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 in District Court at 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 Larrs and two other inmates. A charge of Omingo 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 criminal 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 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 SerBilly Washburn vices 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.

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 Trooper Terry Rosenbaum had 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.

Shonko Christy-Lacounte

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

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Hilton pleads guilty

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burglary as part of a plea agreement that will dismiss at sentencing the second count.

According to charging documents, on Aug. 9 Polson Police officer Alan Booth responded to a report of a possible break-in at the building located at 701 1st St E. Upon arriving officer Booth observed a female sitting outside the building. After speaking with the person who reported the break-in, officer Booth learned that a coat had been taken and that another break-in at the Indian Senior citizens center had occurred. As Booth was leaving, he noticed the female sitting outside, later identified as Hilton, was wearing the coat that was stolen. She was taken into custody and booked into jail on two counts of burglary.

The plea agreement recommends the imposition of sentencing being deferred for three years.

Judge James Manley set sentencing for February 9.

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McIntyre pleads guilty to felony DUI

By Jeff Smith of Anderson Broadcasting for the Valley Journal

POLSON – A St. Ignatius man pleaded guilty in District Court at Polson Dec. 15 to what Lake County Attorney Steve Eschenbacher says is his eighth DUI. Raymond Burton McIntyre, 48, was charged with felony DUI stemming from a pursuit with law enforcement last summer.

According to court records, on Aug. 7, as law enforcement officers were patrolling U. S. Highway 93, they observed a motorcycle pass them driving in the opposite direction with no taillights. The officers began to pursue the motorcycle to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver refused to stop. The motorcycle turned onto Hawkins Road and traveled west bound before sliding into a ditch. The rider, later identified as McIntyre, denied having consumed alcohol. He refused a preliminary breath test. Officers obtained a search warrant for a blood draw at St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson. The blood draw showed McIntyre’s blood alcohol content at .218.

Eschenbacher says although this is McIntyre’s eighth lifetime DUI, it is his first felony, as the other DUI convictions occurred in another jurisdiction.

A plea agreement recommends McIntyre be committed to 13 months with the Montana Department of Corrections with a recommendation for the state’s alcohol treatment program to be followed by two years of supervised release.

Judge James Manley set sentencing for February 2.

Indian Affairs announces new tool for Missing and Murdered cases

News from the Bureau of Indian Affairs

WASHINGTON —The Bureau of Indian Affairs announced the launch of its new website dedicated to solving missing and murdered cases in Indian Country. The tool draws attention to unresolved cases involving indigenous persons that the BIA, Office of Justice Services, Missing and Murdered Unit is working on and invites the public to help law enforcement solve those cases. The announcement comes as Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Bryan Newland participates in a panel on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Crisis at the Western Governors Association Winter Meeting.

“The Missing and Murdered Indigenous peoples crisis has plagued Indian Country for too long, with cases often going unsolved and unaddressed,” said Bryan

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