Kenai Courthouse is photographed on February 26, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)

Kenai Courthouse is photographed on February 26, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)

Court reports for the week of Dec. 19, 2021

Read the latest.

The following dismissals were recently handed down in Kenai District Court:

A charge of violating conditions of release for a misdemeanor against Rickey Epling, Jr., 51, of Soldotna, was dismissed. Date of the charge was Mar. 30.

Charges against Rodrigo Ramirez Ruiz, 33, of Kasilof, of two counts of third-degree assault (repeated threats of death/injury) were dismissed. Dates of the charges were Mar. 30, 2019 – Apr. 8, 2019.

The following judgments were recently handed down in Kenai District Court:

Nikolas Basson, 19, of Soldotna, pleaded guilty to fourth-degree assault (recklessly injure), committed July 7, 2020. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail with 85 days suspended, fined a $100 court surcharge and a $150 jail surcharge with $100 suspended, ordered to have no contact with victim, and placed on probation for 12 months.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Glen James Carlson, 49, of Kenai, pleaded guilty to driving while license canceled, revoked or suspended (with a previous conviction), committed Jan. 18, 2020. In an amended judgment, which modified the agreed upon jail time and removed the previous language regarding nunc pro tunc credit, he was sentenced to 37 days in jail with 35 days suspended, fined a $100 court surcharge and a $150 jail surcharge with $100 suspended, had his license revoked for 90 days, was ordered not to drive without a valid license, and was placed on probation for 24 months.

Harley David Copenharve, 20, of Soldotna, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence, committed Oct. 30. He was sentenced to 150 days in jail or on electronic monitoring with 130 days suspended, fined $4,000 with $1,000 suspended, a $150 court surcharge, a $150 jail surcharge with $100 suspended and $1,467 cost of imprisonment, unless time is served on electronic monitoring, ordered to complete Alcohol Safety Action Program treatment, had his license revoked for one year, ordered ignition interlock for 12 months, ordered not to possess, consume or buy alcohol for two years, and was placed on probation or two years. All other charges in this case were dismissed.

Devon Owen Corbell, 30, of Anchor Point, pleaded guilty to fifth-degree misconduct involving weapons (carrying a concealed weapon and failure to inform officer), committed Oct. 2. He was fined $250, a $100 court surcharge and a $50 jail surcharge. All other charges in this case were dismissed.

Rebecca Douthit, 30, of Soldotna, pleaded guilty to driving while license canceled, revoked or suspended (with a previous conviction), committed Nov. 1. She was sentenced to 30 days in jail with 30 days suspended, fined a $100 court surcharge and a $100 jail surcharge with $100 suspended, and placed on probation for 12 months.

Rickey D. Epling, Jr., 51, of Soldotna, pleaded guilty to one count of fifth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance, committed Feb. 6, and one count of violating conditions of release for a misdemeanor, committed July 7. On count one, he was sentenced to 90 days in jail with all but time served suspended, fined a $100 court surcharge and a $150 jail surcharge with $100 suspended, ordered not to possess controlled substances without a valid prescription, taken as prescribed, and maintained in their original containers, and was placed on probation for 24 months. The charge of violating conditions of release was judged a conviction of record only. All other charges in this case were dismissed.

Rickey Dean Epling, Jr., 51, of Soldotna, pleaded guilty to one count of driving under the influence and one count of violating conditions of release for a misdemeanor, committed Aug. 5. On the count of driving under the influence, he was sentenced to 120 days in jail or on electronic monitoring with 117 days suspended, fined $2,000 with $500 suspended, a $150 court surcharge, a $150 jail surcharge with $100 suspended and $330 cost of imprisonment, ordered to complete Alcohol Safety Action Program treatment, had his license revoked for 90 days, ordered not to possess controlled substances without a valid prescription, taken as prescribed, and maintained in their original containers, and was placed on probation for two years. The count of violating conditions of release was judged a conviction of record only. All other charges in this case were dismissed.

Jesse Zephaniah James, 38, of Wasilla, pleaded guilty to fourth-degree criminal mischief, committed June 14, 2020. He was sentenced to 180 days in jail with 180 days suspended, fined a $100 court surcharge and a $100 jail surcharge with $100 suspended, ordered to have no contact with victims, ordered to complete 25 hours of community work service, ordered to pay restitution, forfeited all items seized, and was placed on probation for 12 months. All other charges in this case were dismissed.

