courts Stories by Jeff Smith of Anderson Broadcasting for the Valley Journal
Omingo sentenced to eight years POLSON — A St. Ignatius man was committed at District Court in Polson Dec. 15 to a total of eight years with the Montana Department of Corrections with no time suspended. The sentence was in accordance with a re-negotiated plea agreement reached Larrs in District Court at Omingo Polson Dec. 1. Larrs Jalen Omingo, 21, entered a no-contest plea to strangulation of a partner or family member and was committed to the DOC for 5 years with none of that time suspended. In a separate matter, Judge James
Manley committed Omingo to the DOC for three years consecutive to the five years for his involvement in an assault on another inmate at the Lake County jail. The three years will run concurrent to another three years on a parole violation. According to court records, on March 4, Flathead Tribal Police responded to the St. Ignatius area on a report that a female had been assaulted and her vehicle stolen. At the scene, the alleged victim told the responding officer that her boyfriend, Omingo, strangled her and threatened to “do something to her grandmother” if she didn’t give him control of her car. He allegedly wrapped his legs around her stomach and squeezed her throat hard
enough that she could not breathe while issuing the threat. Court records also show that Omingo was already on probation for pointing a gun at people. Omingo was also charged with aggravated assault for his involvement in an altercation in the Lake County jail May 26, that resulted in another inmate suffering facial fractures at the hands of Omingo and two other inmates. A charge of aggravated assault was reduced to criminal endangerment as part of the agreement. Judge Manley gave Omingo credit for having already served 276 days in the Lake County jail. Omingo was also ordered to pay restitution of $4,591.64.
Washburn accepts plea agreement POLSON — Judge James Manley set a sentencing date of March 30 for a Ronan man convicted on felony charges of assault on a peace officer and Billy criminal Washburn mischief. Billy Washburn, 42, entered a no contest plea to the charges at District Court in Polson Dec. 15 by way of mental disease or defect. The plea was entered as part of an agreement that will dismiss one count
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of criminal endangerment at sentencing. According to court records, on March 2, Trooper Julian Gallegos observed a vehicle traveling at 72 miles per hour in a 55 MPH zone. Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Gallegos initiated a traffic stop and identified Washburn as the driver. Washburn refused to comply with Trooper Gallegos and made mention of wanting the trooper to shoot him. Washburn refused to exit the vehicle and drove off and a pursuit was on. Trooper Gallegos observed Washburn pull over to let a passenger out and then kept going.
The pursuit continued onto Beaverhead Road and the trooper performed a “pursuit intervention technique” which forced Washburn’s vehicle off the road. Washburn allegedly used his vehicle to ram Trooper Gallegos’s patrol car causing substantial damage in excess of $1,500. The Trooper fired his service weapon toward Washburn “grazing” him with one shot. Lake County Sheriff ’s Deputy Steve Raymond arrived on scene to back up Trooper Gallegos. An area homeowner happened to be moving logs with a tractor and assisted law enforcement in trying to
block Washburn’s vehicle from moving. Washburn allegedly used his vehicle to ram the tractor causing damage to both the tractor and Washburn’s vehicle. The plea agreement calls for the state recommending Washburn be committed to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services for a total 20 years with 10 years suspended. Washburn will be allowed to argue for a more lenient sentence. He must undergo a review at the State Hospital at Warm Springs to determine treatment options prior to the March 30 sentencing date.
Valley Journal
Christy-Lacounte sentenced to six years POLSON — A St. Ignatius man was committed at District Court in Polson Dec. 15 to the Montana Department of Corrections for a total of six years with none of that time suspended for a string of high-speed pursuits with law enforcement. Shonko Christy-Lacounte, 24, pleaded guilty in District Court in Polson Aug. 11, to felony charges of criminal endangerment and theft. The criminal endangerment charge stems from a pursuit with law enforcement in the Charlo area Jan. 30, 2020. Montana Highway Patrol Shonko Trooper Terry Rosenbaum had Christy-Lacounte attempted to make a traffic stop on a small white car with no bumper, severe front-end damage and no front license plate. The pursuit lasted 29 minutes and forced eight other motorists to take evasive action before it crashed. The theft charge was for stealing a 2001 Nissan Xterra from a relative in Charlo March 3 and spray painting it another color As part of the plea agreement, the state agreed to dismiss without prejudice, two counts of theft involving vehicles, criminal possession of dangerous drugs, and criminal mischief, all felonies. The state could refile the charges if necessary. District Judge James Manley gave Christy-Lacounte credit for 268 days jail time already served.
Hilton pleads guilty as part of plea agreement POLSON — A Great Falls woman admitted to breaking into the Montana State University Flathead Reservation Extension office during a change of plea hearing at District Court in Polson Dec. 15. Crystal Gayle Hilton, 41, was initially charged with two counts of felony burglary. She entered a plea of guilty to one count of see page 9