Plea agreement reached for DUI No. 4

A 58-year-old Columbia Falls man pleaded guilty to felony DUI No. 4 in Flathead County District Court on Feb. 3 after his public defender and the county attorney reached a plea deal.

Gregory Winkle was arrested Dec. 8, 2013, around 7:10 p.m. after a Montana Highway Patrol trooper pulled him over on U.S. 2.

The vehicle’s headlights were not on, and Winkle allegedly failed to stop after the trooper switched on his overhead flashing lights. After Winkle pulled into a private driveway, he allegedly put his vehicle in reverse and nearly struck the patrol car.

The trooper reported smelling alcohol, that Winkle failed field sobriety tests and that he blew a 0.089 blood-alcohol content. Winkle also allegedly admitted to drinking bourbon during the day.

A check of Winkle’s driving history uncovered past DUI or DUI per se convictions in December 2003, June 2006 and October 2010. He also had prior contempt charges and a conviction for obstructing justice, and he was arrested twice in Lake County on warrants for failing to appear in court.

Winkle was provided a public defender, and his bond was reduced from $20,000 to $5,000.

In a Jan. 24 plea agreement, both parties agreed to recommend the maximum sentence — 13 months with the Montana Department of Corrections, including placement in an appropriate treatment facility, and a consecutive but suspended five-year sentence.

Winkle could also be fined from $1,000 to $10,000. A sentencing hearing has been set for April 17.