Defendant enters not guilty plea

Steven Coulson made his initial appearance in 20th District Judicial Court on Tuesday, pleading not guilty to a felony charge of criminal possession of dangerous drugs.

Coulson's attorney, Cheryl Copperstone, had asked Judge Molly Owen to release Coulson on his own recognizance, but Owen left Coulson's bond at $5,000. According to charging documents, Coulson was arrested November 13, 2022, after officers responded to a complaint of individuals selling drugs at Town Pump in Plains. Coulson allegedly ran from police and hid in a nearby house, where he was later located in the basement by law enforcement. "There's no wat that he should be out on the streets in Sanders County," County Attorney Naomi Leisz said of Coulson in court on Tuesday.

Also Tuesday, Judge Owen sentenced John Walter Hannan to five years with the Department of Corrections and two years suspended after he pleaded guilty to a felony charge of criminal possession of dangerous drugs. Charging documents state that Hannan admitted to probation officer Lynn Bierwagen last March that he was using methamphetamine. He was arrested a few days later after Bierwagen conducted a search of Hannan's house.

"Your risk to re-offend is very high. You have a lot of issues that you'll need to work on in these next three years," Judge Owen told Hannan. "Hopefully you do get some help for some of those substance abuse issues." Hannan was given credit for 44 days served in the Sanders County Jail.

Jennifer Charlo changed her plea to guilty on Tuesday, admitting to one of two counts in her case. Charlo pleaded guilty to felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs and Judge Owen set sentencing for July 25.

According to charging documents, Charlo was arrested August 23, 2022, after Sanders County Sheriff's deputies responded to a report of a vehicle parked in a yard in Noxon.