Hungry Horse man sentenced for fourth DUI

A 27-year-old Hungry Horse man was sentenced to 13 months with the Montana Department of Corrections after he pleaded guilty to his fourth DUI, a felony.

Flathead County District Court Judge David Ortley sentenced Valentine Scheeler on Jan. 15. Scheeler was also given a three-year suspended and consecutive DOC sentence and ordered to pay $1,260 in restitution, a $500 fine and $400 in public defender fees. Ortley recommended Scheeler for the state’s Watch in-patient treatment program.

According to court records, an off-duty Flathead County sheriff’s deputy had witnessed a crash at U.S. 2 and Highway 206 on Aug. 3, 2014 and followed the suspect’s vehicle to a driveway.

Responding Montana Highway Patrol troopers found Scheeler asleep on the couch in his mother’s home. He allegedly smelled of alcohol, had slurred speech and had trouble standing. He was transported to Kalispell Regional Medical Center for a blood draw.

A search of his court records found that Scheeler had been convicted of DUIs in the past in March 2007, April 2008 and January 2011. He signed a plea agreement and pleaded guilty on Nov. 13, 2014.