Courts

Stories by Jeff Smith of Anderson Broadcasting for the Valley Journal

Mikulecky pleads not guilty to criminal mischief

POLSON — A Ronan man is accused of breaking out six windows at a neighbor’s residence. Edward Charles Mikulecky, 62, entered a plea of not guilty in Polson’s District Court on Jan. 12 to felony criminal mischief.

According to court records, on Dec. 21, a man called law enforcement to report six windows at his residence had been broken out. The man says surveillance video shows his neighbor, Mikulecky, with a baseball bat in his hands approaching his residence. A Lake County Sheriff’s deputy responded and documented the six broken windows. The windows appeared to have been broken by “an object shaped like a bat.” The deputy went to Mikulecky’s residence. While placing Mikulecky under arrest, the deputy noticed a baseball bat next to the couch in Mikulecky’s living room. The estimate to replace the windows came in above $1,500, qualifying the crime as a felony.

Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher set a trial date of March 27, the same day Mikulecky is to go to trial for felony DUI.

Simmons pleads not guilty to burglary, theft

POLSON — A Polson man is accused of breaking into a Polson pawn shop and stealing chainsaws. Michael Leroy Simmons, Jr., 36, entered a plea of not guilty at District Court in Polson on Jan. 11 to felony charges of burglary and theft.

According to court records, on Nov. 7 an employee of the Depoe Junction was reviewing surveillance video of the shop from Oct. 21 when he noticed images of Simmons stealing chainsaws. It was later determined that a total of eight chainsaws, two generators and a welding tool were missing. The combined total of the items missing is more than $5,000. On Oct. 22, Simmons was reported as missing by his wife. She indicated to law enforcement that Simmons had traveled to Ravalli to sell his chainsaws. On Nov. 9, Polson police learned that Simmons had sold a generator to the White Elephant secondhand store in Ronan. An investigation led police to arrest Simmons in Polson on Jan. 5.

District Judge Molly Owen set a trial date of July 31. Simmons remains in the Lake County jail with bail totaling $55,000.

Michael Simmons Jr.

Reid found guilty of exploitation

POLSON — It took a Lake County jury about 30 minutes to find a St. Ignatius woman guilty of exploitation of elder or disabled person. The trial for Shaylynn Jamie Reid, 26, began in Polson’s District Court on Monday, Jan. 9, and ended the following morning with the guilty verdict being delivered by about 10:30 a.m.

According to court records, on Sept. 20, 2020, the conservator of the person in need of care, contacted law enforcement to report funds missing from the victim. The funds went missing while the person in need of care was in the care of Reid. Reid was given room and board in exchange for caring for the victim. When Reid was confronted by the victim’s conservator, Reid admitted to taking the funds saying she had a gambling problem.

Reid was serving a 10-year term in the Montana State Women’s prison and had to be brought back to Lake County for trial in the exploitation case. The 10-year term stems from a bail jumping charge to which Reid was initially given a three year deferred sentence. However, Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher revoked the deferred sentence after Reid committed forgery just five days after receiving the deferred imposition of sentencing.

Judge Christopher set a sentencing date of Feb. 16 in the exploitation case. Reid remains in custody.

McCay pleads guilty to criminal possession

POLSON — A sentencing date of March 2 has been set for an Arlee man convicted of dealing heroin in Lake County. Peter Alexander McCay, 36, entered a plea of guilty at District Court in Polson on Jan. 5 to criminal possession with intent to distribute. The plea agreement calls for the state and defense to jointly recommend a 10-year commitment to the Montana Department of Corrections with all but time served suspended.

According to court records on July 4, 2020, Ronan police observed a Jeep traveling north on US Highway 93. Police conducted a traffic stop on the Jeep as it did not have a properly working license plate lamp. McCay was identified as the driver, his driver’s license was suspended and he was wanted on an outstanding warrant. The officer conducting the traffic stop suspected McCay was under the influence and began an investigation. The investigation led to the discovery of a “large amount of cash” to which McCay gave varying explanations of how he obtained it. The officer obtained a search warrant for the Jeep. A subsequent search of the Jeep yielded various items of drug paraphernalia, two scales, and a baggie that contained 20 grams of a black tarry substance. The substance later tested positive for heroin at the state crime lab. A mobile phone containing pictures of suspected heroin was also seized from the Jeep.

Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher ordered a pre-sentence investigation. McCay’s attorney Justin Kalmbach of Polson says the PSI will determine how much credit for time served McCay will receive.

Lucas pleads guilty to criminal possession

POLSON — A woman from Spokane, Washington admitted to dealing fentanyl in Lake County. Taucia Lucas, 37, entered a plea of guilty in Polson’s District Court on Jan. 12 to felony criminal possession with intent to distribute. The plea was entered as part of a plea agreement that

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News from USDA

BOZEMAN — The Montana Association of Conservation Districts and the Natural Resources Conservation Service will host the 2023 Montana Soil Health Symposium on Feb. 8-9 at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center.

The event will feature Jerry Doan of Black Leg Ranch in McKenzie, North Dakkota, Brendon Rockey of Rockey Farms in Center, Colorado, and John Kempf of Advancing Eco Agriculture and KindHarvest.ag in Ohio. Plus, a pre-conference workshop on Feb. 7 featuring four ranchers across Montana sharing their challenges and opportunities as they have worked to market their beef to consumers in different ways.

The Soil Health Symposium provides an opportunity for farmers, ranchers, gardeners, and technical specialists from all different landscapes, generations, and levels of experience to network and share their stories, successes, and lessons learned in the pursuit of soil management. Topics will range from human health and nutrition and how to work with partners and bankers in implementing regenerative practices to managing nutrition and microbe integrity for pest resistance and high yields and grass roots organizations accomplishing great things for resources and their communities. Jay Fuhrer, long-time conservationist, will take it back to the basics with Soil Health 101. In addition to the keynote speakers, attendees will hear from more than a dozen Montana agricultural producers using the soil health principles in their cropping, ranching, and gardening systems.

Special pricing is available for students and interns enrolled in educational agriculture programs.

Learn more, get the agenda, and register at: mtsoilhealth.org.

Lucas

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calls for a 10 year commitment to the Montana Department of Corrections with five years suspended.

According to court records, on Nov. 28 law enforcement received information that a woman from Washington state was selling fentanyl-laced pills and driving a U-haul truck. The U-haul truck was reported stolen in Spokane after it had not been returned by the due date and rented to Lucas. Law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on the truck as it drove through Polson. Lucas was identified as the driver. A search of her and the truck turned up 90 blue pills suspected of containing fentanyl.

Prosecutor Brendan McQuillan with the Lake County Attorney’s office says in addition to the 10 year DOC term Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher recommended Lucas also attend the Elkhorn treatment center to address mental health and addiction needs. Lucas had already served 46 days in the Lake County jail as of Jan. 12. Sentencing was set for March 2.

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