Lake County District Court news for June 13, 2012
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Judge C.B. McNeil dealt with the following cases Wednesday, June 6:
Misty Jo Whitworth, 35, Ronan, was ordered to pay $2,810 in restitution and sentencing was deferred for four years for forgery by common scheme, a felony. According to court documents, charges stem from incidences between July 2011 and January 2012 where Whitworth wrote 17 checks out to cash on another woman's checking account, all without permission. The checks totaled $2,810, and Whitworth allegedly used the money to purchase illegal drugs and had in her possession drug paraphernalia. Whitworth told an investigator that she took the checks, knew it was wrong and used the money to buy drugs. She consented to a search of her purse, which contained paraphernalia commonly used to store, use and inject methamphetamine and cocaine.
Brian Johnston, 37, Polson, pleaded not guilty to solicitation (incest) a felony. Johnston pleaded not guilty to three counts of incest in the same case in August 2011, but the State has now filed amended information adding one county of solicitation (incest) to the charges. Johnston was released on his own recognizance to house arrest with a GPS monitoring bracelet. According to court documents, charges stem from three incidents between April 2010 and June 2011 when Johnston allegedly had sexual intercourse and other sexual interactions with two underage female relatives. The maximum sentence for felony incest and solicitation is 100 years each or a life term each and a $50,000 fine. Johnston is a registered sex offender with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, and had been released from prison April 20, 2010. He is currently on probation for possession of dangerous drugs.
James Snyder, 20, Ronan, pleaded not guilty to aggravated burglary, a felony. An omnibus hearing was set for Wednesday, July 25, and a jury trial set to begin Monday, Oct. 1. Both begin at 9 a.m. Bond was reduced from $25,000 to $5,000 and Snyder and his family allowed to post a property bond. According to court documents, charges stem from a Jan. 19 incident where Snyder allegedly unlawfully entered the home of Merlyn Snyder and knowingly assaulted Merlyn and his wife, Shawn Fields. Fields reported to a Lake County Sheriff's deputy that James, Merlyn's brother, beat Merlyn up and then choked her while she was holding her child. Injuries to Merlyn and Fields were consistent with her story.
Ronald D. Quaring, 47, Pablo, pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fourth or subsequent offense, a felony. An omnibus hearing was set for Wednesday, July 25, and a jury trial set to begin Monday, Oct. 1. Both begin at 9 a.m. According to court documents, charges stem from an April 30 incident where a tribal officer made a traffic stop on a vehicle that ran a red light in Pablo and nearly hit the officer's vehicle. Quaring, the driver, admitted to drinking “a little bit.” His speech was slurred and slow; his eyes red and glossy. After failing field sobriety tests, Quaring refused to provide a breath sample and would not allow the officer to search his pockets for weapons. He pulled a small marijuana pipe out of his pocket and threw it into the road. Quaring's driving record showed he has at least three prior DUI convictions.
Randall Michel Jr., 25, St. Ignatius, in a change of plea, admitted committing the amended offense of theft, a misdemeanor. He was found guilty and sentenced to six months in the Lake County Jail, all suspended but 21 days. Michel will receive credit for 21 days served and was ordered to pay $447 in restitution within five months of sentencing. According to court documents, charges stem from a September 2010 incident where Michel allegedly broked into a trailer parked at a St. Ignatius business and stole several power tools valued at more than $1,500. The business owner reported that he found several of the stolen tools at a pawn shop in Missoula in June 2011, and pawn shop records indicated that the items were pawned in March 2011 by Michel. The owner was able to identify all of the recovered tools.
Edmund Irvine, 45, Ronan, had his 2009 suspended sentence for driving under the influence of alcohol, fourth or subsequent offense, a felony, revoked and was sentenced to the Department of Corrections for four years. According to court documents, Irvine violated his probation when he tested positive for methamphetamine, opiates, oxycontin and benzodiazepines in May. He was also hospitalized with a blood alcohol concentration of .43 percent in October 2011, and in December 2011, his BAC was measured at .197 percent.
William Ritter, 44, Polson, had his 2002 suspended sentence for theft, a felony, revoked and was sentenced to Montana State Prison for 10 years, all suspended. He may apply for an early release in the event restitution is paid in full. According to court documents, Ritter violated his probation by firing weapons at the gun range in August 2011, drinking alcohol and failing to pay court-ordered restitution, of which he still owes around $48,000.
