Probation sentence in vehicle theft

Monday in Hot Springs District Court, Duane Jarvis pleaded guilty to, and was sentenced on a felony charge of wrongful taking or disposing of property over $1,000 and misdemeanors of fleeing or eluding police, reckless driving, and leaving the scene of an accident. In exchange for his plea, a felony charge of theft was dismissed in Hot Springs County; he was prosecuted on the same charge in Park County.

The charges are from an April 8 incident, during which Jarvis drove a white Chrysler 300 into town, abandoned it and stole a white Mazda Miata. An attempt was made to stop the Miata, though the pursuit led into Cody, where the vehicle eventually stopped after driving onto a traffic island. Jarvis and a second subject, Brianna Roemmich, were apprehended after a foot pursuit.

Jarvis was sentenced to 5-10 years in the state penitentiary on the felony charge, though that sentence was suspended and he received five years supervised probation. This will be served consecutive to the 3-5 year penitentiary sentence he received in Park County.

On each of the three misdemeanors, he received 10 days in the county jail, served concurrently to each other and to his probation and prison time. Jarvis was also ordered to pay $500 restitution to each of the vehicle owners.

Also in District Court, Tony J. SoRelle was sentenced to 30 days in jail and five years of supervised probation on counts of felony possession of a controlled substance — two or more previous convictions — and misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance.

The charges are from a Feb. 17 incident, during which deputies with the Hot Springs County Sheriff’s Office were at a location attempting to locate another subject who had a warrant. The deputies knew from previous contact that SoRelle was an occupant at the residence.

Upon gaining access to the residence, a deputy noted the smell of marijuana. After obtaining a search warrant, the deputies located marijuana and methamphetamine. According to court documents, SoRelle had prior convictions for possession of marijuana and meth.

SoRelle received the five years probation as a deferred sentence on the felony charge and 30 days in jail for the misdemeanor; both sentences will be served concurrently. Pursuant to a plea agreement earlier in October, the misdemeanor was amended from a felony charge. SoRelle was given time to get affairs in order, and his sentence begins on Monday, Oct. 22 at 8 a.m.

County Attorney Jerry Williams requested there be some jail time as this was SoRelle’s third possession case involving meth, but noted the defendant had shown willingness to work through his drug issues. As part of the sentence, SoRelle is required to finish the intensive outpatient treatment program he is in.