Lake County District Court news for Sept. 9, 2015
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Judge James A. Manley dealt with the following cases Wednesday, Sept. 2:
Aaron C. Dodge, 45, Polson, was sentenced to the Department of Corrections for five years with none suspended for one count of assault with a weapon, a felony. For each of two additional felony assault with a weapon charges and one felony partner or family member assault, Dodge was sentenced to DOC for five years, all suspended, to run concurrent with each other after the first five years are completed.
According to court documents, on April 28, Dodge had been drinking at home when he got in an argument with his wife and daughter over an actress on television. After slapping his wife, he got a sawed-off shotgun, “his usual tool of persuasion,” pointed it at the floor and fired it. The ricocheting buckshot struck the wife, daughter and son.
Randell Runsthrough, age and town unavailable, pleaded not guilty to criminal distribution of dangerous drugs, a felony. A request that Runsthrough be released was denied, and bail remains at $25,000.
According to court documents, on March 11 under the monitoring of Mission Mountain Drug Task Force, a confidential informant purchased two baggies of methamphetamine from Runsthrough for $100.
Stacie R. Rongyocsik-Lester, 38, Missoula, pleaded not guilty to felony criminal endangerment and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, a misdemeanor. An omnibus hearing is set for Oct. 21 and a jury trial is set to start Jan. 19, 2016.
According to court documents, on March 10, 2014, a Montana State Trooper responded to a one-vehicle rollover near Ronan. The vehicle appeared to have driven off the road and flipped end-over-end, landing partially on a game trail retaining wall. The driver, Rongyocsik-Lester, was thrown from the vehicle and was unconscious. Witnesses said she had been driving erratically, then drove straight off the road. A 2-year-old child was found strapped in her car seat, but the seat had broken free from the forces of the wreck and landed in the front passenger seat. The child did not appear injured. A blood draw at the hospital showed Rongyocsik-Lester had consumed methamphetamine, amphetamine and the prescription drug Ambien.
Mitchell Joe Bear Azure, 35, Ravalli, pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fourth or subsequent offense, a felony. Dates were not yet set for an omnibus hearing and jury trial.
According to court documents, on April 29 about 2:40 a.m. a tribal officer observed Azure driving 81-82 miles per hour in the northbound lane through Arlee. The officer also saw Azure cross the fog line multiple times and the first line of the double yellow once.
When he pulled Azure over, Azure admitted he had “a couple of drinks,” and the officer could smell a strong odor of alcohol beverage on Azure’s breath. Azure’s driving record showed three prior DUI convictions.
Jolanda Marie Brown, 26, Ronan, pleaded not guilty to criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony. An omnibus hearing is set for Oct. 21 and a jury trial is set to start Jan. 19, 2015.
According to court documents, on Aug. 21, 2014, Brown was arrested in Polson on three outstanding warrants. In detention several items of drug paraphernalia and a baggie containing methamphetamine were found in her possession.
In a separate charge, Brown pleaded not guilty to criminal possession with intent to distribute, a felony. An omnibus hearing is set for Sept. 16 and a jury trial is set to begin Dec. 14.
According to court documents, on July 11 a taxi was stopped after law enforcement was advised there was a drug deal inside the car.
Brown’s purse had a baggie of methamphetamine, a loaded syringe, several suspicious checks made out to Brown, several other people’s ID cards and food stamp cards.
Kain Justin Kenmille, 18, Polson, pleaded not guilty to criminal possession with intent to distribute, a felony. An omnibus hearing is set for Sept. 19 and a jury trial is set to start Dec. 14.
According to court documents, Kenmille’s home was searched June 29 and a shoebox was found inside a hole in the couch. Fifty-three grams of meth was found in the shoebox with a scale, a scoop, and $76 in cash.
Tucker Steven Hathaway, 27, Polson, pleaded not guilty to criminal endangerment, a felony; fleeing from or eluding a peace officer, a misdemeanor; and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, second offense, a misdemeanor. An omnibus hearing is set for Oct. 21 and a jury trial is set to start Jan. 19, 2016.
