Donoghue faces revocation of suspended sentence

Kathleen Marie Donoghue faces the revocation of her suspended sentence after failing to report to her probation officer.

Authorities arrested Donoghue at a gas station in Lincoln County in late 2019. According to court documents, sheriff’s office deputies responded to U.S. Highway 2 after a man reported picking up a hitchhiker who later refused to exit his vehicle.

During a subsequent search, deputies reported finding marijuana, clonazepam and methamphetamine among her belongings.

Initially facing a bevy of charges, she entered an Alford plea to a single count of criminal possession of dangerous drugs after striking a deal with prosecutors.

In an Alford plea, a defendant acknowledges the weight of evidence against them while maintaining their innocence.

In March 2020, Donoghue received a suspended, three-year sentence before getting extradited to Washington state, where she faced other charges. According to Probation Officer Steve Watson’s account, a judge there ordered Donoghue to remain in Washington in December 2020. To comply with the terms of her sentence in Lincoln County, it was decided that she would report via phone.

But repeated requests for contact went unheeded, according to Watson’s account.

“[Donoghue] kept making excuses and would not report to the probation office as ordered,” Watson wrote.

He recommended a bench warrant be issued and Donoghue receive no credit for time served.

“[Donoghue] has never paid towards court ordered fees and never complied with court ordered treatment,” Watson wrote.

Donoghue also faces charges in Flathead County, according to Watson, though those stem from before her arrest in Lincoln County. A bench warrant has been since issued.

Back in Lincoln County District Court on April 5, Donoghue denied the allegations. Her defense attorney asked for at least two months to prepare for a contested hearing. County Attorney Marcia Boris said she could be ready in about a week for the half-day hearing.