Mountain pleads not guilty to seven Yaak burglary charges

Not guilty, seven times over. That was the plea Monday when Zachary Michael Mountain, 19, was arraigned before District Judge James Wheelis. Mountain faces as many as 140 years in prison for his alleged involvement last year in a string of felony burglaries in the Yaak.

Mountain eluded custody for six months before being arrested in October. He faces seven charges — six counts of burglary and one count of attempted burglary. 

The alleged crimes occurred between September and December 2013. Several cabin dwellers reported the theft of guns, alcohol and other personal items. Almost from the beginning, sheriff’s detectives were directed to Mountain’s possible involvement. 

Mountain’s father, Jerry Mountain, has a residence on Riverview Road, in the approximate location of the six burglaries. Despite evidence such as foot tracks leading to Mountain’s cabin, Jerry Mountain denied his son’s involvement in the burglaries. Detectives spoke with numerous victims and eventually focused on Mike and Stephanie Wallace’s interactions with Zachary Mountain. 

The Wallaces said Jerry and Zachary Mountain gifted them a flat screen television in December 2013 after realizing the Mountain cabin had no space for such a large item. The Wallaces also said Zachary Mountain requested assistance selling a gun to pay for his legal fees. That gun, a .30-30 Winchester Model 94 rifle, had been reported stolen by its previous owner, James Flynn. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office confiscated both the television and gun.

Police records demonstrate a pattern of frustration by sheriff’s deputies with Jerry Mountain. The father was charged with obstruction of justice Oct. 16 after telling authorities for months that his son was out of the state. 

Troy Police Chief Bob McLeod said Jerry Mountain was with his son when Zach was arrested Oct. 7. McLeod was off duty and driving in town when he recognized Mountain. 

Records also suggest the possible involvement of another teenager in the theft. Demitrius Aloyious Darveauz-Czeck, 18, a native of Minnesota, is mentioned numerous times by witnesses in police reports. Darveauz-Czeck is currently wanted on several warrants in Washington County, Minn. 

Zach Mountain is currently being held on $100,000 bond. A bond modification hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Monday.