19th Judicial District Court Recap
Eureka man admits meth possession, probation violation
Win Bock was given three years in state prison with two additional years suspended and screening for placement in a treatment program at his sentencing Feb. 20.
In a plea agreement, Bock admitted to violating his probation from a 2016 drug-related conviction by possessing methamphetamine. Bock had received a five year deferred sentence in 2016.
Bock was arrested in Eureka on Sept. 29, 2017 during a probation check at his residence by Eureka Police Officer Clint Heintz.
Bock admitted to Heintz during the check that he had used meth within the past two days, according to an affidavit. Heintz found pipes with methamphetamine residue in the residence, and Bock tested positive for methamphetamine use.
Libby woman pleads not guilty to hit and run
Patience Patton pleaded not guilty Feb. 20 during her arraignment on charges of failing to stop and render aid after an accident.
The charges stem from a 911 call that came in about 10 a.m. Jan. 17 concerning a pedestrian struck by a car and bleeding from the head, according to an affidavit by Libby Police Officer Ron Buckner.
First responders found Neil Milner lying on the sidewalk across from the entrance to Pioneer Park.
Jeffrey Robertson, who said he was the original 911 caller, said he heard the accident. He told Buckner that he saw a light blue passenger car similar to a Toyota Corolla leaving the scene west on Balsam Street. He said he tried unsuccessfully to stop the vehicle.
At the hospital, Milner told Buckner that he was struck from behind while walking next to the curb on Balsam Street and sent airborne.
Milner was sent to surgery for a broken foot and ankle bones, according to Buckner’s affidavit. He also received staples for a laceration on the back of his head and sustained whiplash and bruising to his hip.
An anonymous tip to 911 led Buckner and Lincoln County Sheriff Detective Nate Scofield and Libby Police Chief Scott Kessel to Patton’s address, where they found a light blue Chevy Cruze with a broken windshield, dented hood and a broken plastic bugshield that matched plastic pieces found at the scene of the hit and run.
The Cruze was impounded, but Patton was not found at the residence.
While Buckner was photographing the car, Patton turned herself in at the Sheriff’s Office.
In her interview with law enforcement, Patton admitted to taking Valium the night before and having a shot of whiskey at 6:30 a.m. “to start her day off,” according to Buckner’s affidavit.
Patton said she was trying to run an errand when she began to feel drowsy, and decided to return to her residence. She stated that she believed she fell asleep at the wheel as she turned onto Balsam Street.
Patton told police she woke up after hearing a thump, and believed she had struck a blue garbage can.
Patton refused a blood draw during the interview with Buckner.
Unpaid restitution puts deferred embezzlement sentence in jeopardy
A Eureka woman may face up to ten years, $50,000 in fines and still have to pay remaining restitution after failing to meet a court-ordered restitution schedule.
Amy Chalcraft pleaded guilty in August 2016 to embezzling $8,250.13 from the Trego/Fortine/Stryker Fire Department between December 2014 and November 2015.
Chalcraft appeared Feb. 20 in 19th Judicial District Court on a petition to revoke her deferred sentence.
Her attorney, Liam Gallagher, told Judge Matt Cuffe he was working on a resolution with Lincoln County Attorney Marcia Boris. He said if they are unable to reach a resolution, he will need to discuss Chalcraft’s ability to pay.
Gallagher requested time to work on a resolution, and Cuffe set a status hearing for March 5.