Lake County District Court news for Oct. 30, 2013
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Judge Deborah Kim Christopher dealt with the following cases Oct. 17:
Jeremiah James Mitchell, 22, St. Ignatius, pleaded guilty to criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony, and guilty to burglary, a felony. The court accepted the plea and found Mitchell guilty. Sentencing is set for Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 9 a.m.
Wayne Grant Twoteeth, 45, Pablo, in a change of plea admitted committing the offense of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fourth or subsequent offense, a felony. The court accepted the plea and found him guilty. Sentencing is set for Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 9 a.m.
According to court documents, charges stem from a July 13 incident where a Montana State Trooper, while fueling his patrol vehicle, was told by a gas station patron that a car had nearly collided with her and the driver appeared drunk. When the driver exited the station and drove off in the car indicated by the patron, the trooper pulled the driver, Twoteeth, over. Twoteeth opened his car door and fled on foot behind into an alley behind the gas station. Twoteeth was apprehended in the alley, and told the trooper he consumed two drinks, and had 17 prior DUIs. Twoteeth refused all sobriety tests, but slept through a blood test after the trooper obtained a warrant for a sample. Twoteeth’s driving record revealed nine prior DUI convictions.
Tara Little Light, 36, St. Ignatius, was sentenced to 10 years in the Department of Corrections with five suspended and credit for time served. The sentencing was in response to a petition to revoke her 2011 deferred sentence for an amended offense of criminal endangerment, a felony.
According to court documents, charges stem from a February 2011 incident where Little Light was arrested for driving intoxicated. Her driving record at the time showed four prior DUI convictions.
Earl Matt, Jr., 56, Polson, was sentenced to the Department of Corrections for 13 months for driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fourth or subsequent offense. Matt Jr. was also sentenced to the DOC for three years, all suspended. If he successfully completes an alcoholic treatment program, he must serve the remainder of his 13 months on probation.
According to court documents, charges stem from a 2012 incident where Matt Jr. was pulled over on Highway 93 in Ronan for driving all over the road and tailgating. A blood draw revealed his blood alcohol concentration was .17. A review of CSKT court files showed he had four prior DUI convictions.
Ashley Sorrells, 27, Ronan, was sentenced to the Department of Corrections for 20 years with 15 suspended for vehicular manslaughter under the influence, a felony.
According to court documents, charges stem from a September 2012 incident where a Highway Patrol Trooper responded to a report of a two-vehicle fatal wreck near Arlee. Sorrells rear-ended a Nissan, causing it to roll into a ditch, pinning the victim underneath.
Gavin Gardipee, in a change of plea, admitted committing the offense of accountability (burglary) a felony, and theft, a misdemeanor. In addition, Gardipee admitted committing assault, a misdemeanor and an amended offense of theft, a misdemeanor. Sentencing is set for Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 9 a.m.
According to court documents, charges stem from three separate incidences. On April 12, a Ronan resident reported items stolen from her home totaling $2,352 plus a box of checks and her passport. Some of the items were later found in Gardipee’s possession.
On Aug. 12, a Lake County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a 911 call. The caller reported that his Ford pickup truck was stolen in front of a gas station in Ronan while he was in the store. When the truck was found in Missoula, a baseball cap helped identify the thief as Gardipee. Then on Aug. 13, a Ronan Police officer responded to a report of back window being broken out of a car. A female said she watched Gardipee throw three cement cinder blocks through the back window of her vehicle. A male was in the back seat of the car when the incident occurred, and he confirmed that it was Gardipee who through the cinder blocks, which were now on the seat and floor of the backseat.
George Coffey, Dixon Agency, in a change of plea pleaded no contest and admitted committing the offense of criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony. Sentencing is set for Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 1:30 p.m.
According to court documents, charges stem from an April 4 incident where Coffey was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped by law enforcement on Highway 93. Coffey was arrested for an outstanding warrant on an unrelated matter. When the officer searched Coffey, he found a baggie of methamphetamine.
