitted he was in possession of meth on Feb. 12 in Lake County. The court found him guilty of criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony, and set sentencing for Aug. 10.
Jessi Rachelle Qualtier, 34, Ronan, in a change of plea admitted to committing an amended offense of partner or family member assault, first offense, a misdemeanor. She was sentenced to Lake County Jail for one year, all suspended except one day, which was credited for already having been served.
Julian M. Draper, 28, Polson, in a change of plea admitted he was driving while intoxicated in Lake County Feb. 26. The court found him guilty of an amended offense of driving under the influence of alcohol, first offense, a misdemeanor. Draper was sentenced to Lake County Jail for one year, all suspended except for 48 already served. He was credited for his time served.
Michael Andrew Buck, 47, Ronan, had his five-year suspended sentence for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs revoked. The court sentenced him to Montana State Prison for five years. He was credited for time served
Judge Deborah Kim Christopher dealt with the following cases Thursday, June 9:
Louie Bob Mitchell, 33, Arlee, pleaded not guilty to burglary and assault with a weapon, both felonies. An omnibus hearing is set for July 14 and a jury trial is set for Sept. 12.
According to court documents, on March 11 while intoxicated on alcohol and meth Mitchell allegedly struck a woman multiple times with a curtain rod causing bruising on her arms, legs and face. He allegedly told the woman he would kill her and her child if she reported the incident. In July 2015 he allegedly broke into his ex-girlfriend’s home and damaged the house while removing items he claimed were his.
Christopher James Bays, 30, pleaded not guilty to burglary, a felony. An omnibus hearing is set for July 14 and a jury trial is set for Sept. 12.
According to court documents, around December 2014 Bays allegedly broke into a trailer house in Elmo and took guns, a bow, and 250 movies
Adair Rene Big Beaver pleaded not guilty to criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony. An omnibus hearing is set for July 14 and a jury trial is set for Sept. 12.
According to court documents, on July 4, 2014, criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony. An omnibus hearing is set for July 14 and a jury trial is set for Sept. 12. According to court documents, on April 24 Joseph allegedly threw three used syringes into a Polson yard. Residue in the syringes tested positive for meth.
Zachary Gregg Funke, 33, Polson, on amended information pleaded not guilty to partner family member assault, a felony; driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, third offense, a misdemeanor; and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fourth or subsequent offense, a felony. An omnibus hearing is set for July 14 and a jury trial is set for Sept. 26.
According to court documents, on July 10, 2015, Funke allegedly punched a female in the chest before she returned a set of keys to him, then drove off while his blood alcohol concentration was .184. Then on April 2, 2016, Funke was allegedly found asleep in the driver’s seat of a vehicle that was reported stolen. He blew a .165 BAC.
Mateel Wyn Muth, 19, Polson, pleaded not guilty to three counts of criminal possession of dangerous drugs with intent to distribute, all felonies. An omnibus hearing is set for July 14 and a jury trial is set for Sept. 12.
According to court documents, on May 16 during a probation home visit of a male. Muth was in the home, and allegedly had 8 ounces of methamphetamine in her purse. A safe in the residence contained 12 ounces of cocaine and 12 grams of heroine. In an interview with law enforcement, Muth allegedly said the male had told her to sell the drugs, and she had already sold some of the meth.
Shelly Rose Felsman, 27, Charlo, in a change of plea admitted that on Jan. 6, 2014, she stole some beer from Town Pump in Ronan. The court found her guilty of a reduced charge of misdemeanor theft. Felsman was sentenced to Lake County Jail for six months, all suspended, except time already served, and credited for that time. She was also ordered to not be in Ronan Town Pump at any time during the course of sentence, and she could be arrested if she is.
Alan James Prindel, 36, Pablo, in a change of plea admitted that on Aug. 6 he took property from a Pablo grocery store. On April 30, 2015, he also possessed methamphetamine in Lake County. The court found Prindel guilty of a misdemeanor charge of theft, and a felony charge of criminal possession of dangerous drugs. Sentencing is set for July 28. He was released on his own recognizance. “Don’t get yourself in any hot water between now and then,” Judge Christopher warned Prindel.
Sierra Steele, 21, Pablo, pleaded not guilty to assault with a weapon, a felony, and assault, a misdemeanor. An omnibus hearing is set for July 14 and a jury trial is set for Sept. 12.
According to court documents, on June 23 Steele allegedly went to the home of another woman in Pablo around 9 p.m. and pulled her hair, causing pain. Steele allegedly returned around 1 a.m. and bit the woman on the arm, cut her hand with a knife and hit her on the head with a steel pipe. The victim was taken to the hospital emergency room for treatment of her injuries.
Jacob Michael Mitchell, 36, Polson, was committed to the Department of Corrections for five years, none suspended, for criminal possession of dangerous drugs. Three other counts were dismissed per a plea agreement, and Mitchell was credited for time served.
