Plea entered in hit and run charges

Judge Karen Townsend presided over a lengthy calendar on Tuesday for the 20th Judicial District Court, appearing by video from Missoula. Bertha Rose Garrett appeared for her initial appearance on a felony count of criminal endangerment and two misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence of alcohol and operating without liability insurance. Per the charging documents filed, law enforcement responded to a hit and run that occurred on Highway 200 near Thompson Falls. . The occupants of the vehicle that was hit claimed they knew the driver, who had rammed into the back of their car, driven into the ditch, and fled the scene. A license plate located at the scene of the accident was traced back to a vehicle owned by Garrett. Law enforcement located both Garrett and her vehicle, which had sustained significant damage. Garrett was taken into custody, and documents state her blood alcohol level was .144. Garrett entered a plea of not guilty and jury trial was set for October 31, 2022.

Dawn Ridders pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of criminal possession of dangerous drugs, two misdemeanor counts of partner or family member assault, and one misdemeanor count of resisting arrest. The charges stemmed from an incident between Ridders and her mother, according to the charging document. While law enforcement was preparing to take Ridders into custody, a large amount of methamphetamine was found in a folded piece of paper. Jury trial was set for October 31, 2022.

William Sidmore appeared for a change of plea hearing, entering a guilty plea to misdemeanor counts of partner or family member assault, second offense, and tampering with a communication device. On the first count, Sidmore was sentenced to one year in the Sanders County Jail, all suspended except 10 days, with a $500 fine. For the second, Sidmore was sentenced to six months in jail with all suspended except 10 days, and a $150 fine. Sidmore received credit for 47 days time served.

Jake Wiekowski appeared for sentencing, receiving a two-year deferred sentence on a felony count of criminal possession of dangerous drugs, and six months in the Sanders County Jail, all suspended except 36 days already served, on a count of criminal possession of drug paraphernalia.

Dimas Renteria was back in court for an adjudication hearing regarding the petition to revoke that was filed in October 2021. Probation officer Lynn Bierwagen testified that there have been ongoing issues during the time she has been supervising Renteria. Judge Townsend sustained the petition to revoke and Renteria was sentenced to the Department of Corrections for five years.