Judge revokes sentence

A defendant being held at the Sanders County Jail was sentenced to 15 years with the Department of Corrections on Tuesday. James Hernvall was sentenced to 15 years for two counts of felony burglary and 10 years for one count of felony theft. Hernvall had been on probation, but his probation officer testified in 20th District Judicial Court on Tuesday that Hernvall had absconded from his responsibilities with the probation office for 18 months. A petition was filed May 4, 2020, to revoke Hernvall’s original sentence on the charges.

Hernvall testified before Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher on Tuesday, saying “since pre-release I’ve had a drug problem. I just don’t feel like I got the opportunity to curtail this problem and I screwed up.

“I’m determined that I can be clean and sober,” Hernvall added. Judge Christopher told Hernvall that “at some point you have to stand up and take responsibility.”

Jeffrey Trump of Hot Springs entered not guilty pleas to two charges on Tuesday. Thompson Falls Police Department arrested Trump after a traffic stop on January 17, 2021. When the vehicle Trump was driving was searched, charging documents detail that methamphetamines were found, which Trump reportedly told officers he got from Washington. Judge Christopher set a trial date of August 2 for Trump, who is being held at the Sanders County Jail.

Also on Tuesday, Kathy V. Miller entered a guilty plea to a charge of felony driving under the influence of alcohol. Court records show Miller has three previous convictions in 2005, 2013 and 2016. Miller was arrested on December 25, 2020, after a witness reported a vehicle swerving aggressively on Highway 200 east of Paradise. Miller had a blood alcohol level of .233 when she was arrested, documents state. Miller’s sentencing is set for March 2.

Daniel Allen, who is currently incarcerated at the Montana State Prison, appeared via Zoom on Tuesday to enter not guilty pleas to charges filed in 2019. Allen pleaded not guilty to criminal possession of dangerous drugs, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence and criminal endangerment, all felonies. Allen was arrested on September 19, 2019. Judge Christopher set a trial date for April 5.