C-Falls man sentenced to 10 years for 15-year-old crimes

by Richard Hanners Hungry Horse News
| July 13, 2012 9:10 AM

A 34-year-old Columbia Falls man who was sentenced for forgery and theft 15 years ago was sentenced to two 10-year concurrent sentences with the Department of Corrections after his original sentence was revoked for the second time.

According to court documents, Jason Shewalter was first arrested in August 1996 after he used three forged checks totaling $1,004.

While out of jail on his own recognizance in the following weeks, Shewalter and another man allegedly broke into numerous vehicles in Whitefish. They then used six stolen checks from one vehicle totaling $180 to treat friends at fast food restaurants.

Shewalter’s release was revoked and he was charged with two counts of felony forgery and one count of felony theft. On Jan. 24, 1997, Flathead County District Court Judge Ted Lympus gave Shewalter a 20-year prison sentence with 15 suspended and a recommendation for boot camp. Shewalter was also ordered to pay $7,728 in restitution, a $1,000 fine and $500 in public defender fees.

After nine years spent in and out of boot camp, prison, probation and hiding out of state, Shewalter was arrested in Lake County on Jan. 3, 2006, and charged with felony possession of dangerous drugs with intent to distribute.

Lake County District Court Judge Deborah Christopher sentenced Shewalter to 10 years with eight suspended. Flathead County District Court Judge Stewart Stadler revoked and then reinstated Shewalter’s earlier forgery and theft sentences.

After cycling in and out of boot camp, prison and pre-release, Shewalter was arrested on Sept. 24, 2011, following a traffic stop in Columbia Falls. He was charged with DUI, possession of dangerous drugs, obstructing and resisting an officer, and driving with no insurance or driver’s license.

On Jan. 26, Stadler revoked Shewalter’s earlier Flathead County sentences for the second time. Then on March 15, Flathead County District Court Judge David Ortley sentenced Shewalter to two 10-year concurrent sentences. Shewalter was given credit for time served but not for any probationary time.