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Lake County District Court news for July 20, 2016

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Judge James A. Manley sentenced the following individuals Wednesday, July 13:

Gage Daniel Stroop, 21, Missoula, had his sentence for criminal possession of dangerous drugs deferred for two years on conditions he follow all conditions imposed.

Judge Manley warned Stroop that if he fails this, Stroop would have to come back and face a longer sentence. Reasons for the deferred sentence include Stroop’s lack of a serious past criminal record and it gives Stroop an opportunity for rehabilitation.

According to court documents, on June 23, 2014, marijuana was found in Stroop’s possession during a traffic stop. The car was impounded and two days later, while searching the vehicle with a warrant, methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and a scale were found in the vehicle.

Joshua Lefthand, 41, Ronan, was sentenced to the Department of Corrections for five years, none suspended, and credited for 47 days served, on a revocation. A charge of criminal possession of dangerous drugs was dismissed. Lefthand is to be screened for the NEXUS and Treasure State programs.

According to court documents, Lefthand got his fourth DUI in 1995, which resulted in the death of the driver of the second car, and continued to have three more felony DUIs after that. In 2008 Lefthand was sentenced to Montana State Prison for 16 years with 11 suspended as a persistent felony offender, convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. After completing treatment and serving time, Lefthand was paroled in 2012, but the suspended portion was subsequently revoked for violations, citing use of marijuana and meth and driving.

Lefthand’s probation officer recommended he be sentenced to the Department of Corrections for 11 years with six suspended.

“He takes no accountability for his bad choices and refuses to admit or acknowledge his drug use and addiction,” the officer wrote in a report of violation dated June 30.

During Lefthand’s July 6 sentencing hearing, which was continued until July 13, the mother of the victim spoke on the witness stand.

“My kids went to school with him, and 21 years ago in October my son died as a result of an accident that Josh was tried for his fourth DUI, in the accident that killed my son,” Kathleen Shore said.

Lefthand was not convicted of manslaughter in the incident that occurred on Oct. 13, 1995 — a Friday the 13th, Shore noted.

“I would like to see him never get behind the wheel again,” Shore said. “I know he needs help … I don’t see any real remorse.”

At the July 13 sentencing, James Lapotka supported an 11-year sentence and argued that because Lefthand has failed over and over again, the court should not give him the benefit of doubt anymore. He also noted Lefthand was recently arrested for driving while under the influence of methamphetamine.

Judge Manley noted that Lefthand has not engaged in drinking and driving for the past eight to 10 years, but acknowledged Lefthand’s apparent drug addiction.

“His crime since then has been drug use, drug addiction, for whom he is the ultimate victim,” Manley said.

The sentence, Manley explained, offers Lefthand the opportunity to rehabilitate himself and gain job skills.

Judge Deborah Kim Christopher sentenced the following individuals Thursday, July 14:

Patrick William Runsabove, 35, Ronan, in a change of plea admitted to engaging in disorderly conduct at a Ronan gas station in April.

The court found him guilty of an amended disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor.

Judge Christopher noted the sentence was “a significantly less offense” but was based on the recommendation of probation, the defense, and what the victim wanted.

The defense attorney noted this was “unorthodox” because the victim asked the case be resolved this way, stating it was just one setback and Runsabove had been doing “very, very, very well on probation.”

While Judge Christopher pronounced the recommended sentence, she noted that verbal threats are no less serious, and sometimes worse because “you don’t have something to show somebody.”

She added stern words for Runsabove.

“The bottom line is you are a big guy,” she said. “Don’t make yourself a threat to people who are smaller than you. Don’t put yourself back into this situation. If she says ‘go,’ you leave immediately and you don’t go back until the victim and probation office agree this is appropriate.”

According to court documents, Runsabove repeatedly threatened the female victim with bodily injury at a gas station in Ronan on April 25. Because he physically assaulted her in the past, she was afraid he would follow through with his threats. Runsabove is a registered violent offender who was convicted of partner/family member assault in 2012.

Kenneth Arcand, 52, Great Falls, had his 2012 suspended sentence for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fourth offense, a felony, revoked. Arcand was sentenced to the DOC for three years.

Jazmin J. Auld, 22, Elmo, had her 2013 deferred sentence for criminal possession of dangerous drugs revoked. She was sentenced to the DOC for five years, with none suspended. A March 13 report of violation states that she tested positive for marijuana, and was also arrested March 11 and charged with criminal possession of dangerous drugs with intent to distribute.

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