Motorcycle theft results in prison time

Jerome Dunks was sentenced to 2.5 to four years in the penitentiary for a felony of wrongful receiving, concealing or disposing of property. Hot Springs District Court Judge Robert E. Skar additionally sentenced Dunks to 180 days on each misdemeanor of fleeing or attempting to elude police officer, and interference with an officer, served concurrently with each other and with the felony.

Dunks and Samantha Messick were arrested June 30 after a lengthy chase in Thermopolis involving several traffic violations including speeding and failing to obey traffic signs.

The stolen bike they were riding was found abandoned, and Dunks and Messick were both picked up shortly afterward.

During Dunks arrest, he became resistant and started to fight, and was restrained against the side of a law enforcement vehicle. The struggle didn’t end there, however, as Dunks continued to fight when being escorted to the Joint Law Enforcement Center. According to the affidavit, he resisted officers, kicked at elevator controls and was otherwise belligerent.

In addition to the prison time Dunks will serve, he was also ordered to pay $808 restitution to the owner of the motorcycle to have the vehicle towed back to the owner’s home in Billings, Mont.

Messick pleaded guilty to conspiracy to wrongful receiving, concealing or disposing of property and interference with a peace officer, and was sentenced to three years supervised probation. A third charge of possession of a controlled substance was dismissed.

Dunks said he made some mistakes the last time he was released from prison and he plans to use this opportunity to make some real change in his life.