Terronez Sentenced to Probation ‘Tragic’ Case Spanning Six Years Comes to Close
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
. Down Town | 2 Community | 9 Locals celebrate AWANA kids get St. Patrick’s day. in the derby spirit. Golden Eagles All-Conference selections, page 14. COVERING CENTRAL MONTANA LIKE THE STARS $1.00 VOLUME 139 NUMBER 32 LEWISTOWNNEWS.COM SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2021 Terronez sentenced to probation ‘Tragic’ case spanning six years comes to close By KATHERINE SEARS | Reporter A Lewistown man was sentenced to probation this week after he was found guilty of sexually abusing a 5-year-old girl six years ago. It marks the close of a dra- matic case that spanned several years. Jason Terronez, 39, was arrested in March of 2015 on charges of felony sexual intercourse without consent of a victim, a girl his family was close with. Tuesday’s sentencing drew a small crowd to the courtroom of the Fergus County Courthouse, where Judge Randal Spaulding heard statements from individuals involved in the case, including the victim’s parents. “In my 20 years as a judge, I can’t think of a personally more tragic case in so many aspects,” said Judge Spaulding, citing the involvement of young children, lost marriages and a suicide. Jason Terronez The victim’s parents both gave emotionally-charged testimony Tuesday, stating Terronez’s actions have caused unend- ing emotional distress over the past six years and the crime has destroyed their family. The situation caused the family to move away from Montana and led to the couple’s divorce. “Jason’s actions have had a rippling effect on my fam- ily,” said the victim’s father. “My child was violated and I simply have to wait for justice or no justice over time,” he stated. Both parents testified, at times inaudibly due to emo- tion, that they felt accountable for what happened, they turned to medication to cope, their careers suffered, they faced financial trouble and, ultimately, their marriage failed because of the crime. They said the crime unnec- essarily exposed their daughter in a new community, and they worry about her future. “We gave up our homes and our friends and our jobs for a chance at a new start,” said the victim’s mother. “It turned our life inside out.” The victim’s mother said she didn’t think Terronez was sorry and that he should receive the maximum sen- tence. “I loved you like a brother and trusted you with what was most precious to me in this world,” the victim’s mother said to Terronez. Through tears, she then held up a photo of her daughter, reminding the court there is a little girl involved in the case, though the child herself didn’t want to be present that day. Sipe vs. Snively Fergus County Attorney Kent Sipe recommended Ter- ronez serve the time set forth in the plea agreement, which was 10 years to the Department of Corrections, with six suspended – the mandatory minimum for the crime. Since it was a binding agreement, the court could not exceed that sentence. However it allowed Terronez’s court-appointed attorney, Robert Snively of Hardin, to argue for any lawful sentence. “I believe this was a crime of opportunity and he did The 2021 Fergus High Prom Royalty, crowned Wednesday afternoon, include King Michael Sura (right), Queen not target this victim specifically,” Sipe said. Samantha Talkington, Prince Christian Karhi and Princess Evelyn Miller. Sipe called on Linda Hickman, the court-appointed Photo courtesy of Michelle Trafton advocate for the children, during the case. During Sipe’s questioning, Snively objected, saying Hickman had no factual basis for some of her claims that Terronez could harm another victim. “I have 30-some years [of] experience that tells me an Superintendent of Agriculture, untreated sex offender is a threat to any child,” said Horticulture and Vegetables hopeful for 2021 Fair Hickman. See Terronez | Page 6 By MIRIAM CAMPAN | Reporter For the past few years Laurie Bentley, superintendent of the agriculture, horticulture and vegetable departments at the Central Montana Fair, has navigated her way through the numerous responsibilities associated with her position. It began by helping a friend. “I went in a few years ago to That’s what we help a friend, Jo Shipman, with the clerking part of it. I told Jo are here in I would help her again and Central then she became ill and I had COVID-19 UPDATE to take over in 2018,” said Montana. We Bentley. As of Friday, the total number of Montana COVID-19 Since then Bentley takes are agriculture.” cases since March was 102,768 an increase of 1,212 from into stride the superinten- last week. dent’s requirements of distrib- - Bentley There were 