Judge John C. McClintock, Jr., of the Northeast District Court in Rugby heard numerous felony cases in July.

On Tuesday, Joey Allen Mattern, 38, of Rugby, made an initial appearance on a Class C felony charge of DUI (fourth offense) and a Class A misdemeanor of leaving the scene of an accident involving death/personal injury.

Because of the alleged DUI, Mattern was found in violation of bond conditions for a misdemeanor charge of ingesting a controlled substance. Another initial appearance is set for July 28.

On Monday, Natasha Lee Aiken, 31, of Dunseith, pled guilty to possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class C felony, and was sentenced to one year in jail with all but 60 days suspended. Aiken will serve three years of supervised probation. She also pled guilty to driving under suspension and received 30 days in jail. She also pled guilty to failure to appear in court and received 60 days. All three sentences will be served concurrently.

Jay Lee Houle, 25, of Rugby, requested a preliminary hearing on an aggravated assault (domestic violence) charge, a Class C felony. Houle will appear again Aug. 12.

An Aug. 12 preliminary hearing also was set for Nicholas Begarde, 18, of Rugby, who faces a Class C felony charge of terrorizing. Belgarde allegedly brandished a knife.

Erion Peltier, 39, of Rugby, requested a preliminary hearing on July 16 for a Class C felony charge of simple assault for striking a correctional officer. Peltier appeared again Monday for a criminal hearing for disorderly conduct, a Class B misdemeanor. His bond was reduced from $15,000 to $12,500.

Cases heard July 15

On July 15, Richard Bundy, 33, of Rugby, plead guilty to a Class A felony charge of criminal conspiracy. A Class C felony charge of hindering law enforcement was dismissed, as was a Class A misdemeanor charge of ingesting a controlled substance.

Bundy was sentenced to five years imprisonment through the North Dakota Department of Corrections with two years suspended. Following his imprisonment, Bundy will have three years of supervised probation.

Philip Allen Byard, 27, of Bismarck, made an initial appearance by video on a Class C felony charge of issuing insufficient funds. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Tuesday.

Jacqueline Rae Aiken, 27, of Dunseith, made an initial appearance on a Class C felony charge of theft of property (motor vehicle). Aiken requested an attorney and will appear again Monday.

– Tribune Staff Report