Man gets suspended sentence in Essex thefts

An Essex man was sentenced on Aug. 3 to 10 years in state prison, all suspended, by Flathead County Court judge Robert B. Alison. Leif Ness, 45, had previously pled guilty to accountability to burglary and theft, both felonies in a plea bargain.

Ness was charged last year in a string of burglaries in the Essex and Pinnacle areas. Stolen items included sports equipment, electronics, and food and liquor, with a combined value of over $1,500 in May of 2015.

Also charged in the case was Merlyn Roger Lee Marceau of Browning.

Ness’s jail sentence is suspended subject to conditions of the court. Ness was also fined $1,000 per count and other fees in the case.