Courthouse Report

SUPERIOR COURT

John F. Strohmaier, Judge

Criminal Sentencings

Curtis P. Onco III, 45, of Yakima, pleaded guilty May 7 to making or possessing motor vehicle theft tools, amended as a result of a plea agreement with prosecutors from second-degree taking a motor vehicle without the owner’s permission. His sentence included 53 days jail (credited as served) and payment of $700 court assessments. He also waived extradition to Montana and will return there to face a probation violation charge. His Lincoln County matter involved a traffic stop on March 15 on Interstate 90 that resulted in the recovery of a stolen vehicle and the arrests of Onco and two others.

Extradition orders also were approved for Brandon Cleveland, 22, of Spokane, who was sentenced April 2 in Lincoln County for second-degree identity theft and will return to Kootenai County, Idaho, for failing to appear for possession of a controlled substance; and Delanie Rae Pierre, who will return to Montana, where she is charged with possessing methamphetamine.

Juvenile Offender Disposition

Preston Edward Tupper, 16, of Sprague, entered an Alford (guilty) plea March 26 to a charge of second-degree assault in connection with a March 3 incident in Sprague during which a 12-year-old boy suffered deep cuts to his arm, requiring treatment at a Spokane hospital, from a 36-inch-long Samurai sword. Accompanying his plea was a statement that he “did not intend to hurt anyone.” His sentence includes 15 to 36 weeks of detention, with 23 days credited as served, community supervision to be determined, DNA testing, and a ban on firearms. He also must have no contact with the victim and can no longer attend school at Sprague.

New Criminal Cases

Christie Elizabeth (Saucier) Melton, 41, of Sprague, is charged with first-degree theft and money laundering in a matter that the Washington State Auditor’s Office indicated could involve a total loss of about $10,554 to the City of Sprague. While employed as city clerk-treasurer, she improperly used the city’s fuel cards for personal purchases, according to the charging document filed with the court, and modified records involving payroll, personal leave, travel reimbursements and time sheets for herself and her now-husband, Shawn R. Melton, 45, a former city public works employee, between Jan. 20, 2016, and May 30, 2018, when both left their municipal positions and subsequently married. Mr. Melton was charged with second-degree theft in July of last year.

Travis S. Walters, 24, of Lamont, is charged with possessing methamphetamine and heroin in a matter involving a June 24, 2018, traffic stop in Sprague.

Janet L. Bacon, 57, of Edwall and/or Mead, is charged with obtaining a legend drug (oxycodone) by fraud in connection with Davenport Good Neighbor Pharmacy’s refusal to fill an order on March 8 after staff suspected the doctor’s signature had been forged on an altered prescription.

New Juvenile Offender Matter

A 14-year-old Reardan boy is charged with second-degree taking a motor vehicle without the owner’s permission in connection with incidents from May 5 to 8 in Reardan that involved a Toyota pickup truck. A deputy’s statement filed with the court indicated that the juvenile had admitted taking another vehicle as well.

New Civil Cases

Seeking quiet title to property in Sec. 9, T21N, R33E, petitioner Michael McAuliffe, personal representative of the estate of Donna Kittilson, filed a matter involving respondents Jared T. Caudill, Aric B. Frank (also known as Erik Frank), Harley Frank, Justin G. Harrison, Selena Kennedy (Selena M. Frank), Coire J. Kittilson, Mark A. Wagner, Robert R. Wagner, Randall J. Wagner and several unnamed individuals thought to be potential heirs of Dorothy A. Grening.

The court on May 7 granted a four-month sexual assault protection order requested by Rebecca E. Meincke, of Harrington, against Andrew C. Niccolls, of Spokane Valley. The matter involves a minor child.

Probate

Will only of Delbert E. Copenhaver, of Creston.

Estate of Arthur F. Winter, of Odessa, who died March 24.

Small estate affidavit for Kimberly Ann Orosco, of Loon Lake, who died March 23.

Estate of Joyce Lynn Stubbs, of Spokane, who died April 10.

Estate of Delores N. Cook, of Odessa, who died April 14.

DISTRICT COURT

Dan B. Johnson, Judge

Editor’s note: These reports are based on forms filled out by the presiding judge during court sessions and subsequently reviewed by the newspaper.

Mary E. Larson, Sprague, second-degree animal cruelty(unnecessary suffering), dismissed as a result of an agreement between prosecutors and the defendant.

Timothy R. Wilken, Sprague, second-degree animal cruelty(unnecessary suffering), dismissed as a result of an agreement between prosecutors and the defendant.

Adam James Busby, Spokane, driving while license suspended, pleaded guilty, 3 days jail converted to 24 hours community service, $643 court assessments, 12 months supervised probation.

Natheena J. Nichols, Edwall, false swearing, pleaded guilty, 1 day jail, $100 court assessments, 12 months unsupervised probation, deferred sentence (may change plea when court’s conditions are met).

Timothy Joseph Hillyard, Davenport, resisting arrest, pleaded guilty, 3 days jail with 2 converted to 16 hours community service, $293 court assessments, 12 months supervised probation; obstructing law enforcement, pleaded guilty, 3 days jail with 2 converted to 16 hours community service; disorderly conduct, dismissed.

