HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – A former Havre resident has been given six years worth of deferred sentences after pleading guilty to two felony criminal endangerment charges for his role in two high-speed pursuits in early 2021.
Jalen Jaret Watson, who was 19 at the time of the incidents and now lives in Billings, was given two consecutive three-year deferred sentences on Monday by Judge Kaydee Snipes-Ruiz in Hill County District Court.
Watson will be required to be enrolled in after care chemical dependency and mental health programs for the entirety of the deferred sentences.
The deferred sentences were recommended by the defense. The State had recommended two concurrent 10 year sentences with the Department of Corrections, five suspended. Public Defender Casey Moore said this recommendation was made because the defendant is just 20 years old, does not have any prior felonies on his record, and the charges were drug related, which Watson can receive treatment for.
Watson spent 96 days in jail on these offenses, and that would be considered time served if he were to be sentenced again.
When asked what the reason for the recommendation, Hill County Attorney Lacey Lincoln said she was unable to provide reasoning, as she was not the County Attorney at the time the plea deal was arranged, and her files on this case do not provide any reason for the recommendations.
Prior to the sentences being handed down, Watson spoke briefly, saying he has made a lot of bad decisions and is rehabilitating. He said he wants to achieve a better future.
Judge Kaydee Snipes-Ruiz said that one thing that concerned her is after the plea agreement was arranged in November and Watson’s GPS monitoring device was removed, Watson had contact with law enforcement on November 21st, which she says “doesn’t bode well.” Lincoln said that charges are likely coming at the State or Federal level based on this incident, but had no other information. Snipes-Ruiz said she was not able to consider this incident at sentencing due to the lack of information she was provided on it.
In issuing the sentence, Snipes-Ruiz said Watson is young and has time to rehabilitate, but his future is entirely up to him.
If Watson is found to be in violation of the conditions of the deferred sentences, he could be sentenced to the maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
In the plea agreement, Watson admitted to the following:
I voluntarily and intelligently admit on or about January 5, 2021, in Hill County, Montana, I knowingly engaged in conduct which created a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury to another.
I voluntarily and intelligently admit on or about April 5, 2021, in Hill County, Montana, I knowingly engaged in conduct which created a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury to another.
In the January high-speed chase, Watson allegedly went over 100 miles per hour on Old Post Road.
In that case, Watson was also charged with an additional count of felony criminal endangerment and misdemeanor fleeing from or eluding a Peace Officer. Those were dismissed at sentencing pursuant to the plea agreement.
In the April high-speed chase, Watson allegedly traveled over 125 miles per hour on US 2, and the vehicle he was driving ended up flipping over at the junction with US 87.
In that case, Watson also was charged with an additional count of felony criminal endangerment, as well as two felony drug charges, and the misdemeanors of fleeing from or eluding a Peace Officer and driving under the influence of dangerous drugs. Those were dismissed at sentencing pursuant to the plea agreement.
