Woman who ran escort service now facing drug charges

A Kalispell woman who pleaded guilty to promoting prostitution and received a suspended sentence in 2019 was returned to the Flathead County Detention Center recently after authorities said she violated her probation by allegedly possessing and using methamphetamine.

Melenie Rose Haidys, 42, was booked into the jail May 15 after Ravalli County law officers arrested her on warrants for possession and the intent to distribute meth in Ravalli County after alleged incidents there in March 2020.

In the prostitution case, according to court documents, the investigation began in May 2018 when Flathead County Sheriff’s Office worked to determine people who were engaged in prostitution. An investigator saw a profile on a website advertising escort services. The site identified a woman named “Vanessa Rae,” who could provide escort services and provide contact information.

“Vanessa Rae” was later identified as Haidys, according to the criminal complaint.

The investigator texted Haidys to see if she was available to meet in Kalispell on the evening of May 4. The suspect replied that she wasn’t available, but that she could arrange an encounter with an associate.

A meeting was arranged with a woman named “Ruby” at a Second Street West residence in Kalispell for $275 for sexual intercourse.

That evening, a detective, acting as the client, arrived at the apartment and met “Ruby.” When he asked her about who arranged the meeting, “Ruby” said “Vanessa” had set it up and “Ruby” would give a portion of the $275 to her. “Ruby” then said “Vanessa” was actually Haidys. “Ruby” said she understood the work to be prostitution.

Haidys later pleaded guilty to the charge and received a five-year suspended sentence from District Judge Robert Allison in April 2019.

But according to a report filed by her probation officer, Haidys had numerous violations. They allegedly included not living at her approved residence, missing numerous appointments with her probation officer, using meth and failing to arrange for drug treatment after several referrals.

Then, on Nov. 27, 2019, probation officers located her at home and she allegedly admitted to using meth. Haidys was arrested and after being handcuffed, officers said she became argumentative and tried to get away but failed. After three days in jail she was released buy failed to report for a probation appointment and a warrant was issued for her arrest.

Haidys was arrested, served a few days in jail and was referred to a treatment program, which she attended and seemed to make progress, according to probation officers.

But, on March 22, 2020, Haidys was stopped by Ravalli County law officers while driving without headlights. When officers, who suspected drug activity, deployed a drug dog, the animal indicated there were illegal drugs in the vehicle.

When officers asked Haidys to get out of the vehicle, she was allegedly argumentative and called them “Fags” and “Pigs.”

Haidys was allowed to leave during the initial stop, but after officers got a search warrant and found what was believed to be meth, a scale and other drug-related items she was told she could come and get the truck.

She returned to get the truck and was arrested, according to the court document.

Haidys was also accused of assaulting a Flathead County Sheriff’s deputy in 2015. She pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of resisting arrest after calling the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office to report that her daughter had been kidnapped, when in fact, it didn’t happen. When a deputy arrived at a Hungry Horse residence, she was seen pounding on a door and repeatedly screamed at people inside the home. She then screamed at him several times and when he attempted to arrest her, she tried to kick him and eventually scratched him, drawing blood.

A felony charge of assaulting a peace officer against Haidys was dismissed. She received a six-month suspended sentence.

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