courts
Stories by Jeff Smith of Anderson Broadcasting for the Valley Journal
Ronan man sentenced for dealing heroin POLSON — A Ronan man was committed to the Montana Department of Corrections for 20 years with 15 years suspended for dealing heroin. Jose Anders Gonzalez, 30, entered a plea of guilty at District Court in Polson on Sept. 9 to one felony count of criminal possession with intent to distribute. The guilty plea came as part of an agreement that dismisses one count of assault with a weapon. According to court re-
cords, on Feb. 18, Lake County Sheriff ’s deputies responded to a report of a female being assaulted by several people. At the scene, the deputies observed the Jose Gonzalez victim with a split above her eye and a broken tooth. The victim told responding deputies
that she had gone to a residence on Sundown Lane near St. Ignatius to confront someone about damages to a car. That’s when she says a male, later identified as Gonzalez, pointed a loaded pistol at her, then hit her several times with it. She went on to state that another person held her down while Gonzalez went through her pockets. She says they also took from her a backpack containing a derringer before allowing
her to leave. The victim was able to identify Gonzalez through social media postings. Law enforcement executed a search a warrant at the Sundown Lane residence. Inside, officers located five grams of heroin, a digital scale and the derringer. They also observed blood spatter consistent with the victim’s version of events. Judge John Larson of Missoula presided over the case via the Zoom platform.
Hot Springs man pleads not guilty to pursuit charges POLSON — A Hot Springs man is accused of leading police on a pursuit in the St. Ignatius area in early October. Daryl Able McDougal, 22, entered a plea of not guilty at District Court in Polson on Oct. 28 to felony criminal endangerment. According to court records, on Oct. 9, St. Ignatius Police Officer Jesse Girsch observed a green Honda Accord traveling at approximately 65 miles per hour in a 35 mph zone. Officer Girsch attempted to stop
the Honda, but it took off. Girsch observed the Honda traveling approximately 85 mph along Foothills Road when it passed another vehicle. The Honda also failed to stop at several stop signs and almost hit Daryl McDougal a front-end loader on Sabine Road. Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Wayne Bieber later detained
a man walking down Mountain View Drive. He was determined to be McDougal and the alleged driver of the green Honda Accord. McDougal said he fled because he didn’t want to go back to prison. McDougal was on probation stemming from a drug possession conviction in Lake County from 2019. A search of the green Honda Accord allegedly turned up drugs and items to ingest drugs. Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher set a jury trial for March 7.
St. Ignatius man sentenced to DOC for burglary POLSON — A St. Ignatius man was committed to the Montana Department of Corrections for a total of six years and three months with five years suspended on a burglary charge. Judge James Manley announced the term 8 - November 3, 2021
during a sentencing hearing at District Court in Polson on Oct. 27. Alex Patrick Finley Sr., 58, was convicted of burglary by way of a plea agreement reached Sept. 1 that dismisses one count of assault with a weapon.
According to court records, on July 30, 2020 Finley is alleged to have broken into the home of a St. Ignatius man while brandishing a machete. The occupant was forced to flee and call law enforcement. Finley allegedly went into
Valley Journal
the basement of the home and hid under a blanket. He initially refused to acknowledge law enforcement’s orders before being placed under arrest. Judge Manley gave Finley credit for 455 days jail time already served.
Polson man enters no contest plea in trailer fire incident POLSON — A Polson man has admitted to his involvement with a camper that caught fire last May. Samuel Aaron Mahkuk, 31, entered a no contest plea to the amended charge of felony criminal endangerment at District Court in Polson on Oct. 28. Mahkuk was initially facing one count of felony arson. Mahkuk’s attorney, Britt Cotter Samuel Mahkuk of Polson, explained to the court that both the defense and the state’s expert fire investigators could not find “any direct evidence” the fire was caused by arson. According to court records, on May 29, Polson Police and Polson Fire were paged out to a report of a camper on fire. At the scene, witnesses told police that Mahkuk was the suspect as he had been bothering the woman who lives in the camper and her dad, the registered owner of the camper. The witness stated that Mahkuk allegedly threatened to burn the camper multiple times in the past and had threatened to kill the father. Another witness reported seeing Mahkuk knock on the door of the camper and leave in a red Mazda right before the fire started. When interviewed by police, Mahkuk admitted to being in a red car that night. The camper’s value was estimated at $7,000. Cotter told the court that a plea agreement recommends a 10-year suspended sentence that will either run consecutive or concurrent to charges of assault on a peace officer Mahkuk is facing in the state of Kansas. Cotter said his client also has a prior drug conviction in that state. Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher set sentencing for Dec. 16. The judge is not bound by the plea agreement and reserved the right to reject it.
