By Alan Sorensen
One man recently pleaded guilty to a felony driving offense, another received judgment for violating his probation conditions, and a woman admitted violating several conditions of her release.
District Court Judge John Warner extended the suspended sentence for Pete Sutherland, 40, Rocky Boy. He also gave Sutherland credit for street time toward the suspension.
The judge told Sutherland that he must abide by the same conditions as always, with special emphasis on not drinking and not using street drugs, completing at least 28 days of out-patient chemical dependency treatment followed by in-patient treatment, and staying away from Rocky Boy. The judge told Sutherland that failing to abide by the conditions, his next step was likely prison.
In February, Sutherland admitted six drug offenses and failing to pay restitution in violation of his conditions of release. Sutherland had served about seven years of a 25-year prison sentence for the May 16, 1986 stabbing death of Randy Stuker in downtown Havre.
Donny Lynn Ferguson, 22, Box Elder, recently admitted seven violations of her conditions of release on a drug conviction. Ferguson had pleaded guilty July 26, 2000 to selling dangerous drugs on Sept. 16, 1999 in the 100 block of Seventh Avenue.
Ferguson was given an 18-month deferred imposition of sentence provided that she complied with conditions set down in her pre-sentence investigation. The offense carried a prison sentence of between one year and life and a fine of up to $50,000 plus a $20 prosecution fee, $10 domestic violence fee and $5 surcharge.
Ferguson admitted committing a misdemeanor offense, possessing drug paraphernalia, possessing methamphetamine, cocaine and other drugs, and failing to report to her probation officer. She must continue to comply with the conditions in the earlier sentence. She also must complete a chemical dependency evaluation pending sentencing and follow the recommendations of her counselor.
Judge Warner set disposition of Ferguson's case for 2 p.m. April 30.
Jeremy A. Roth, 19, Missoula, was given a three-year deferred imposition of sentence, ordered to serve 24 hours in jail and fined $300 on felony and traffic offenses. He also was ordered to pay $10,000 restitution and told that he must receive special written permission from his probation officer to work at his parents' bar.
Roth pleaded guilty Feb. 7 to felony negligent vehicular assault and driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI). He underwent a pre-sentence investigation.
Roth had a single-vehicle accident west of Fresno on U.S. Highway 2 on June 22, 2000 resulting in another's injuries.
