Lake County District Court news for Dec. 7, 2016
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Judge James A. Manley sentenced the following people Wednesday, Nov. 30:
Larisa Kristinmae Espinosa, 25, Ronan, received a two-year deferred sentence for criminal possession of dangerous drugs (methamphetamine) on March 4. Espinosa completed 36 days of treatment at the Rimrock Foundation in Billings, her attorney said. “We don’t have enough success stories,” Judge James A. Manley said. “It’s encouraging to know how hard you worked at it.”
Nick Elliott Burland, 30, Polson, received a three-year suspended sentence in the Department of Corrections for criminal possession of dangerous drugs (methamphetamine) on Sept. 28. The sentence will run concurrently with a 2015 conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fourth or subsequent offense. Burland said he was in the Warm Springs Addiction Treatment and Change (WATCH) program when the drug charge was filed.
Joshuah David Gowen, 37, St. Ignatius, was sentenced to three years in the Department of Corrections with two years, 11 months suspended for partner family member assault on May 17. He was sentenced to serve 30 days in the Lake County Jail on the following dates: Dec. 21-Jan. 2, March 18-26 and May 13-23. Judge Manley ordered him to have no contact with the victim except as allowed by his probation officer. Deputy county attorney Ben Anciaux said Gowen had given a victim a broken eye socket and shoulder in two previous PFMA convictions in Lake County Justice Court. In court, Gowen said he was humbled, grateful and apologized to his wife, three children and family. His attorney, Robert Long, said Gowen has a job and is going to school.
Robert Kenneth Santschi, 29, of Polson, received a three-year deferred sentence in the Department of Corrections with credit for seven days served for felony stalking. He was ordered to have no contact with the victim and to complete a 40-hour anger management course. Five charges of violating a protective order and one charge for resisting arrest were dismissed as part of a plea agreement. Santschi has two previous convictions for partner family member assault in Lake County Justice Court.
William Ray Shook, 58, a transient from Kalispell, received a five-year suspended sentence in the Department of Corrections with credit for 69 days served for four counts of violating a protective order from June 21 to July 12. Forty- two counts of violating a protective order were dismissed as part of the plea agreement. Manley ordered Shook to have no contact with the victims.
Deborah Kim Christopher sentenced the following people Thursday, Dec. 1:
David William Parnell, 35, Pablo, admitted violating conditions of probation by failing to stay in contact with his probation officer and testing positive for methamphetamine. In July, Parnell received a deferred sentence for criminal possession of dangerous drugs. The court found him guilty and reimposed Parnell’s three-year deferred sentence with the additional condition he successfully enter and complete chemical dependency treatment. “Probation is willing to work with you,” Judge Christopher said. “You didn’t cooperate. I could send you to the Montana State Prison for five years right now. But I’d rather you get treatment.” A request to be released on his own recognizance was denied pending a bed date for a residential treatment program.
Alonna Rai McClure, unknown age/residence, had her sentence for criminal possession of dangerous drugs deferred for three years. Reasons for the sentence are that it conforms to the plea agreement and provides an opportunity to obtain treatment “and hopefully (you) never have to come back to district court again,” Judge Christopher said. “Keep your probation officer on your good side. Good luck.” According to court documents, on April 13, 2015, McClure was arrested in the St. Ignatius area on an unrelated warrant from Tribal jail. McClure pleaded guilty per a plea agreement on Oct. 6.
Shawn Star Field, 30, Ronan, had her case dismissed without prejudice.
