Lake County District Court news for July 13, 2016
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Judge James A. Manley sentenced the following individuals Wednesday, July 6:
Katreena Rae Morigeau, 28, Ronan, was sentenced to the Department of Corrections for five years, all suspended, and credited for 44 days served, for criminal possession for dangerous drugs, a felony. The sentence is consistent with the plea agreement and judgment as modified, provides for potential punishment and acknowledges “responsible steps taken since charged,” Judge Manley said.
According to court documents, Morigeau had three small baggies of methamphetamine in her purse on March 18, 2015.
Robin Earlaine Lamar, 47, Ronan, was sentenced to the Department of Corrections for three years, all suspended, on conditions as amended. She was credited for two days already served. “Because I am familiar with the … case and extensive efforts made for rehabilitation, this gives the defendant credit for those responsible steps taken,” Manley said. Lamar has been participating in a treatment program, although she “has a very extensive criminal record,” according to Manley. “Because of those (steps taken) you are being given a real break. I hope you appreciate that,” Manley told Lamar.
According to court documents, on June 3, 2013 while tribal officers executed a search warrant, two pipes with meth residue were found wrapped in a bandana on the coffee table of Lamar’s home, which she shared with Kristin Giles.
Kristin Michelle Giles, 38, Ronan, was sentenced to two years in DOC, all suspended, for criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony. The sentence is consistent with the amended plea agreement, considers past criminal history, provides for potential punishment and acknowledges the positive efforts taken since the case was filed, Manley explained. “I know the efforts that you have made,” Manley told Giles, who replied that she has jumped through lots of hoops. “And that is appreciated because in the long run this will be better for you and the community — for all of us.”
According to court documents, on June 3, 2013 while tribal officers executed a search warrant, two pipes with meth residue were found wrapped in a bandana on the coffee table of Giles’s home, which she shared with Robin Lamar.
Jesse Josey Wells, 54, Heart Butte, had his sentence for criminal possession of dangerous drugs with intent to distribute deferred for three years. The sentence is consistent with plea agreement, was Wells’ first felony, allows for potential punishment if conditions are not met, and acknowledges positive steps Wells has taken since he was charged. Wells has obtained a chemical dependency evaluation. “I appreciate and give you credit, sir, for the positive work you have done,” Judge Manley told Wells. “Good luck.”
Duane Dennis Matt, 55, St. Ignatius, had his suspended sentence for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol revoked after admitting he violated conditions of probation. He was sentenced to Montana State Prison for 10 years, with none suspended, and will be screened for appropriate healthcare as necessary. A current charge was dismissed. Matt has at least eight DUI convictions.
Judge Deborah Kim Christopher sentenced the following individuals Thursday, July 7:
Daniele Leigh Sanford, 42, Ronan, had her sentence for criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony, deferred for two years and she was credited for 15 days already served. The sentence conforms to the plea agreement, provides punishment and provides treatment for Sanford.
According to court documents, in January 2014 Sanford sold drugs to a confidential informant. The sale was observed and recorded by the Northwest Drug Task Force.
David William Parnell, 35, Ronan, had his sentence for criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony, deferred for three years on conditions set forth in plea agreement and conditions recommended by probation and parole. He was credited for 87 days already served. “This provides treatment and an opportunity for restitution or punishment, depending on the choices you make,” Judge Christopher told Parnell at sentencing. “I hope you make the good ones.”
According to court documents, on July 26, 2015 in Pablo, Parnell had two broken meth pipes in his possession.
Thurston Leslie James, 48, Polson, had his sentence for criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony, deferred for two years and he was credited for 32 days already served in jail. “You don’t want to find yourself back here,” Christopher said to James.
According to court documents, James paid for gasoline in Polson with two $10 bills on Jan. 6. The clerk noticed a baggie of meth stuck between the bills and called law enforcement. Although James initially denied knowledge of the meth, he changed his plea to guilty on April 28.
Kimberly L. Joseph, 44, Ronan, was sentenced to the Department of Corrections for five years, none suspended. Although the plea agreement called for five years with two years suspended, Judge Christopher rejected the agreement. “The Court’s concerns are (that) this is her second felony DUI, and eighth DUI in the course of the last 26 years … She even had passengers in her car,” Judge Christopher said. Joseph’s probation officer had serious concerns with the suggested sentence as well, and recommended that Joseph serve five years at Montana Women’s Prison. When Joseph was questioned and given the option of removing her guilty plea and going to trial, or face a possible five-year sentence in Montana Women’s Prison, she chose prison. Judge Christopher rewarded Joseph’s response as
“willingness to take responsibility,” and “obvious remorse,” and then pronounced a five-year, none-suspended sentence at the Department of Corrections, which creates an opportunity for a conditional or early release if Joseph earns it and gets treatment. “This has obviously been a difficult devil to beat for you,” Judge Christopher said. “You have suffered enough family loss; I don’t want to add to that. This will give you the opportunity to work your way out of hole you’ve created for yourself and get the treatment you need.”
According to court documents, on Feb. 22, Joseph was driving on Hillcrest Drive in Polson while intoxicated. Her driving record showed at least four prior DUI convictions.
Dean Ray Combs, 60, Bigfork, was sentenced to Lake County Jail for six months, all suspended for privacy in communications, a misdemeanor. He was also sentenced to Lake County Jail for six months, all suspended, for violating an order of protection, a misdemeanor. In addition, Combs was sentenced to Montana State Prison for five
years with none suspended, for felony stalking. He was credited for 261 days already served. All sentences are to run concurrently. Two additional cases were dismissed. The sentence takes into consideration the circumstances of “this particular event, provides protection for people concerned for their safety — one case could not be supported, the other was dismissed — and provides treatment for rehabilitation,” Judge Christopher said.
According to court documents, on May 17, 2015, Combs sent numerous text messages to a woman who had obtained a restraining order against him on March 4, 2015.
