By Alan Sorensen
Several people, including the seven below, pleaded guilty or were sentenced for their crimes in 12th Judicial District Court in recent weeks.
Garrick Ferguson, 28, Box Elder, pleaded guilty April 21 to theft through insurance fraud. A pre-sentencing investigation was ordered and sentencing was scheduled for 9 a.m. May 21. Ferguson collected $2,558 in Montana Unemployment Insurance Division payments while he was employed. He faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000 plus a $20 prosecution fee, $15 domestic abuse fee, and $5 surcharge. He also could be required to pay restitution plus a 10 percent handling fee and 33 percent penalty.
Verlas R. Chiefstick, 42, Rocky Boy, pleaded guilty to criminal possession of dangerous drugs. He was caught with 18 tablets of Darvocet in his possession at the Hill County Detention Center. on April 12, 2000. A pre-sentence investigation was ordered. Sentencing was set for 9:30 a.m. May 21. Chiefstick faces a prison sentence of up to five years and a fine of up to $50,000 plus fees and surcharges.
James Joseph Sangrey, 17, Havre, pleaded guilty in April to felony robbery and misdemeanor theft. He admitted holding up a First Street store on Nov. 19, 2000 at gun point and stealing more than $100. A pre-sentence investigation was ordered. Sentencing was set for 4 p.m. May 23. Sangrey faces up to 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000 plus fees and surcharges. The misdemeanor charge carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $500 fine plus fees and surcharges.
Leo Allen, 36, Havre, pleaded guilty in April to felony assault on a minor for assaulting a boy, 12, and girl, 10, at a home in the 900 block of West First Street on Nov. 18, 2000. A pre-sentencing investigation was ordered and sentencing was scheduled for 3 p.m. May 17. The maximum penalty for the offense is five years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000 plus surcharges and fees.
Daniel L. Olson, 27, Billings, pleaded guilty April 30 to criminal trespass and felony robbery for burglarizing a Havre greenhouse on Dec. 18 and 19, 2000. A pre-sentence investigation was ordered. Sentencing was set for 3 p.m. June 4. Olson faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000 plus fees and surcharges.
Merrilyn Kay Ricker, 30, Havre, was given a 2-year deferred imposition of sentence on April 30 and ordered to pay $1,375 restitution. She also must abide by conditions in her pre-sentence investigation. Ricker pleaded guilty March 19 to criminal mischief for helping to break windows on a pickup and home in Smithville on Dec. 25, 2000. Damage totaled more than $1,000.
Jeffrey Mosbrucker, 37, Havre, was given a 3-year deferred imposition of sentence on one charge and one-year deferral on another on April. The sentences were to run concurrently and he must abide by conditions in his pre-sentence investigation. On Feb. 9, Mosbrucker pleaded guilty to forgery by common scheme by using someone else's credit card to make purchases between May 20 and June 22, 2000.
