Lake County District Court news for Feb. 9, 2011
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
Judge C.B. McNeil dealt with the following cases Wednesday, Feb. 2:
Monica Green, 33, Spokane, Wash., admitted committing the amended felony offense of criminal possession of dangerous drugs. The court accepted the plea agreement and Green’s plea, and found Green guilty. Sentencing is set for Wednesday, March 30 at 9 a.m. In addition, her warrant was squashed.
According to court documents, charges stem from an August 2010 incident where a man was stopped for driving with a suspended license. Green was in his car, and because Drug Task Force Reports noted she could be involved with distribution of methamphetamine in Lake County and she had a warrant for her arrest, she was searched. Officers found methamphetamine in Green’s possession, which she claimed was for her personal use.
Joshua David Allred, 24, Polson, admitted to allegations of marijuana use and had his deferred sentence revoked. The court sentenced Allred to the Department of Corrections for five years with no part suspended, and recommended Allred be placed in a chemical dependency treatment program.
According to court documents, original charges stem from a July 2009 when Allred turned himself in for taking Lortab without a prescription for many years, and told officers he needed help. Hydrocodone was found in his possession.
Howard Brand, III, 37, Ketchikan, Alaska, admitted committing an amended felony offense of issuing a bad check. The court accepted the plea agreement and Brand’s plea and found him guilty. Sentencing is set for Wednesday, April 6 at 9 a.m.
According to court records, charges stem from January 2009, when Brand wrote a $60,000 check as the down payment to purchase a condominium in Polson. The check was returned when the account on which it was written was closed. For nine months Brand made numerous promises to make good on the check, but none of those promises were fulfilled. In December 2009, Brand wrote another check for $5,000 as restitution for the original check. He postdated the check to Jan. 10, 2010, and it was deposited Jan. 12, but that check was returned because the account had insufficient funds. At that point, the victim turned the matter over to the police. Brand was arrested Nov. 26, 2010.
Thomas Robertson, 39, Missoula, pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fourth or subsequent offense, a felony, and not guilty to driving while license is suspended or revoked, a felony.
An omnibus hearing is set for Wednesday, April 2 and a jury trial is set for June 6 at 9 a.m.
According to court records, charges stem from a December 2010 incident when an Arlee resident called police to report that two intoxicated men had come to his house looking for gasoline because they had run out of gas and were trying to get their car going. The Arlee resident stated he was concerned about the prospect of either of them driving. A Highway Patrol officer found Robertson’s vehicle near the residence and after checking Robertson’s history, the officer found that Robertson’s driver’s license was suspended and he had three prior DUI convictions. When Robertson returned to the vehicle, a preliminary breath test revealed Robertson’s blood alcohol content was .261 and he was arrested.
Joseph Dowdall, 50, Polson, pleaded not guilty to stalking, a felony, and two misdemeanor charges of violation of order of protection. Dowdall remains in custody after the court denied a request for release. Omnibus hearings are set for Wednesday, March 2 and Wednesday, April 6, both at 9 a.m. A jury trial is set for June 6 at 9 a.m.
According to court documents, charges stem from two incidents in January when Dowdall allegedly went to the family home, although he was issued an order of protection restricting him from being there. The second time, the woman called to report that Dowdall was trying to break into their home from the garage and eating frozen grape juice mix and drinking a mix of cleaners. The woman told officers she was afraid of him and believes Dowdall will try to kill her.
John Hendricks, 42, Ronan, pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fourth or subsequent offense, a felony. An omnibus hearing is set for Wednesday, April 6 at 9 a.m. and a jury trial is set for June 6 at 9 a.m. Hendricks is not in custody.
According to court records, charges stem from a January 1 incident where Hendricks allegedly drove his truck while intoxicated and ended up in a ditch.
Ronald Clapper, age and residence not available, pleaded not guilty to felony theft. He remains in custody on $20,000 bail. An omnibus hearing is set for Wednesday, March 2 at 9 a.m. and a jury trial for June 6.
According to court records, charges stem from a December 2008 incident where a man reported that his Bobcat welder on a trailer with cutting torch bottles and a toolbox had been stolen. Then on March 19, 2009, the victim provided authorities with a taped conversation between Clapper and another man. Clapper acknowledged several times that he had taken the welder from the victim’s shop and how he had done it. Clapper also stated on the tape that the welder was now on another rig and is out of sight. The value of the stolen property is estimated at $5,000. Clapper was arrested Jan. 29.
