Plains man faces new drug charges

Justin John Mielke appeared before Judge Molly Owen on Tuesday for an initial appearance on new charges, as well as a petition to revoke probation for a previous case that he was sentenced for in April. Mielke entered not guilty pleas to a felony count of criminal possession of dangerous drugs and two misdemeanor counts of criminal possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under the influence, first offense. Mielke also entered his general denials to the revocation allegations, which stem from the new charges he faces. According to the filed report of violation, Mielke had been on probation for 10 days at the time of the events leading to the new charges. Judge Owen set the new case for a jury trial on November 12, and a hearing on the merits for the revocation for July 23.

As alleged in the charging documents, on May 2, 2024, Sanders County Sheriff’s Deputy Devin Wegener was notified by Plains Chief of Police Brian Josephson of a call they had received about a man, identified as Mielke, slumped over the steering wheel of a vehicle parked in the Town Pump parking lot. Deputy Wegener received an update that Mielke had been seen driving away from Town Pump in the direction of his father’s residence, then was seen again stopped alongside the highway near Quarter Horse Lane.

Deputy Wegener responded to the location, finding the pickup Mielke was driving stopped on the highway, blocking the lane, with Mielke slumped over the steering wheel with the truck running. As Mielke didn’t appear to respond to the sight of Deputy Wegener’s patrol vehicle, nor the emergency lights, and based on previous encounters with Mielke, Deputy Wegener was concerned about a possible overdose, so he opened the driver’s door to check on Mielke. While waking Mielke, Deputy Wegener reported that he observed in Mielke’s lap a piece of foil, appearing to have residue, and a tooter pipe that looked recently used. Deputy Wegener also found that the truck was still in gear.

After asking Mielke to exit the truck, Deputy Wegener reported that administering the standard field sobriety tests didn’t appear to be safe for Mielke in his current condition, so Deputy Wegener first administered a preliminary breath test, showing no alcohol, before transporting Mielke to Clark Fork Valley Hospital for a consented blood draw. Mielke was then transported to the Sanders County Jail.

As Mielke was on probation, Probation Officer Lynn Bierwagen requested to conduct a probation search of Mielke’s vehicle, locating several items of paraphernalia and a firearm. When Mielke was booked at the jail, officials found a canister containing blue pills, consistent with fentanyl, and a lighter containing different pills, consistent with a form of MDMA. The pills were forwarded to the State Crime Lab for further analysis.

Entering into a plea agreement with the State, Robin Bruce McNutt appeared for a change of plea hearing, entering a guilty plea to a felony count of criminal possession of dangerous drugs. Judge Owen set sentencing for July 7.

Ronnie Maxwell Goodrum appeared for sentencing, which had been previously continued to determine the victim’s input regarding the plea agreement reached between Goodrum’s attorney, Ashley Young, and former deputy County Attorney Jovan Beltran. When asked by Judge Owen as to the reasons to support the plea agreement, County Attorney Megan Hansen advised that as the plea agreement had been entered into with a member of her office, she was taking responsibility for it and intended to follow through, but advised that the victim in this matter was not in agreement. Young told Judge Owen Tuesday that she hadn’t gotten into the specifics of why this plea agreement was offered, but it was the first offer from the County Attorney’s office and they jumped on it, as the agreement was beneficial for Goodrum. Young also noted that they had taken into account during negotiations that pleading to the amended charge would prevent Goodrum from the significant restrictions associated with being designated a violent offender. Judge Owen advised that she would not be following the plea agreement and reset this matter for a jury trial on August 12, in accordance with the 20th Judicial District’s policy. Judge Owen stated she would be willing to consider another plea agreement if presented.