Arrest on warrant leads to drug charges

Making her initial appearance on Tuesday before Judge Molly Owen, Jeannie Lee Sampson entered not guilty pleas to a felony count of criminal possession of dangerous drugs and a misdemeanor count of criminal possession of drug paraphernalia. Judge Owen set this case for jury trial on August 7, 2023.

As alleged in the charging documents, Deputy Devin Wegener responded to the Sanders County Jail after Sampson was arrested on an unrelated warrant at the boat launch in Trout Creek by Deputy Paul Bankhead. Upon arrival at the jail, Deputy Bankhead advised that Sampson had made comments that the purse she was holding wasn’t her property. As Deputy Wegener was aware of Sampson’s self-admitted drug problem through previous interactions, he remained at the jail while the items in Sampson's possession went through the intake process. When the purse was unzipped, Deputy Wegener observed two butane torches and a red “tooter” pipe with white powder residue in plain sight. The purse, along with the jacket Sampson was wearing, were secured until a search warrant was obtained. According to the affidavit, the pipe later tested positive for methamphetamine and possibly fentanyl, and was forwarded to the Montana State Crime Lab. Deputy Wegener also located debit cards issued to Sampson, as well as a container of cards that were issued to her ex-boyfriend.

Gary Dino Bradley, pursuant to a plea agreement with the state regarding charges stemming from an incident on July 5, 2022, changed his plea to guilty for one felony count of strangulation. Judge Owen set sentencing for April 11, 2023.

County Attorney Naomi Leisz advised that a plea agreement had been reached with Devin Williams and proceeded to a change of plea. Williams pled guilty to a felony count of criminal possession of dangerous drugs and a misdemeanor count of criminal possession of drug paraphernalia. Sentencing was set for April 11, 2023.

Jimmy McCracken appeared for what was initially set as a hearing on the merits of the filed petition to revoke, however the parties notified the court that an agreement had been reached. McCracken proceeded to enter admissions to three out of the five compliance violations alleged in the report of violation. Judge Owen revoked McCracken’s previously suspended sentence, and sentenced him to five years to the Department of Corrections, with all that time suspended, with total credit for time served of 231 days. McCracken will be required to follow all of the probation conditions previously lined out, along with requirements of wearing a GPS monitor for 90 days, having his driver’s license reinstated, and obtaining legal employment at 40 hours a week.