Thompson to serve two years after suspended sentence revoked for repeated violations

Lincoln County District Judge Matthew Cuffe revoked Aug. 10 the suspended sentence of a Polson woman who allegedly has a history of trouble following parole conditions.

Shanley Thompson, 29, of Polson will serve two years with the state Department of Corrections and undergo substance abuse treatment.

Lincoln County authorities first arrested Thompson in June 2017 after responding to a report of a vehicle parked at the rear pump of a local gas station for about 30 minutes. In an affidavit, Deputy Brent Faulkner recalled questioning two individuals inside the vehicle.

The male driver showed no signs of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the hour-long conversation Faulkner had with the pair. The passenger, identified as Thompson, “was constantly in motion as we talked, consistent with a person that is on a stimulant like methamphetamine,” Faulkner wrote.

Aside from the signs of drug use, Faulkner suspected Thompson might be the victim of domestic violence. She had bruises on her legs and constantly deferred to the male driver, Faulkner wrote.

The driver said the couple was working out problems and “begged me to send them on their way,” Faulkner recalled.

After Faulkner asked to speak privately with Thompson, the male driver admitted that Thompson was on probation in Kalispell. He told Faulkner he had persuaded Thompson to accompany him to Washington state where the two could buy windows and she might detox from drugs.

After getting permission from Thompson’s probation officer to search a portion of the vehicle, Faulkner found a bag with three glass pipes, a baggy containing what later tested positive for two grams of methamphetamine as well as crocheting supplies. Faulkner also found a jar containing about three grams of marijuana and a container of gummy bear gelatins that later tested positive for marijuana.

In September 2018, Thompson pleaded guilty to criminal possession of dangerous drugs and given a two year suspended sentence. Even before the sentencing, Thompson had allegedly run afoul of the terms of her release.

A Kalispell-based probation and parole officer listed violations in 2018, 2019 and 2020. In the most recent incidents, Thompson was arrested in Butte on March 16 despite not having permission to travel there. She admitted to using heroin several days later, another violation of her parole.