Deborah Kim Christopher dealt with the following cases Thursday, Feb. 3:
Kazz Stiger, 20, Ferndale, admitted committing felony offenses of burglary and criminal possession of dangerous drugs. The court accepted his plea agreement and found Stiger guilty. Sentencing is set for Thursday, March 10 at 9 a.m.
According to court records, charges stem from an August 2010 incident where Stiger allegedly broke into a home in Swan Lake, possibly twice, and stole a container of coins with an approximate value of $100 and a large amount of oxycontin.
William D. Martin, III, 39, Polson, admitted committing two amended felony offenses of assault on a minor and partner or family member assault. Sentencing is set for Thursday, March 10 at 9 a.m.
According to court records, charges stem from a Nov. 8, 2010 incident where a Polson police officer responded to a report of a domestic assault at the home of one of Martin’s former wives and their three sons. Allegedly Martin was intoxicated and took money from a jar in the home. When his former wife asked about the money, Martin became angry. When the oldest son asked Martin to leave and leave them alone, Martin told him to shut up, shoved him against a wall and hit him with a closed hand. Another son asked Martin not to drink and drive, at which point Martin grabbed the son by the throat, pushed him against a wall, and dropped him to the floor. The former wife said that for months Martin had threatened to beat up the oldest son and recently stated he was going to kill the son when he turned 18. Martin also backed into the son’s car when he left, causing damage to the vehicle.
A review of Martin’s criminal history showed two prior convictions in 2007 and 2009 for partner or family member assault on the sons. Martin is also on probation for violating an order of protection for his second wife.
In all assaults, records show that Martin has been violent while heavily intoxicated.
Timothy James Anderson, 27, Billings, had a previous sentence for felony burglary revoked. The court sentenced Anderson to the Department of Corrections for five years. All previous conditions of probation are re-imposed.
According to court records, the original charges stem from a November 2003 incident where Anderson broke into a garage in St. Ignatius and stole a knife.
Clarence Lafley, 46, Arlee, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, a felony. Lafley was found guilty and sentencing is set for Thursday, March 10 at 9 a.m.
According to court documents, charges stem from a Jan. 15 incident where an off-duty tribal officer observed a vehicle stopped at the intersection of Highways 200 and 212. Shortly after, the same vehicle passed the officer at a high rate of speed and was driving erratically, driving for 100 yards in the oncoming lane and then almost into a ditch. The officer estimated the driver’s speed to be up to 80 miles per hour. When the vehicle came to the intersection of Highway 200 and Highway 93, the driver made a wide right and crossed into the oncoming northbound lane. After the officer had asked his father to call tribal dispatch, the officer stopped the car in Ravalli by turning on his emergency flashers and flashing his headlights. The driver admitted he had been drinking for the past two days.
When an on-duty tribal officer arrived, Lafley refused field sobriety tests and a breath test. Because Lafley had three prior DUI convictions, a Sheriff’s deputy was called and Lafley was arrested.
James A. Roylance, 49, Charlo, was sentenced to the Department of Corrections for 13 months for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. However, his sentence is being appealed and Roylance remains out on bail until the appeal is resolved.
According to court documents, charges stem from a July 2010 incident where Roylance was pulled over on Highway 93 because he was driving all over the road. A bottle of liquor was found on the passenger’s side floor and three open cans of beer were in the back seat. Although Roylance refused field sobriety tests and a breath test, his speech was slurred, his eyes were red and his record showed three prior DUI convictions.
Zacharie Martin, 18, Polson, pleaded not guilty to a charge of sexual intercourse without consent. Martin remains at liberty and an omnibus hearing is set for Thursday, April 17 at 9 a.m. A jury trial is set for Monday, May 23 at 9 a.m.
According to court documents, charges stem from a January 6 incident where a 14-year-old female told a Sheriff’s detective that she had known Martin for several years and engaged in sexual intercourse twice since the summer of 2010. The detective interviewed Martin, and according to court records, Martin admitted he had engaged in sexual intercourse with the female. At the time the offenses charged occurred, Martin was 17 years old and the female was 13 and 14 years old.
