A previously convicted sex offender who has lived in Montana City for about six years was found guilty February 16 of violating a ten-year-old girl. Gary Steven Hayes was convicted following a two-day jury trial in Jefferson County’s district court. Hayes was previously convicted in 1989 in Flathead County of sexual assault against a minor and ordered to register as a sex offender. After being registered for a few years, he told officials he was moving out of the state and his registration expired.
In 2011, Hayes moved to Johns Street in Montana City and failed to register with Jefferson County as a sex offender. Following the trial, Hayes was ordered jailed without bond pending a psychosexual evaluation and presentence investigation.
In other recent district court cases:
• Tristain Harned of Whitehall entered not guilty pleas to two felony counts of possession of dangerous drugs and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia at a February 22 hearing. Law enforcement alleges Harned had codeine and zolpidem as well as marijuana when arrested January 20. Bond was set at $5000 and Harned was released on condition he remain in the state, avoid alcohol and bars, observe a 9 p.m. curfew except for work and comply with other probationary conditions.
• Chad J. Fetty pleaded not guilty to felony possession of dangerous drugs with intent to distribute and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested January 28 after a vehicle slide off. Because he was already on parole, he was ruled not eligible for release pending further court proceedings.
• Andrew Giulio entered a guilty plea to misdemeanor possession of marijuana. His charges arose after a probation office check on the home of a Basin probationer in whose home Giulio was living. Judge Luke Berger sentenced Giulio to six months of jail, all suspended, and ordered him to pay a $350 fine plus court fees and surcharges.
• Christine M. Legare of Helena changed her plea to guilty of misdemeanor assault, admitting she assaulted a security officer. A charge of felony drug possession was dropped. She was sentenced to 180 days, all suspended, and fined $250.
