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Court Beat
Author: Nancy Marks, MT43 News Reporter

Nancy Marks

MT43 News Reporter

District Court Judge Michael McMahon heard the following criminal cases. County Attorney Kevin Bratcher brought charges. Attorney Qasim Walid Abdul-Baki served as the public defender.

James Ruben Estrada had a pre-trial conference with his pre-trial set for January 15, 2027, for his 4th consecutive Driving While Intoxicated offense. He was stopped by officers on March 2nd of this year with incorrect plates on his vehicle. His prior DWI convictions were in Lewis & Clark and Gallatin Counties and in Manhattan City Court.

Quinn Odel Hiassen was released with conditions from Montana Probation and Parole since he has completed treatment for alcohol dependency. Haissen had been charged with criminal endangerment on July 24, 2024, for attacking officers at the Broadwater County Detention Center where he was being held.

Christina Jean Moorhouse did not appear in court on her charge of possession of a dangerous drug-methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. She was arrested May 3, 2026. Judge McMahon set August 21 to appoint her an attorney.

Zane Alan Wallace violated his court judgment to revoke his deferred sentence status. During judgment and sentencing, Wallace pled guilty to criminal mischief amounting to a loss of more than $1,500. Judge McMahon sentenced Wallace to six years in Montana State Prison, with all six years suspended. He must make restitution and begin participation in the First Judicial District Drug Treatment Court as part of sentencing conditions. Wallace had been charged in 2020 for taking a vehicle and a gun without the owner’s permission.

In a separate judgment, Judge McMahon sentenced Wallace to five years in the Montana State Prison, with all five years suspended with conditions. Wallace had pled guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested Dec. 31, 2025. It was his 4th offense. The two sentences will run consecutively.

Barbara Lee Degroodt was not present for her evidentiary hearing. Her August 28 appearance in court will be for an attorney to be appointed for her. In a Feb. 26, 2026, traffic stop, officers arrested her, and she was subsequently charged for criminal possession of dangerous drugs-methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia.