Defendants Sentenced In Court
Two individuals were sentenced in district court during hearings on Wednesday, March 13.
Based on a joint plea agreement, Weldon Drew received a sentence of five years with the Montana Department of Corrections. Drew was facing four charges including the felony offense of criminal possession of dangerous drugs, fentanyl.
Probation officer Bruce Barstad testified that Drew has struggled with community supervision and that DOC putting him in a treatment facility could be beneficial. After that, Drew might be put in a step-down program in the Billings area.
Drew is receiving credit for 174 days of time served.
“Life will be a lot more fun if you figure it out,” District Judge David Cybulski said to Drew.
Raul Hernandez Gonzales was also sentenced. As part of a plea agreement, Gonzales made guilty pleas to the charges of criminal endangerment, fleeing or eluding a peace officer and obstructing a peace officer.
He was sentenced to 120 days in jail. Deputy county attorney Thomas Bleicher explained that a federal agency is in the process of making charges against Gonzales. “That’s the only reason it makes sense,” Bleicher said of the plea agreement.
Jason Daniel Daugherty made not guilty pleas to the charges of criminal possession of dangerous drugs and criminal possession of drug paraphernalia. His omnibus hearing was scheduled for April 10. Trial was scheduled for July 11.
Jesse Hank Baker III delivered not guilty pleas for the charges of criminal endangerment, fleeing or eluding a peace officer, reckless driving, DUI and driving without a valid license. An omnibus hearing was set for April 10. His trial was scheduled for June 13.
Parker Lee Gray Hawk made not guilty pleas to the charges of criminal possession of dangerous drugs, criminal possession of drug paraphernalia and operating a vehicle without liability insurance in effect. Her omnibus hearing was set for April 23, and her trial was scheduled for July 11.
Riley John Chatterton and Shaun Travis Marchwick each appeared for petition to revoke hearings. The matters were moved to later dates because neither defendant was assigned a public defender yet.
