How To Get Noticed in Billings for All the Wrong Reasons

Think of this as a real-life reminder list. While no two cases are exactly the same, there are clear patterns that keep showing up, so if you’re looking to stay on the right side of the law, this weekly activity report from Yellowstone County offers some very clear lessons of what not to do.

Between January 26 and February 1, the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office responded to 504 calls for service, wrote 325 case reports, and made 20 arrests during the reporting period.

Don’t Ignore Court Orders, Seriously

One of the biggest themes in this report is contempt of court. Ignoring court orders or skipping required actions can and does lead to arrest.

• Randy Fricks, 60, was arrested on contempt-of-court charges during the week.
• Dezeray Brasda, 33, was arrested multiple times on misdemeanor contempt-of-court charges.
• Shelie Youngrunningcrane, 45, and Tawnya Hudyma, 49, were also arrested on charges of contempt of court.

If there’s a takeaway here, it’s this. Court orders are not optional.

READ MORE: Major Sting Leads to Arrests in Human Trafficking & Child Abuse Cases

Violence and Assault Charges Continue to Be a Major Issue

Several arrests involved assault, including domestic situations and assaults on peace officers.

• David Matthew, 65, was arrested for assault by purposely or knowingly causing bodily injury to another.
• Tawny Fisher-Jones, 49, was arrested for partner or family member assault involving a weapon.
• Heather Howell, 33, was arrested for assault on a peace officer or judicial officer resulting in bodily injury.
• Justin Gearhart, 43, was arrested for partner or family member assault.
• William Keele, 45, was arrested on charges including assault with a weapon and partner or family member assault.

These are some of the most serious calls deputies respond to, and they carry lasting consequences for everyone involved.

Drugs, Paraphernalia, and Bad Decisions Don’t Mix

Drug-related charges also appeared multiple times in the weekly report.

• David Matthew, 65, was arrested for criminal possession of dangerous drugs.
• Charles Hurst, 55, was arrested for criminal possession of dangerous drugs and criminal possession of drug paraphernalia.

These cases often snowball, with one charge leading to several others once contact is made with law enforcement.

Driving Offenses Add Up Quickly

Several arrests stemmed from driving-related issues, including DUI and driving while suspended or revoked.

• Charles Hurst, 55, was arrested for driving while suspended or revoked.
  Jacob Siewert, 25, was issued a notice to appear for driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
• Kevin Diggan, 57, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

One bad decision behind the wheel can quickly turn into court dates, fines, and lost driving privileges.

Disorderly Conduct Isn’t as Minor as It Sounds

Disorderly conduct charges popped up repeatedly, often alongside other issues.

• Allen Cantu, 50, was cited for disorderly conduct and obstructing a peace officer.
• Gregory Sherman, 59, was arrested for disorderly conduct.
• Pamela Littlelight, 39, was arrested for disorderly conduct.
• Jayde Mikkelson, 30, was arrested for disorderly conduct.

What may start as a heated moment can quickly escalate once law enforcement gets involved.

No-Contact Orders Mean Exactly That

Violating a no-contact order is another fast track to jail.

• Tiffany Chopper, 50, was arrested on multiple charges related to partner or family member assault and violations of a no-contact order.
• David Silvera, 58, was arrested for violating a no-contact order.

These orders are put in place for safety, and violations are treated seriously.

A Few Other Ways People Landed in Trouble

The report also included arrests tied to theft and deceptive practices.

• Justin Hickson, 37, was issued a notice to appear for deceptive practices involving a credit card.
• Charles Hurst, 55, was also arrested for displaying license plates assigned to another vehicle.

Small shortcuts can turn into big problems when laws are broken.

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Real-Life Consequences: What This Week Shows

This weekly report is a snapshot of real-life consequences playing out across Yellowstone County. Many of these arrests stem from repeat behavior, ignored court orders, or situations that escalated when they didn’t have to.

As always, all individuals listed are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. But if there’s one clear message from this week’s activity report, it’s this. Following the rules and handling problems early can save a lot of trouble down the road.