Probation violation nets three-year sentence

Less than three months after being given a six-year deferred sentence on a reduced charge, a Kalispell man was sentenced to three years with the Department of Corrections after violating his probation.

Steven Snow, 28, originally was sentenced Jan. 17 by District Judge David Ortley after pleading guilty to felony criminal endangerment. That was reduced from an initial charge of felony aggravated assault after Snow attacked and hospitalized a man.

His deferred sentence was revoked after he admitted during the April 4 hearing that he had tested positive for methamphetamine, marijuana and alcohol.

Snow supposedly became infuriated that his girlfriend was leaving with a man and another female friend on Oct. 23, 2011, and assaulted the man.

The man eventually was taken to the hospital, where he had to undergo surgery to repair a puncture to his bowel. He spent almost a week in the hospital after the surgery.

As part of Snow’s incarceration in the new judgment, District Judge Robert Allison recommended that Snow be placed in the Connections Corrections Program, a two-to-three-month chemical dependency treatment program.

In explanation of that recommendation, Allison told Snow “I can tell by your demeanor in the court room that you need help.” While Snow answered questions during the hearing, his head had rolled around and he occasionally opened his eyes as wide as they would go, although it was unclear whether it was unintentional.

Allison noted that if Snow has problems in Connections Corrections, he will be sent to prison.