Lake County District Court news for Dec. 21, 2016
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Judge James A. Manley sentenced the following person on Wednesday, Dec. 14:
Nicholas Ayers Olson, 30, of Polson, received a one-year deferred sentence for a fourth or subsequent DUI. He was ordered to complete chemical dependency and aftercare programs.
Deborah Kim Christopher sentenced the following people Thursday, Dec. 15:
Ronald Wayne Hout, Jr., 46, admitted he failed to report to his probation officer. He agreed he has an alcohol problem and would benefit from alcohol treatment.
“I’m an alcoholic, that’s my problem,” he said. His attorney noted Hout has been undergoing treatment locally.
The court found Hout guilty of the parole violation and revoked his suspended sentence for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fourth or subsequent offense, a felony. Hout was sentenced to two years in the Department of Corrections.
Judge Christopher reminded Hout he’s “been on this ride” for 15 years.
“If you are serious about getting a handle on this … the court has no problem with the defendant finishing the treatment, but that will be up to the Department of Corrections,” Judge Christopher said.
Hout stated that he just didn’t really understand a lot of the case.
“I still have a hard time wrapping my head around it,” Hout said. “How can I violate a suspended sentence when parole was over? I just don’t understand it. I guess it’s the law, but I don’t see how I can be punished.”
“It’s like the military. You belong to them,” Christopher explained. “If you break the law, you are punished.”
Paul Mahoney, 68, Rollins, admitted violating conditions of probation by consuming alcohol on April 19 and June 3. The court found Mahoney guilty of violating conditions, had his 2009 suspended sentence for assault on a peace officer revoked. Mahoney was sentenced to the Department of Public Health and Human Services for the remainder of his suspended sentence, which is five years.
“Get some assistance so you don’t put yourself at risk, or others,” Christopher said. Mahoney will be credited for time served, which will be determined.
Curtis Dean Franks, 29, Ronan, had his amended sentence for criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony, deferred for three years based on conditions outlined in the plea agreement. The sentence provides for him to forfeit seized property to the Lake County Sheriff ’s Department.
“You get one bite of the apple. This is your one opportunity to clear your record,” Christopher told Franks.
According to court documents, on Dec. 3, 2014, a Montana Highway Patrol trooper pulled Franks over because his car registration was expired. Franks had a baggie of methamphetamine in his vehicle.
Bradley Wayne Cannon, 20, Polson, had his sentence for criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony, deferred for three years.
“Look’s like you’ve made some really awful choices and some good ones,” Christopher told Cannon. “If I am lenient up front, I’m not necessarily going to be so (lenient) if you come back to this court. If you want the chance to serve some time, I can make that happen, but I don’t want to.”
According to court documents, a Polson Police officer was patrolling Sacajawea Park around midnight June 19, and saw an unoccupied truck with marijuana inside. The officer waited Cannon to return to his truck.
