News

Billings man denies multiple sex offenses against young teen

A Billings man has denied multiple sexual assault charges involving a young teenage girl, whom he allegedly threatened to shoot if she did not comply.

James Robert Patterson, 20, appeared in custody last Thursday in 22nd Judicial District Court and pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of sexual intercourse without consent, one felony count of sexual assault, one felony count of intimidation and one misdemeanor count of unlawful restraint.

Chinese man pleads guilty to possessing 70 pounds of marijuana on Interstate 90

A Chinese man who lives in New York was in Stillwater County district court last week and admitted to his role in possessing 70 pounds of marijuana in a vehicle on I-90 in January 2018.

Bing Yuan Liang, 46, appeared in 22nd Judicial District Court last Thursday and pleaded guilty to one felony count of criminal possession of dangerous drugs with the intent to distribute.

Under the terms of a plea agreement, the Stillwater County Attorney’s Office will recommend a deferred sentence. Sentencing was set for Feb. 21.

Charges stand in Holtz homicide case

A former Absarokee man charged in a 2013 negligent homicide case has lost a bid to have the case dismissed.

Michael Holtz had asked a district judge to dismiss the case against him based on insufficient probable cause for the charges and improper refiling of the charges after prosecutors had dismissed them without prejudice.

In a ruling issued at the end of December, District Judge Blair Jones denied both motions.

WHAT THE DEFENSE MOTIONS ALLEGED

Law Enforcement Blotter

The Columbus Police Department, Stillwater County Sheriff’s Office and Montana Highway Patrol responded to 173 calls for service during the seven days listed below. The following is a representation of some of those calls:

MONDAY –  DEC. 31

Jail Roster

As of Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019, the following people were incarcerated at the Yellowstone County Detention Facility (YCDF) on Stillwater

County criminal charges at a rate of $100 per day or at another jail:

• Name: Michael L. Kroh, 57 Incarc. Date: Feb. 23, 2018 Charge(s): Warrant Bail: No bail

Wrestlers take second at Columbus Invitational

The Columbus-Absarokee-Park City wrestlers came within one point of winning the team’s home meet last Saturday, propelled by six first place finishes. The Couguskies finished the meet in second place with 172 points; first place Huntley Project ended the day with 173 points. The Red Devils were ranked in the top-10 statewide for Class B-C teams going into the meet. Columbus-Absarokee-Park City beat third place Billings Senior by 48.5 points. Cougusky senior Dylan Raihl took the top place in the 152-pound weight class with a perfect 10-0 performance last weekend.

First Class Flier

A bald eagle prepares for flight last week in the Nye area. Eagles are common sites along rivers, particularly during breeding season, which generally runs from March to July, according to the Montana Field Guide. Nesting sites are usually found within larger forested areas and nests are built in the tallest, oldest trees.

A fresh start

With the new year came a new look for the Stillwater County Board of Commissioners.

Tyrel Hamilton served in his first meeting as a commissioner on Tuesday, filling the seat vacated by the retirement of long-time Commissioner Maureen Davey.

Mark Crago was voted to fulfill the duties of the presiding officer (chair) of the board, a position held by Commissioner Dennis Shupak last year.

Along with the new look, comes a new approach to meetings to ensure the commissioners are in touch with the people they serve.

Coming soon

Stillwater County Disaster and Emergency Services (DES) is launching a series of tips on emergency preparedness. Watch for upcoming vital information on emergency preparedness.

In the next few weeks, DES will cover the following subjects:

1. Emergency notifications. How to make sure you are on a notification list.

2. Shelter-in-place

3. Evacuation

Project Hope and the Stillwater Backpack Program

ACF COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

This past summer, the Absarokee Community Foundation (ACF) awarded 15 local non-profit groups grants for projects highlighting various goals of helping to better the Absarokee community.

The ACF board, which gives back to the community annually through its local granting process, distributed nearly $29,000 to these worthy causes.

As part of an ongoing series of articles, the ACF this week highlights recipient Project Hope and its Stillwater Backpack Program.