By Alan Sorensen
Three men were sentenced for their crimes in 12th Judicial District Court last week.
Charles Joseph Caplette, 33, Havre, was sentenced to six years in Montana State Prison on a burglary charge and six years on a charge of criminal sale of dangerous drugs. The sentences were to be served concurrently and the last two years of each sentence were suspended with conditions. Caplette was recommended for Boot Camp. Caplette also was sentenced to 60 days in jail on a misdemeanor theft charge with credit for 33 days served with conditions. He must pay restitution and supervisory fees, but the fine and other fees were waived.
The burglary charge stemmed from the theft of about $2,200 worth of tools from a business in the 100 block of First Street on Jan. 26, 2000. The drug charge involved the sale of cocaine to an undercover informant with the Tri-Agency Drug Task Force at a Havre bar on Jan. 28, 2000. The misdemeanor theft arose from an incident on Feb. 2, 2000 in which Caplette took $250 of Task Force money from an informant for drugs. Caplette disappeared into an apartment complex on First Street North East with the cash without providing the drugs.
Caplette pleaded guilty to all of the charges on July 12, 2000.
Leonard J. Stanley, 37, Box Elder, was sentenced to nine months with the Department of Corrections for fourth offense driving while under the influence of alcohol (DUI). He was given credit for 92 days served plus another 18 months with Montana State Prison suspended. Stanley also was given credit for time already served for driving with a suspended driver's license and without proof of liability insurance. He was told not drive without his probation officer's written permission.
Joseph Frank Larson, 27, Havre, pleaded guilty Feb. 23 to criminal possession of dangerous drugs, partner assault third offense, misdemeanor resisting arrest and misdemeanor criminal trespass to property. Larson was sentenced to five years in Montana State Prison on the drug charge. He was sentenced to three years for partner assault, and six months suspended on the two misdemeanor charges.
The drug charge involved methamphetamine that was found inside a receipt inside his pocket while he was being booked into Hill County Detention Center on May 12, 2000. The other three charges resulted from his assault on his girlfriend on Jan. 1, 2001 and his efforts to escape capture.
