Not guilty pleas in local felony cases

Joshua Michael Dodson made his initial appearance before Judge Deborah Kim Christopher on Tuesday, pleading not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of partner or family member assault and felony charges of assault with a weapon, strangulation of a partner or family member, attempted arson, and criminal endangerment. A jury trial was set for February 19, 2024. Dodson’s attorney, Cheryl Copperstone, made a request to reduce Dodson’s bond to an own recognizance release, addressing the fact that Dodson has completed numerous domestic violence trainings while incarcerated, has minimal criminal history, has a place to live with his parents in Idaho, and that Dodson is willing to wear a GPS monitor. County Attorney Megan Hansen expressed her concerns regarding the violence exhibited during the incident that led to the charges and the fact that Dodson has had previous warrants for failing to appear and probation violations. After hearing the arguments, Judge Christopher reduced Dodson’s bond to $25,000 with the requirements of having a GPS monitor placed before release and Dodson having no contact with the alleged victim.

Per the charging documents, on September 29, Deputy Devin Wegener was dispatched to a report of a physical altercation between a male and a female, during which the male, Dodson, threatened to burn down the female’s residence. The alleged victim had fled her camper near Thompson Falls. Additional deputies and officers from the Thompson Falls Police Department also responded.

The alleged victim reported to officers that Dodson threw a metal frying pan, which struck the side of her head and stated that Dodson told her multiple times that he was going to burn her camper down, followed by him throwing a lit candle at her, which hit her in the face. Allegedly, Dodson then picked up a lit glass lantern and shattered it on the floor of the camper. The alleged victim was then able to run from the camper to call for law enforcement.

Dodson was located walking down the road about two miles away, arrested, and taken into custody.

Appearing for an initial appearance on two felony counts of assault with a weapon, Gordon Seymour Johnson entered a not guilty plea. Johnson’s attorney, Copperstone, argued for Johnson's release, citing the fact that Johnson is still being held on another warrant for a case before Judge Molly Owen. Judge Christopher decided that the bond in the case before her will run concurrent with the case before Judge Owen, and set this matter for trial on February 19, 2024.

On August 10, according to the filed affidavit, Deputy Craig McCarthy received information about an individual, Johnson, who had been swinging a shovel around and had fled the scene near Trout Creek. When Deputy McCarthy arrived, he spoke with Johnson’s long-term partner, who alleged that Johnson picked up a shovel and struck his brother three times, followed by Johnson getting into a van and attempting to run over his brother. Johnson’s brother confirmed what had occurred, alleging that he was struck once on the arm and twice in the back by the shovel, with bruising and abrasions visible to Deputy McCarthy. Johnson's brother was transported to the hospital.