Melody Lynn Elwood, Hermiston, Ore., reckless endangerment and driving under the influence, pleaded guilty, 10 days jsil (1 credited as served), $2,803 court assessments, 36 months supervised and 24 months unsupervised probation, alcohol/drug evaluation and recommended treatment, DUI victims' panel, no possession or consumption of alcohol, marijuana or illegal drugs (monitored by random testing), comply with rules and requirements of state Department of Licensing regarding installation and use of a functioning ignition interlock device.

Ricardo Luis Garcia, Spokane, operating motor vehicle without required ignition interlock, pleaded guilty, 2 days jail converted to 16 hours community service, $450 court assessments, 12 months supervised and 12 months unsupervised probation.

Taylor Morris, Kittitas, Wash., driving under the influence, 2 days jail, $4,069.09 court assessments, 36 months supervised and 24 months unsupervised probation, alcohol/drug evaluation and recommended treatment, DUI victims' panel, no possession or consumption of alcohol, marijuana or illegal drugs (monitored by random testing), comply with rules and requirements of state Department of Licensing regarding installation and use of a functioning ignition interlock device.

Danielle Renee Peone, Wellpinit, driving while license suspended, pleaded guilty, 2 days jail converted to 16 hours community service, $293 court assessments, 12 months supervised probation.

Justin John Manasco, Leavenworth, Wash., driving while license suspended, pleaded guilty, 2 days jail converted to 16 hours community service, $450 court assessments, 12 months supervised probation.

Kenneth James Swiger, Davenport, probation violation (domestic violence telephone harassment and stalking), $200 penalty.

Jonathan Jacob Anderson, Grand Coulee, driving while license suspended, dismissed; making false statement to public servant, pleaded guilty, 18 days jail (credited as served).

Daryl D. Cantrell,Spokane, resisting arrest, driving under the influence, vehicle operator refuse to comply, all dismissed at prosecutor’s request.

Scott Charles Hansen, Caldwell, Idaho, passing in a no-passing zone, contested, amended at prosecutor’s request to fail to sign registration, $136 penalty.

Keith Henry Browning, Davenport, disorderly conduct, pleaded guilty, 1 day jail (credited as served), $800 court assessments, 12 months supervised probation.

Orren Francis Staggs, Spokane, fail to transfer title, dismissed at prosecutor’s request.

Danielle Hopper, Reardan, driving while license suspended, pleaded guilty, $150 court assessment, 12 months supervised probation.

MARRIAGE DISSOLUTIONS

Lincoln County Clerk’s Office

New filings: 39 involving persons living outside Lincoln County.

Petitions for legal separation: 5 involving persons living outside Lincoln County.

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

Lincoln County Treasurer’s Office

Mark and Sarah Dafler, Davenport, to Wendy L. Gale, Davenport – property at 820 Main Street, Davenport (Lot 10, Blk. 7, Timmon’s Addition to Town of Davenport), $219,900.

Wade W. Magers, as Lincoln County Sheriff, Davenport, to Wilmington Savings Fund Society (Christiana Trust), Houston, Texas – property at 345 North Aspen Street, Reardan (Lots 2-6, Blk. 4, Original Town of Reardan), $80,548.40.

Steven R. Jantz, Wilbur, to Keith D. and Julie B. Rinaldi, Lincoln – property at 605 Lincoln Street, Davenport (Lots 1-2, Blk. 114, Columbia Addition to City of Davenport), $260,000.

Marilyn Swanda (personal representative, estate of James Allen Swanda), Pasco, Wash., to Marilyn Swanda (trustee, James Allen Swanda Disclaimer Trust), Pasco – Lots 1-5 and portion of Lots 7-10, Blk. 4, Original Addition, Lincoln County, $0.

Joyce L. Nonnemacher, Davenport, to Barbara A. and Earl J. Upshaw, Medical Lake – property at 140 North Birch Street, Reardan (Lots 4-6, Blk. 8, Fairweather Addition to Town of Reardan), $325,000.

Everett Combs, Jr., and Carl Edward Combs, Valleyford, Wash., to Marvin Gordon, Almira – property at 120 South 6th Street, Almira (Lots 13-21, Blk. 32, Original Town of Almira), $28,000.

US Bank National Association (trustee, Blue Water Investment Trust), Greenville, S.C., to Eric M. and Cynthia L. Story, Randle, Wash. – property at 121 South 3rd Street, Almira (Lots 10-12, Blk. 28, Original Town of Almira), $95,500.

David Franklin Hudkins (Parcel A) and Karen Marie Weller, also known as Karen M. Miller (Parcel B), Spokane, to Derek Gollehon, Wilbur – Parcel A: northwest quarter of Sec. 35, T27N, R33E; Parcel B: southwest quarter of Sec. 35, T27N, R33E; $375,000.

Robert E. and Barbara B. Broselle, Vancouver, Wash., to Patrick M. and Judy D. Mansfield, Moses Lake – property at 130 Blossom Court, Seven Bays (Lot 30, Blk. 1, Airport Addition to Seven Bays), $40,000.