The following cases were heard in district court in Jefferson County July 19.
Jay Michael Robertson, Livingston, changed his plea to guilty of felony assault on a police officer and aggravated driving while under the influence. In exchange for his admission, charges of misdemeanor possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving with a suspended or revoked license, and violating the open container law were dismissed. The charges arose from a May 4 incident that began with a fight in a Whitehall parking lot. Robertson drove away from the parking lot and then fought police efforts. Tests indicated he had a blood alcohol content of .171, more than twice the legal limit. District Judge Luke Berger ordered a pre-sentence investigation into Robertson and allowed him to be released pending further court action. While out on probation, Robertson may not leave the state, possession alcohol or illegal drugs, visit bars or contact witnesses and victims. He also may not drive until it is legal for him to do so and must submit to alcohol monitoring, said the judge. Sentencing will take place after completion of the pre-sentence investigation.
Chad J. Fetty changed his plea to guilty of felony possession of dangerous drugs and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. He admitted using methamphetamine at Delmoe Lake and then driving in the Whitehall area, where he was involved in an accident. In exchange for his guilty plea, an original charge of intent to distribute drugs was reduced. Fetty was sentenced to three years for the drug possession and fined $500. He was also ordered to spend 180 days in jail for the paraphernalia offense and given credit for 171 days already served. The two sentences are to run concurrent, said Judge Luke Berger. In addition, Fetty was ordered to undergo a chemical dependency evaluation at his own expense and submit a DNA sample.
After admitting she violated her probationary sentence for a second time, Deborah Lynn Reninger had her probation revoked July 19. Reninger was originally sentenced to five years, all suspended, for theft from a Montana City home and to six months suspended for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Earlier this year she admitted violating her probation and was given another suspension that included an order to undergo drug treatment. Last week she admitted she failed to complete drug treatment and was sentenced to five years with the Department of Corrections for the theft and 180 days for the vehicle offense, with the two running concurrent. She was given 132 days already served.
Beau Peterson of Boulder told the court July 19 he is not guilty of strangulation of a partner or family member, a felony. The charges stem from an alleged June 20 incident at 4 a.m. Bond was set at $15,000 and Peterson was ordered not to leave the state, have any contact with victims or witnesses, associate with any felons, possess alcohol, illegal drugs or firearms or visit bars.
Final pre-trial motions were heard in the case of Daniel A. Johnson, whose trial is set for August 2. Johnson is charged with felony assault with a weapon, misdemeanor partner/ family member assault and drunk driving in connection with an October 15 incident in Boulder.
