By Alan Sorensen
Six people pleaded guilty to offenses, admitted probation violations or were sentenced for their offenses in 12th Judicial District Court last week.
Merrilyn Kay Ricker, 20, Havre, pleaded guilty March 19 to criminal mischief. The charge arose from an incident on Dec. 25, 2000 in which a Highland Park resident's vehicles were egged and the windows and lights were broken with baseball bats. Windows in the victims' home also were broken. Damage to the home was estimated at $2,600 at the time.
A pre-sentence investigation was ordered and Ricker's sentencing was set for 2:30 p.m. April 30.
The maximum penalty for the offense is 10 years in prison and a $50,000 fine plus a $20 prosecution fee, $10 domestic violence fee and $5 surcharge.
Dustin J. Burckhard, 18, Havre, was given a 6-year deferred imposition of sentence March 23 with credit for 70 days already served. He was ordered to pay restitution of at least $75 per month, but hopefully as much as $200 and $300 per month. He must abide by conditions set in his pre-sentence investigation and pay surcharges and fees. Burckhard pleaded guilty earlier to forging and cashing a college roommate's checks for more than $10,000 in September and October of last year.
Timothy T. Hall, 31, Havre, pleaded guilty March 27 to forgery by common scheme. Hall wrote checks belonging to a Havre business for a total of more than $2,300 between Aug. 10 and 16, 2000.
District Court Judge John Warner ordered a pre-sentence investigation and set sentencing for 9 a.m. July 9.
Hall faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000 plus a $25 prosecution fee, $10 domestic violence fee and $5 surcharge.
Matthew Michael Converse, 23, Great Falls, admitted failing to sign up with a probation officer, to register as a violent offender, to do DNA testing, to complete chemical dependency evaluation and to participate in anger management counseling. Converse was ordered to serve the seven days left on his sentence.
Converse pleaded guilty Nov. 17 to partner assault and was given an 18-month deferred imposition of sentence. He also was sentenced to 30 days in jail with credit for six days served. Converse was given the option of completing in-patient chemical dependency treatment in lieu of jail time. He also was ordered to pay a $500 fine, with the stipulation that the fine would be suspended if he completed treatment. The crime occurred July 14 at a residence Converse shared with his girlfriend in Havre.
Reuben Nathanial McDowell, 25, Box Elder, pleaded guilty to criminal possession of dangerous drugs for an incident with methamphetamines in Havre on Oct. 5, 2000. The judge ordered a pre-sentence investigation and set sentencing for 10:30 a.m. May 7. McDowell was released until sentencing.
The maximum penalty for the offense is 5 years in prison and a $50,000 fine plus a $20 prosecution fee, $10 domestic violence fee and $5 surcharge.
Jeremy Lucas Walker, 18, Hays, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor criminal trespass and was given a one-year deferred imposition of sentence. Walker also was ordered to pay $215 restitution and all fees and surcharges. The charge stemmed from entry to a garage in the 1100 block of Cleveland Avenue on July 10, 2000.