1,033 active cases across the state, and uting premium books, lining 100,326 people were listed as recovered. There were 51 up awards for special exhibits, Montanans hospitalized with complications of COVID-19, locating judges, and preparing, decorating, and setting up the and 1,409 have died. Fergus County had 9 active cases on Trade Center area for the exhibits. Friday. Bentley said, “Our exhibits come in on Tuesday (of Fair Vaccinations for COVID-19 are currently being given to Central Montana Fair Superintendent of Agriculture, week) and all day is spent getting them lined up for judging on those in Phase 1B+: age 60 and up or 16-59 with underly- Horticulture and Vegetables Laurie Bentley is hope- Wednesday morning. When the judging is done, points need to ing medical conditions. Starting on April 1, the Governor ful that an increased interest in gardening will gener- be figured and turned in to the Fair office so they can calculate has announced all Montanans, age 16 and up, can get a ate more exhibits in her three departments. the premium money.” vaccine. Contact your health care provider for more infor- Photo by Miriam Campan mation. See Bentley | Page 6 . USPS 311-120 [email protected] 406-535-3401 OBITUARIES: W. DRESSER . PAGE 2LEWISTOWN NEWS-ARGUS SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2021 Irish Luck on Main Heidi the dog (left photo), Lewistown Chamber Director Jo McCauley, Caitlyn Larson and Kim Ferrell gather round the grill in anticipation of a savory bite. The Chamber was serving brats and hot dogs, part of Thursday evening’s GreenFeet celebration. Jennifer Saunders (above) cozies up to the Leprechaun during the Green Feet celebration. Saunders created a scavenger hunt that sent families up and down Main Street. Photos by Miriam Campan Clarification Fair board discusses Fun Zone and fees A picture of the Easter Egg Hunt Committee that ran in By MIRIAM CAMPAN The newly named “Fun Zone” rate increase. back with a $50 a month pro- Wednesday’s paper did not show two additional committee Reporter with entertainment options In open public participa- posal for yearly riding at the members unavailable at the time of the photo: Rhiannon for Central Montana youth is tion at Tuesday’s Fair Board pavilion, increasing the Burch and Lacey Bray. The committee is the force behind the he fair board met this being developed. Fun Zone meeting, representatives from annual fee to $600 per year Easter Egg hunt today, Saturday, at 11 a.m. at Frank Day Park. past Tuesday to con- activities may include unlim- 4-H and Heartland Riders per rider.” tinue discussions on ited access to bouncy houses expressed concerns over an The Pavilion and Fee com- Thow the fair will look with the purchase of a wrist- anticipated rate increase of mittees recommended an without a carnival this year. band, as well as a dunk tank, a $350 per year. Current fees for annual increase of $300 and climbing wall and other the usage of the pavilion are the commissioners will vote hands-on activities. at $250 for yearly access, $100 on it at a commission meet- for quarterly, and $35 for ing at a later date. Pavilion fees monthly, or an option to day- Concession fees for ven- and concession rates ride for $10 per horse and $5 dors were also discussed The Pavilion and Fee com- for each additional horse. Tuesday. The board carried a mittees decided a slight rate County Commissioner motion on a flat fee to encour- increase was warranted to Ross Butcher said, “Fees need age vendors to participate. maintain help maintain the to reflect the day-to-day cost Public participant Yvette pavilion building. of operation. We need to get Hersel said, “A flat fee reduc- The committees presented close to a break even.” es over-all stress.” their numbers to the Fergus Fair Board Chair Candi The next Fair Board meet- County commissioners, who Zion said, “The County Com- ing is scheduled for Tuesday, came back with a substantial missioners initially came April 20 at 5:30 p.m. Your Neighbor Cares of Central Mt Need #321 is a family the family and the other If you or someone you needing assistance to help adult is know is in pay their mortgage w o r k i n g need of Your Neighbor Cares part time some help, recently received a call from with the Y o u r a family needing help paying hope of N e i g h b o r their mortgage. They have finding per- Cares may been receiving the suspen- m a n e n t be able to sion of the monthly pay- e m p l o y - help you. ments due to Covid 19 pan- ment. For further demic. This recently ended If you would like to help information, call 366-4596 or and they are now trying to with any portion of their check out our website at avoid foreclosure.