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Example Article for Court Beat

Court Beat
Author: Valerie Hornsveld, MT43 News Reporter

Valerie Hornsveld

MT43 News Reporter

Judge Kathy Seeley presided over the following cases. County Attorney Kevin Bratcher brought the charges. The defense attorney, Qasim Abdul-Baki, appointed from the Office of Public Defenders, acted as the defense attorney in all cases.

Jole Garcia- Appeared for his Initial Hearing along with his Attorney and Spanish Interpreter. The defendant is charged with 4 counts: 1- Aggravating or fleeing from a police officer, 2- Criminal Endangerment, 3- Driving Under the Influence, 1st, 4- Driving without a drivers’ license. The Arraignment hearing is scheduled for November 6, 2026.

Michael Eugene Dye- Initial Hearing- appeared with his attorney. The defendant is charged with 2 counts: 1- Criminal Possession of Dangerous Drugs, and 2- Criminal Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The Arraignment hearing was held, and Not Guilty pleas were entered. The defendant was released on OR with all conditions current and previously in place.

Christopher Ballinger Brooks- Sentencing- Guilty to Assault on a peace officer, the Court followed the Plea agreement and sentenced the defendant to 5 years DOC with 3 years suspended, defendant shall be placed in a treatment program followed by pre-release; credit for time served from March 31, 2026, through October 16, 2026, pay all fees and surcharges.

Joshua Ross- Sentencing-The Defendant shall be resuspended for 8 years MSP all suspended; the defendant must finish the 9-month treatment he had started, and if recommended for Chemical Dependency treatment, he must attend; the defendant shall receive credit of 888 days for time served and street time.

Ryan Hughes- Change of Plea- The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge of Criminal Possession of Dangerous Drugs. With the assistance of her Attorney, she stated what she had done. The Court ordered a Pre-Sentence Investigation and set Sentencing for December 18, 2026.