courts Stories by Jeff Smith of Anderson Broadcasting for the Valley Journal
Alsup pleads not guilty to theft, assault
POLSON — A Ronan man is accused of stealing a car that was left running and then assaulting a law enforcement officer after he was in custody. Bart Lee Alsup, 33, entered a plea of not guilty at District Court in Polson Feb. 16 to felony charges of theft and assault on a peace or judicial officer. According to court records, on Jan. 26, a man reported to law
enforcement that he had driven to the Town Pump gas station in Ronan. He left his car idling in the parking lot while he went inside because it was cold out. When he came out, his car was gone. Police were able to identify Alsup as the suspect through the store’s video surveillance. Alsup was seen driving the stolen car later that day in Pablo and arrested.
Then on Jan. 28, Alsup allegedly punched a detention officer in the face while filling out a health questionnaire. He later admitted that he lost his temper when he allegedly punched the detention officer. Judge James Manley set sentencing for July 18. Alsup remains in the Lake County jail with bail set at $25,000.
Zambrana pleads guilty to drug possession POLSON — A Pablo woman was committed to the Montana Department of Corrections at District Court in Polson Feb. 17 to Dolly Zambrana a total of five years with no time suspended
for dealing drugs. Dolly Blue Zambrana, 45, entered a plea of guilty to criminal possession with intent to distribute during an earlier court appearance. The plea was entered as part of a plea agreement that dismisses two other drug possession charges. According to court records, on Feb. 1, 2021, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant
on Zambrana’s residence due to a high volume of known drug users coming and going from it. Officers located and seized 26 grams of methamphetamine and a digital scale with meth residue on it from one bedroom. More meth and syringes were located in a second bedroom. Zambrana was already facing one count of crim-
inal possession of dangerous drugs. That charge also stems from a search warrant executed at the same residence on Feb. 5, 2020. Officers say at that time they located syringes loaded with meth and two digital scales. Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher gave Zambrana credit for already serving 101 days in jail and or treatment.
Foster pleads not guilty to felony theft
POLSON — A Ronan man is accused of stealing a firearm from a Polson residence. Michael John Foster, 38, entered a plea of not guilty at District Court in Polson Feb. 16 to felony theft. According to court records, a Ronan Police officer had responded to a report of a domestic disturbance at an area residence 8 - February 23, 2022
Jan. 26. At the scene, the officer observed Foster attempting to hide a model 53 Smith & Wesson gun. The officer had knowledge that the gun was reported as sto-
Michael Foster
len from an elderly person in Polson. When confronted by a Lake County Sheriff ’s Detective, Foster admitted that he took the gun. He said he took the gun to protect himself against Mexican cartels. The total value of the gun exceeds $1,500. Judge James Manley set a trial date of July 18. Valley Journal
National Missing Children’s Poster Contest announced News from OPI
HELENA — Superintendent Elsie Arntzen and Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced the theme for this year’s National Missing Children’s Poster contest is: “Bringing Our Missing Children Home.” The contest is open to all Montana fifth-grade students. This is the 13th year that Montana students have participated in the contest. The 2021 winner was Claire Swanson from Ms. Kim Gilligan’s class at Townsend Elementary School. Students must meet the following criteria: original and handcrafted art; 8 ½ x 14 inches; include the words “Bringing Our Missing Children Home”; include a written application, which includes a description of the poster and a brief biography of the artist; submissions must be received by Feb. 28. The posters cannot contain digitally produced images, collages, cut-outs, or stamping. The poster will be judged on originality, creativity, the use of color and materials, and the reflection of the contest theme. The written application will be judged on clarity, comprehension, and grammar. “Our Montana students are our state’s most precious treasures. A loss of any child is a loss to any Montana community,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “I encourage all 5th-grade students to bring awareness to our state’s missing children program.” “One missing child is too many. The Montana Department of Justice is committed to bringing home missing children and prosecuting their predators, so they’re put behind bars where they belong,” Attorney General Knudsen said. “This contest is a good reminder to young Montanans to be mindful of their surroundings online and in-person while bringing awareness to this important issue.” The winner of this year’s contest will receive a cash prize of $100, will celebrate with Superintendent Arntzen and Attorney General Knudsen, and will be entered into the national contest. The national poster winner will win a trip to Washington D.C. and will participate in the National Missing Children’s Day ceremony on May 25, 2022. In Montana, 69 children have been located through 51 AMBER Alerts since 2003. The Montana Department of Justice issues AMBER Alerts through CodeRed. To view the current list of missing Montanans and for more information on AMBER Alerts and Montana’s Missing Persons programs visit: https://dojmt.gov/missing-persons/. Submit posters and applications to: Montana Department of Justice, Missing Persons Clearinghouse, 2225 11th Ave., PO Box 201406, Helena, MT 59620
