The following cases were heard in Boulder district court recently.
Christopher Williams told the judge on June 21 that he is not guilty of two counts of criminal endangerment, felony possession of methamphetamine, fleeing law enforcement, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, failing to wear a seatbelt, driving with a suspended or revoked license, and driving with a defective headlight. Law enforcement officials allege he was driving in the Homestake area April 29 when an officer saw one headlight was not working. Instead of stopping for the patrol, Williams drove off the highway onto a dirt road where he abandoned the vehicle and ran, says a charging document. The truck rolled back and hit a tree. A boy and girl, ages 6 and 8, were in the vehicle, say officials. Williams is being held in custody pending further court action.
Michael J. Ferkovich was in court June 21 to face a drunk driving charge. Ferkovich entered a plea of not guilty. Law enforcement officials allege he was driving with a preliminary breath test reading of .294. A conviction would be his fourth or subsequent DUI, making it a felony. Ferkovich was remanded to the sheriff’s office pending further court action. Jesse A. Belling, Clancy, entered not guilty pleas to drug charges in district court June 21. Law enforcement officials say he had amphetamines, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia as well as an expired vehicle registration when stopped May 25 near Jefferson City. The judge ordered him not to leave the state without permission, not to associate with felons, not to possess alcohol, and not to be in any establishments where alcohol is sold for consumption. He was released on $2255 bail pending further court proceedings.
Ray A. McKnight as sentenced June 21 for drunk driving to 13 months in the WATCH alcohol abuse program followed by three years of probation with credit for 29 days served. He was fined $5000 plus court fees and surcharges and ordered to undergo a chemical dependency evaluation, to have an ignition interlock on his vehicles, to remain in the state and to submit a DNA sample.
Gunnar Lee Halvorson told the court June 28 he is not guilty of criminal endangerment. The charge is in connection with a June 6 incident in Whitehall in which Halvorson allegedly shot a gun and threatened to shoot himself. He was given a chance to be released without paying bail if he would submit to a search of his residence to remove firearms before release, but he decided to take a week to consider the offer.
