courts Stories by Jeff Smith of Anderson Broadcasting for the Valley Journal
Hawkins sentenced to four years POLSON — A Pablo man was sentenced at District Court in Polson Jan. 13 to four years with the Montana Department of Corrections with all that time suspended on a felony partner or family member conviction. Cory Cory William Hawkins Hawkins, 45, has two prior misdemeanor convictions, one involving the same victim. According to court records, on Aug. 24 the Lake County dispatch center received two 911 calls regarding an alleged assault in Pablo. One of the reporting parties indicated that the victim of the assault came to their residence and said she had been
choked. When law enforcement arrived they observed what they described as a distraught victim. She had red marks on her neck, had a raspy voice and her daughter was trying to comfort her. She told investigators that she and Hawkins were in an argument that turned physical. Records show Hawkins has two prior convictions for misdemeanor PFMA. A third PFMA conviction rises to the felony level under Montana Code Annotated. Prosecutor Molly Owen with the Lake County Attorney’s office told presiding Judge Robert G. Olson that the victim’s father was wanting a harsher punishment but the victim “stymied prosecution efforts.” Judge Olson appeared remotely from the 9th Judicial District.
Couture pleads not guilty to possession POLSON — A Ronan man with a history of criminal activity in Lake County is accused of dealing drugs. Joseph Louis Couture, 30, entered a plea of not guilty at District Court in Polson Jan. 6 to criminal possession with Joseph intent to distribCouture ute. According to court records, on Aug. 8, 2021, Couture was driving a vehicle that was the subject of a traffic stop by a Lake Coun8 - January 19, 2022
ty Sheriff ’s deputy. Couture was wanted on an outstanding warrant and was arrested. He was also on probation. His Probation officer requested the vehicle Couture was driving be searched. The search allegedly turned up a bag of methamphetamine weighing 28 grams, a smaller bag containing two grams of meth and an item of drug paraphernalia. A Request for a bond reduction was denied by Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher. A trial date has not yet been set. Couture remains in the Lake County jail with bail totaling $100,000.
Eystad convicted of eighth DUI POLSON — A Flathead Valley man was committed at District Court in Polson Jan. 6 to the Montana Department of Corrections for five years after being convicted of what records show is his eighth DUI conviction. Earl Dean Eystad, 55, was fined $5,000 and given credit for having already served 223 days in jail. According to court records, on May 16, Lake CounEarly Eystad ty Sheriff ’s Lt. Fernando Venegas took a report of a possible drunk driver in the
Woods Bay area. Lt. Venegas observed the suspect vehicle weaving all over the road and driving 15 miles per hour below the posted speed limit before conducting a traffic stop on it. The driver was identified as Eystad. He appeared to be intoxicated and smelled of alcohol. He had to hold onto his vehicle to maintain his balance and was either unable or unwilling to participate in field sobriety tests or provide a breath test. Lt. Venegas also noted a glass pipe and empty containers of alcohol on the floorboard of the vehicle. A check of Eystad’s records shows seven prior convictions for DUI.
Locke sentenced for burglary POLSON — A Bismark North Dakota man was committed at District Court in Polson on Jan. 13 to the Montana Department of Corrections for five years with all that time suspended on a burglary conviction. Justin Scott Locke, 30, Justin was already Locke convicted of burglary and theft charges in neighboring
counties. He received a five year DOC commitment in both of those cases. Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher made her five years consecutive to those terms. She also ordered restitution of $200 and gave Locke credit for 129 days in jail already served. According to court records, on April 13, 2020, the manager of the Blue Bay Campground called law enforcement to report a break-in at the campground’s entry kiosk. Lake County Sheriff ’s Deputy Dan Yonkin observed hinges
on the kiosk’s door were pried apart and a safe inside the kiosk had been broken into. A blood sample taken from the scene was analyzed at the state crime lab and tested positive for Locke. Video surveillance at the kiosk showed a man with a tattoo looking into the kiosk. Locke has a matching tattoo. Locke took responsibility for his actions calling them “stupid.” He said he was trying to make his way back to North Dakota and needed money.
Gardipe pleads guilty to theft, burglary POLSON — An Elmo man was sentenced at District Court in Polson Jan. 12 to a total of six years in the Montana State Prison on theft and burglary charges. Trevor Daniel Gardipe, 25, pleaded guilty to the charges on Sept, 8. He did so without the Valley Journal
benefit of a plea agreement, subjecting him to the maximum on each charge, 20 years for burglary and five years for theft. Judge James Manley cited Gardipe’s “exsee page 9
