Lake County District Court news for May 1, 2013
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Judge C.B. McNeil dealt with the following cases Wednesday, April 17:
Ronald Melvin, 58, Polson, in a change of plea, admitted to threats and improper influence in official and political matters, a felony. He was found guilty, and sentencing was set for Wednesday, May 22, at 9 a.m.
According to court documents, the charge stems from a May 2012 incident where Melvin, who had just been terminated by his employer, the City of Polson, left a threatening phone message with the administrative assistant for the City of Polson. In that message, Melvin allegedly threatened to kill City Manager Todd Crossett unless he resigned by the end of the week. Melvin also allegedly threatened to kill the administrative assistant and Polson City Attorney James Raymond.
Ronald Goodsell, 32, Charlo, was sentenced to the Department of Corrections for five years, all suspended. Goodsell received credit for time served while in custody.
According to court documents, Goodsell is a Tier 3 sex offender required to register as a sex offender. Goodsell allegedly changed his residence in Lake County and failed to give notice to the registration agency within three days. In July 2012, a Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy tried to locate Goodsell to verify his compliance with the sexual and violent offenders registry. At Goodsell’s registered address, the property owner told the officer that Goodsell had moved 10 days earlier. He had not informed his probation officer of the move.
David Weaselhead, 58, Bonners Ferry, Idaho, pleaded not guilty to operation of noncommercial motor vehicle by person with alcohol concentration of .08 percent or more, fourth or subsequent offense, a felony. An omnibus hearing was set for Wednesday, May 29, and a jury trial set to begin Monday, July 15. Both begin at 9 a.m. Weaselhead was released on his own recognizance with a SCRAM bracelet.
According to court documents, the charge stems from a March 30 incident where a Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy called dispatch from his home in St. Ignatius to report that someone driving a white Chevy pickup had just stopped to urinate in his driveway. Another sheriff’s deputy located a white Chevy pickup not far from St. Ignatius on U.S. Highway 93 and pulled the vehicle over. The driver, Weaselhead, admitted to drinking several beers and said he was guilty of driving drunk. His driving record showed Weaselhead had four prior DUI convictions, and a breath test showed he had a blood alcohol concentration of .22 percent.
James Wilson Allen, 38, St. Ignatius, in a change of plea, admitted to the amended offense of criminal endangerment, a felony. He was found guilty, and sentencing was set for Wednesday, May 22, at 9 a.m. Allen received credit for time served, and he and his vehicle were released.
According to court documents, the charge stems from a Jan. 10 incident where a Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to stop Allen, who was driving recklessly. Allen pulled into a driveway and the deputy pulled in behind Allen. When the deputy got out of his vehicle, Allen reversed his vehicle, spinning his tires in the snow in a attempt to hit the deputy. The deputy jumped into his car and avoided being hit by only 6 inches.
Judge Deborah Kim Christopher dealt with the following cases Thursday, April 18:
Marvin Gardipe, 60, Charlo, was sentenced to the Department of Corrections for 13 months for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, a felony.
According to court documents, charges stem from a March 2012 incident where an officer made a traffic stop on a vehicle Gardipe was driving. Gardipe appeared to be intoxicated and smelled of alcohol. He performed poorly on field sobriety tests, and a preliminary breath tests showed Gardipe’s blood alcohol concentration was more than .219 percent. His driving record showed four previous DUI convictions.
Jeremiah Mitchell, 21, St. Ignatius, had sentencing deferred for three years for criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony, and was ordered to serve either 30 days in the Lake County Jail or successfully complete an inpatient chemical dependency treatment program. Jail time has been satisfied.
According to court documents, the charge stems from a March 2012 incident where, during a traffic stop, a Montana Highway Patrol Trooper noticed a marijuana grinder in plain view inside Mitchell’s vehicle. The officer also found a syringe containing methamphetamine in Mitchell’s pocket.
Eli Dubois, 22, Polson, had sentencing deferred for three years for assault with a weapon, a felony, and was ordered to serve 20 days in the Lake County Jail or successfully complete an inpatient chemical dependency treatment program within 90 days of sentencing.
According to court documents, the charge stems from an October 2012 incident where Dubois tried to hit a woman with his pickup truck in a parking lot in Pablo.
Douglas A. Whitewater, 24, Pablo, pleaded not guilty to criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony. An omnibus hearing was set for Thursday, June 13, and a jury trial set to begin Monday, Aug. 12. Both begin at 9 a.m.
According to court documents, the charge stems from a September 2012 incident where a woman turned in a baggie of suspected methamphetamine to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office that she said Whitewater had left in her shower. Whitewater admitted that the drugs were his; he had a drug problem; and he intended to plead guilty so he could get help for his meth addiction.
Raymond James Burland, 37, Pablo, admitted to the amended offense of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, a felony. He was found guilty, and sentencing was set for Thursday, June 27, at 9 a.m.
According to court documents, the charge stems from a February 2012 incident where Burland was stopped after a box fell out of the back of his pickup truck on the road. Burland refused to cooperate with “white” police and appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. A breath test showed he had a blood alcohol concentration of .212 percent, and Burland’s driving record showed he had at least three prior DUI convictions.
Judge C.B. McNeil dealt with the following cases Wednesday, April 24:
Crystal Butler, 39, Dixon, pleaded not guilty to two counts of criminal possession of dangerous drugs, both felonies. An omnibus hearing was set for Wednesday, June 26, and a jury trial set to begin Monday, Sept. 16. Both begin at 9 a.m.
According to court documents, the charges stem from a September 2012 incident where Butler’s probation officer found a syringe containing residue of methamphetamine and methadone in Butler’s purse, among other items of drug paraphernalia.
Travis Curtis Lozeau, 23, Charlo, in a change of plea, admitted to criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony. He was found guilty, and sentencing was set for Wednesday, May 29, at 9 a.m.
According to court documents, the charges stem from a September 2012 probation search of Lozeau, who had in his wallet two white pills labeled “Watson” and “385” and a purple pill labeled “ABG” and “30.” The white pills contained hydrocodone, and the purple pill contained morphine.
Samantha Oldhorn, 35, Lame Deer, had her 2007 deferred sentence for criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony, revoked and was sentenced to the Department of Corrections for five years, all suspended. Oldhorn received credit for time served in custody, and she was authorized to be released immediately.
