The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Michael Sullivan, judge

September 27, 2009

State versus Samuel Larry Longtain: A charge of residential burglary/domestic violence was dismissed; the state said there was insufficient evidence to prove the charge.

State versus Randall Wade Montgomery: A jury found the defendant guilty earlier in September of charges of possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver within 1,000 feet of a school or a school bus route, possession of methamphetamine, and use of drug paraphernalia. He was ordered to serve 26 months in prison and to pay a $500 Crime Victim Assessment (CVA), $1,000 fine, $100 DNA collection fee and the cost of his court-appointed attorney.

State versus Sigrin Wayne Hjaltalin, 24: The defendant pled guilty to charges of assault in the third degree/domestic violence; possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and tampering with a witness. He was ordered to serve 51 months in jail and to pay a $500 CVA, $100 domestic violence assessment, $1,000 fine, and $100 DNA fee.

State versus Brian Lee Arness, 25: The defendant pled guilty to a charge of harassment/domestic violence. He was ordered to serve 365 days in jail, with 362 suspended on conditions, and to pay a $500 CVA, $230 court costs, a domestic violence assessment and the cost of his court appointed attorney and also to have a substance abuse evaluation.

State versus Dwight Mark Thornell, 32, Skamokawa: The court rescheduled a trial on charges of burglary and theft of materials from the fairgrounds and Helping Hands Food Bank last May to December 13 and 14. A hearing on possible extradition to another state was continued.

State versus James Derek Cheeks, 46, Skamokawa: The defendant entered a not-guilty plea to charges of tampering with a witness, malicious mischief in the third degree and interfering with the reporting of domestic violence. A trial was scheduled for December 13.

State versus Alex John Dietrich, 32: The defendant pled not-guilty to a charge of computer trespass in the third degree. The state charges that the defendant, an inmate in the Wahkiakum County jail, used a computer in the jail booking area to go to porn sites while he was cooking dinner for the other inmates. A trial was scheduled for December 14.

State versus Paul Edward Hartman, 44, Longview: The defendant pled not-guilty to charges of possession of methamphetamine, possessing less than 40 grams of marijuana, driving while license suspended, and use of drug paraphernalia. The state said that citizens pointed out a vehicle that the defendant had been driving to Wahkiakum Sheriff's deputies and said the occupants were drinking alcohol and using drugs. The deputies approached the occupants, obtained permission to search, and found a drug pipe with marijuana residue and plastic bag containing crystal meth. A trial was scheduled for November 23.

State versus Tina Marie Hartman, 32, Longview: The defendant pled not-guilty to charges of possession of methamphetamine and use of drug paraphernalia. A trial was scheduled for November 23.

In reference to the marriage of Michael D. Wright, petitioner, and Megan M. Matthews-Wright, respondent: The court signed an order of dissolution of marriage and changed the wife's name to Megan Marie Matthews.