Courts

Stories by Jeff Smith of Anderson Broadcasting for the Valley Journal

Melvin sentenced for felony DUI Caye pleads not guilty to felony assault

POLSON — A Polson man was committed at District Court in Polson on Dec. 15 to the Montana Department of Corrections for a total of 10 years with six years suspended for felony DUI convictions number four and five. Ron Phillip Melvin, 67, entered a plea of guilty to the charges during an earlier court appearance. The plea was entered as part of an agreement that dismissed a third DUI.

According to court records, Melvin was arrested for DUI on July 28, 2021. He was issued a citation and released from custody, but missed his court date and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Melvin was picked up on the warrant May 4, 2022, and allegedly was driving while intoxicated again. Again he was cited, booked and released then failed to make his court appearance and another warrant was issued for his arrest. On Aug. 27, Melvin was arrested for another DUI. This time Melvin was not released from jail and instead his bond was set at $10,000 for each of the three arrests.

Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher gave Melvin credit for having already served 108 days in jail and recommended he be screened for the state’s residential alcohol treatment program.

POLSON — A Polson man who is accused of pointing a firearm at a group of people fighting is facing criminal charges. Nathan Caye, 21, entered a plea of not guilty at District Court in Polson on Dec. 21 to two counts of felony assault with a weapon.

According to court records, on Nov. 26, Polson police were dispatched to a report of a fight at the VFW tavern in Polson. Upon arrival police observed multiple people engaged in an altercation on the sidewalk in front of the VFW. As police approached the scene several people indicated that someone had a firearm. Police observed a male attempting to leave the scene. He was ordered to stop and speak with them. The man, instead, grabbed an object from his waistband and discarded it into a nearby garden planter. Police quickly moved in and detained the man. Police found the firearm in the garden planter. Surveillance at the tavern shows Caye as the one with the gun. At one point the video shows Caye point the firearm at one male, then a second male and finally at a crowd of people.

Judge Molly Owen set the case for trial June 5. Caye is at liberty.

Aguilar pleads not guilty to third assault

POLSON — A Ronan man is accused of punching his wife in the face during an argument. Gonzalo J. Aguilar, 37, entered a plea not guilty at District Court in Polson on Dec. 21 to felony partner or family member assault, third or subsequent offense.

According to court records, on Dec. 8, law enforcement responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in Ronan. At the scene the alleged victim indicated that her husband, Aguilar, had punched her in the face after the two had argued and that he was intoxicated at the time. Records show Aguilar has two prior convictions for partner or family member assault, one in Butte city court in 2019 and one in Lewis & Clark Justice Court in 2021.

Judge Molly Owen set the case for trial June 5.

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