Vincent Louis Burrafato, 38, Pablo, pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fourth or subsequent offense. An omnibus hearing is set for Wednesday, Nov. 27 at 1:30 p.m. and a jury trial is set to begin Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014 at 9 a.m.
According to court documents, charges stem from an Oct. 1 incident where a police officer found a Jeep running but not moving at the intersection of Skyline Drive and Caffery Road about 2:17 a.m. Burrafato was found slumped over in the driver’s seat. He appeared to be having a medical issue, so the officer reached inside an tried to awaken Burrafato. When Burrafato awoke, he grabbed the wheel and stepped on the gas pedal, but the vehicle was either in park or neutral and did not move. After turning off the vehicle, Burrafato was asked to step out. He had difficulty standing and said through slurred speech that he was on some pills.
His driving record showed three prior DUI convictions. When Burrafato was placed in the patrol car, he kicked at the windows.
Lorena Ann Couture, 43, Polson, pleaded not guilty to criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony. An omnibus hearing is set for Wednesday, Nov. 27 at 1:30 p.m. and a jury trial is set to begin Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014.
According to court documents, charges stem from a November 2012 incident where Couture was arrested on an outstanding warrant. After obtaining consent to search, the officer found a syringe plus a bent spoon and cut straw in her purse. The crime lab determined there was methamphetamine inside the syringe.
Victor A. Morigeau, 54, Ronan, in a change of plea admitting committing two counts of assault on a peace officer, both felonies; and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fourth or subsequent offense, a felony. Sentencing is set for Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 1:30 p.m.
According to court documents, charges stem from a Feb. 8 incident where a Lake County Sheriff’s deputy saw Morigeau accelerate through a Ronan intersection without stopping at the stop sign, and making too wide a turn as he accelerated to 43 mph in the 25 mph speed limit by Ronan Middle School. By the time the officer caught up with Morigeau, he was driving 65 mph within Ronan city limits. Morigeau did not stop when the deputy attempted to pull Morigeau over; instead he accelerated and drove in the oncoming traffic lane before turning south onto Rocky Butte Road, reaching speeds up to 75 mph. Several times the deputy watched Morigeau’s vehicle drift and swerve back into the proper lane. Morigeau eventually drove into a field marked with a warning for people not to enter because it was a Domestic Septic Site. For 25 minutes, the erratic chase continued in the field as Morigeau refused to stop. Morigeau then drove into a federal wildlife refuge and began driving circles around the deputy’s car, giving the deputy “the finger.”
A Ronan Police officer — who had a civilian in his patrol car for a ride-along — joined the deputy and attempted to stop Morigeau. At one point, Morigeau allegedly drove straight for the officer’s car, missing it by inches, causing the officer and passenger to be in fear of severe physical harm. Morigeau’s vehicle finally became stuck on a hill. The deputy exited his vehicle with his service weapon drawn and walked toward Morigeau. Morigeau finally got traction and drove straight toward the deputy, who fired four rounds: two into the driver’s side front tire and two into the driver’s side rear tire. After Morigeau threw up his hands and “gave up,” he still would not exit the vehicle. The deputy pulled Morigeau from the car and handcuffed him as Morigeau struggled with the deputy.
Morigeau refused sobriety tests, and had to be restrained to obtain blood at the hospital. His record revealed three prior DUI convictions.
Casey William Plant, 25, Big Arm, was sentenced to the Department of Corrections for five years for criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony, and criminal possession with intent to distribute, a felony. Plant was also sentenced to DOC for five years, all suspended, for tampering or fabricating with physical evidence and five years, all suspended, for forgery, a felony.
Sentences will run consecutively for a total of 15 years with 10 suspended. The court recommends placement in a residential treatment facility.
According to court documents, charges stem from an April 2009 incident where Plant was arrested after a confidential informant said he had purchased methamphetamine from Plant.
A probation search of Plant’s home revealed hashish and pills. In a separate incident, Plant was accused of writing checks on another person’s account to buy drugs and stay in hotels.
