Suspended sentence revoked for Danelson

A Libby woman serving a suspended sentence for smuggling drugs into the Lincoln County jail in 2018 was sent to the state Department of Corrections on Feb. 10 after violating her probation.

Montessa Lynn Danelson, 37, will serve five years in state prison and undergo substance abuse treatment after striking a deal with prosecutors. Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Danelson in December after they found her outside of a home recently raided for drugs on Avenue B. She had an outstanding warrant for being in violation of her probation.

In exchange for Danelson admitting having violated the terms of her probation, prosecutors dropped a felony count of criminal possession of dangerous drugs and a misdemeanor charge of criminal possession of drug paraphernalia.

During her arrest in December, deputies found a half-gram of methamphetamine, a small bag with a crystal-like substance, glass spoon and a vial of saline solution, according to court documents.

Danelson was on probation after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors in June 2019 on multiple charges stemming from an incident where she smuggled drugs into the county detention center. But authorities said she never followed the terms of her suspended sentence.

Writing in an affidavit, Probation Officer Darrell Vanderhoef reported that Danelson tested positive for methamphetamine eight times since her sentencing and refused to comply with follow-up requirements.

“She was also ordered, due to illegal drug use violations, to report daily, which she has failed to do since Oct. 10, 2019,” Vanderhoef wrote.

In the affidavit, which was written before Danelson’s arrest in December, Vanderhoef noted that her whereabouts were unknown and it was impossible to find her.

On Feb. 10, Danelson admitting to violating the portion of her probation related to submitting regular written reports to her supervising officer and making personal contact when directed. Lincoln County District Judge Matthew Cuffe ordered her sent to the corrections department shortly thereafter.

Danelson’s most recent legal troubles began in December 2018. A county resident called the authorities after Danielson and her boyfriend refused to leave her home. The two arrived uninvited and began using drugs, the resident told law enforcement, according to court documents.

During a search of the couple’s vehicles, investigators found needles, cotton and tourniquets, a cook tin, mobile phones, chopped up oxycodone pills, clonazepam pills and a loaded .40-caliber Taurus handgun, court documents said. Authorities were working on a tip from an informant, who said the duo brought drugs into Lincoln County.

It was during the subsequent stay in the county jail that authorities said Danelson smuggled drugs. Several inmates told investigators that they had used drugs brought in by Danelson.