Judge Presides Over District Court Hearings

John David Panasuk will spend time in a recovery center after admitting to violating his parole conditions again.

Panasuk admitted to three probation violations during a district court hearing in April.

Based on a joint agreement, the state and defense recommended that Panasuk attend an in-person treatment center in Columbia Falls and that his 15-year suspended sentence be reimposed. Defense attorney Shannon Sweeney said during the hearing on Tuesday, May 27, that the recovery center had room for Panasuk immediately.

District Judge Benjamin Fosland noted that when Panasuk was sentenced in February for violating the conditions of his suspended sentence, the judge told Panasuk, “This is the last go around we will do here.”

Fosland said he was leaning toward a tougher sentence until hearing the recommendations from the two attorneys.

“Quite honestly, I have a little bit of issue with that,” Fosland said of the joint agreement. “I’m going to agree reluctantly, very reluctantly.”

The judge said his plan prior to the hearing was to sentence Panasuk to 15 years. He said he usually doesn’t go back on what he says.

“Trust me ... This will not happen again in my court,” Fosland said to Panasuk.

The sentence includes that Panasuk attends and successfully completes the treatment program.

Also during the day in district court, Cheryle White Hawk made not guilty pleas to criminal possession of dangerous drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia.

An omnibus hearing was scheduled for July 16.

Whitley Raquel Arredondo Adams admitted to four violations of her parole. The joint recommendation is to have her three-year deferred sentence reimposed and have her misdemeanor charge dismissed. Under the recommendation, Adams will spend seven days in jail. The date for her disposition was scheduled for June 24.