Burglars get state prison time for numerous crimes

Two Flathead County residents who pleaded guilty to their respective roles in a string of 2018 burglaries that included the theft of a puppy and a dog’s cremains were sentenced to the Montana State Prison Thursday in Flathead District Court.

Judge Robert Allison handed out hefty prison terms for both Montana Helen Kelly, 21, and Richard Allen Chandler, 23. Kelly received two 20-year sentences, with eight years suspended, on the two counts of felony burglary to which she pleaded guilty to Sept. 11. The terms will be served concurrently, meaning her total sentence is 12 years. She will be eligible for parole after three years.

Chandler received 20 years, with 10 suspended, on the two counts of felony burglary he pleaded guilty to Sept. 4. The terms will be served concurrently, meaning his total sentence is 10 years. He will be eligible for parole after 2 1/2 years.

Before he sentenced the married couple, Judge Allison said he was having a difficult time with the sentence recommendations while addressing both about their crimes, which included a number of offenses while each one was a juvenile.

“You have an extensive juvenile record and you’ve been to Pine Hills [Youth Correctional Facility] and it takes work to get in there,” Allison said to Chandler.

Chandler acknowledged receiving drug treatment at the facility.

“Everyone gets a chance, through probation, treatment, but I hope you have realized the damage you have done, even if it is a non-violent, drug offense,” Allison said.

When addressing Kelly, Allison recalled a time when he was Christmas shopping at the now-closed Herberger’s Store in Kalispell and she assisted him.

“You helped me at the store and I was very encouraged that you were going to be one of the success stories, that you were going to turn your life around after some of the things you had been involved in, but it wasn’t long before I saw you again in court,” Allison said. “When you use [drugs], you really run amok.

“Hopefully you get the treatment you need because if you appear before me or any other judge, it’s likely you’ll spend the rest of your life in prison,” Allison said.

Kelly and Chandler each had five counts of burglary dismissed in exchange for their pleas.

In addition, their respective sentences will be served concurrently with jail terms they received in Lincoln County for similar crimes.

Both also must pay restitution to the victims of their crimes, $30,000 each.

The two were charged with burglaries at residences in Kalispell, Bigfork and Marion.

The items stolen totaled tens of thousands of dollars, including a puppy, a dog’s cremation ashes, more than two dozen guns, checks, credit cards, tools, televisions, a coin collection, jewelry, an iPod, skis, and a large amount of cash.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, the puppy was returned to its owner after someone saw it where Kelly and Chandler resided.

Also, Chandler had dropped his wallet at the scene of one of the crimes.

Two victims of the duo’s crime spree spoke briefly at Thursday’s hearing.

“They stalked me because night-vision glasses were found in a ditch near my home,” Bigfork resident Janis Calton said. “They knew when I was coming and going, but I think that if I had come home of the middle of when they were in my home, it could have ended very differently.

“It takes away your feeling of security and the damage that was done to my home was extensive. Every time I have to look at a dent in the floor, I’m reminded of what they did,” Calton said.

Another victim of the crimes, Rodney Graham, said he had dealt with both Chandler and Kelly when he worked as a nurse in the county jail.

“I have no hope for either one of you,” Graham said. “I was extremely discouraged to see the hate in my home after they ransacked it.”

The affidavit indicated Chandler and Kelly each said they were extremely high on drugs at the time of their crimes, including using methamphetamine, pills and marijuana.

Kelly pleaded guilty in 2017 to theft, possession of dangerous drugs and criminal endangerment. She was sentenced to a total of five years, suspended, on each charge and to be placed in an appropriate treatment facility. She was ordered to repay more than $8,000 in restitution to the victims in the 2017 offenses.

Kelly also faced burglary charges in 2016 in Flathead County.

Kelly’s attorney, Julianne Hinchey said she had represented the woman on and off since the convict was 14 years old.

“She doesn’t have family behind her, she’s suffered abuse at the hands of her family and she started doing drugs at the age of 11 and she’s dealt with mental illness,” Hinchey said. “While it’s not an excuse, it does help explain some of her actions.”

Kelly also addressed her victims.

“I’m sorry I have made you victims and I’m deeply sorry I made your homes no longer feel safe because of my actions,” Kelly said. “I promise to spend my time pursuing an education so that I may pay the restitution I owe.”

Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.