Sentence revocation sought for Lyght

Authorities seek to revoke the deferred, three-year sentence of a Libby woman who pleaded guilty to criminal possession of dangerous drugs late last year.

Crystal Star Lyght, 33, appeared back in Lincoln County District Court on Jan. 6 after Libby Parole and Probation Officer Darrell Vanderhoef cited multiple violations of the terms of her sentence. Lyght denied the allegations.

In an affidavit, Vanderhoef wrote that Lyght failed to report to her initial appointment with his office after her Sept. 30 sentencing. She reported on Oct. 2, but tested positive for methamphetamine, court documents said.

Admitted to the Montana Chemical Dependency Center for 30 days of inpatient treatment on Oct. 8, Lyght reported back to the Libby Probation Office on Oct. 21 after checking out early.

She associated with known active addicts and used drugs, Vanderhoef wrote. After being told to report daily to the probation office, Lyght stopped checking in on Nov. 7, court documents said.

Authorities recommend the court revoke her deferred sentence and send Lyght to the department of corrections for five years.

Deputies initially arrested Lyght in April 2019 after Brandon Holzer, a narcotics detective, spotted her vehicle driving erratically on U.S. Highway 2 in Libby. When she pulled over, Holzer and Deputy Brent Faulkner approached her vehicle.

Lyght told them she was driving poorly because of a neck spasm, according to court documents. After she consented to a search of her vehicle, the lawmen found a green fanny pack containing a silver lip balm container. Opening it, they found a white, crystal substance consistent with methamphetamine, Holzer wrote.

It later tested positive for the drug, according to court documents.

Describing Lyght in a second affidavit, Faulkner wrote, “She seemed nervous and was shaking.” That changed after they discovered methamphetamine, he recalled.

“I told Lyght that she was under arrest and handcuffed her,” Faulkner wrote. “Lyght thanked us and said she needed help. She appeared to be relieved that a law enforcement intervention had begun.”

During the arrest, Lyght also allegedly told the lawmen about an unused syringe in her pocket.

As part of her subsequent plea deal, prosecutors dropped charges of criminal possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under the influence of drugs.

An adjudication hearing on the petition to revoke her sentence is scheduled in district court Jan. 16. She is being held on a $10,000 bond.