Michael Alan Jaqua, Sr., 35, of Nikiski, pleaded guilty to violating a domestic violence protective order, committed Oct. 23. He was sentenced to 60 days in jail with 60 days suspended, fined a $100 court surcharge and a $150 jail surcharge with $100 suspended, ordered to have no contact with victim, ordered to complete a Batterer’s Intervention Program, agreed to comply with all conditions in the domestic violence protective order, and was placed on probation for 12 months.

Shayne Alyse Kluth, 33, of Anchorage, pleaded guilty to driving while license canceled, revoked or suspended (with a previous conviction), committed Nov. 19, 2020. Kluth was sentenced to 10 days in jail with 10 days suspended, fined a $100 court surcharge and a $100 jail surcharge with $100 suspended, and placed on probation for 12 months.

William E. Knackstedt, 64, of Kenai, pleaded guilty to one count of violating a domestic violence protective order, committed Jan. 31, and one count of violating conditions of release for a misdemeanor, committed Apr. 27. On count one, he was sentenced to time served, fined a $100 court surcharge and a $50 jail surcharge, and ordered to follow all the conditions in another case as long as it is in effect. The count of violating conditions of release was judged a conviction of record only.

Michael Stevens Lynch, 30, of Kasilof, pleaded guilty to fourth-degree theft, committed Sept. 11, 2020. He was sentenced to 45 days in jail with 45 days suspended, fined $1,000 with $500 suspended, a $100 court surcharge and a $100 jail surcharge with $100 suspended, ordered to have no contact with Sportsman’s Warehouse, and placed on probation for 12 months.

Michael Stevens Lynch, 30, of Sterling, pleaded guilty to no motor vehicle liability insurance, committed June 23. He was sentenced to 45 days in jail with 45 days suspended, fined a $100 court surcharge and a $100 jail surcharge with $100 suspended, and placed on probation for 12 months.

Samual M. Myers, 19, of Soldotna, pleaded guilty to one count of fourth-degree assault (recklessly injure) and one count of violating conditions of release for a misdemeanor, committed Dec. 9, 2020. On the count of fourth-degree assault, he was sentenced to 180 days in jail with 120 days suspended, fined a $100 court surcharge and a $150 jail surcharge with $100 suspended, ordered to complete an anger management course and follow all recommendations, and placed on probation for three years. The count of violating conditions of release was judge a conviction of record only, with no time imposed. All other charges in this case were dismissed.

Kathleen Mae Napageak, 38, of Nuiqsut, pleaded guilty to one count of driving under the influence and one count of violating conditions of release for a misdemeanor, committed July 26, 2020. On count one, she was sentenced to 150 days in jail or on electronic monitoring with 130 days suspended, fined $4,000 with $1,000 suspended, a $150 court surcharge, a $150 jail surcharge with $100 suspended and $1,467 cost of imprisonment, ordered to complete Alcohol Safety Action Program treatment, had her license revoked for one year, ordered ignition interlock for 12 months, ordered not to possess, consume or buy alcohol for three years, and placed on probation for 36 months. On count two, she was sentenced to 45 days in jail with 45 days suspended, ordered not to consume or buy alcohol for 36 months, ordered to contact the Alcohol Safety Action Program for a substance/alcohol abuse assessment and follow all recommendations, concurrent with that condition in count one, and was placed on probation for 36 months.

William E. Quill, 49, of Kenai, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence, committed Nov. 7. He was sentenced to 150 days in jail or on electronic monitoring with 130 days suspended, fined $4,000 with $1,000 suspended, a $150 court surcharge, a $150 jail surcharge with $100 suspended and $1,467 cost of imprisonment, unless time is served on electronic monitoring, ordered to complete Alcohol Safety Action Program treatment, had his license revoked for one year, ordered ignition interlock for 12 months, ordered not to possess, consume or buy alcohol for five years, and placed on probation for five years.

William E. Quill, 49, of Kenai, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence, committed Nov. 8. He was sentenced to 150 days in jail or on electronic monitoring with 130 days suspended, fined $4,000 with $1,000 suspended, a $150 court surcharge, a $150 jail surcharge with $100 suspended and $1,467 cost of imprisonment, unless time served on electronic monitoring, ordered to complete Alcohol Safety Action Program treatment, had his license revoked for one year, ordered ignition interlock for 12 months, ordered not to possess, consume or buy alcohol for five years, and placed on probation for five years.

Rodrigo Rameriz Ruiz, 33, of Kasilof, pleaded guilty to reckless driving, committed Sept. 22, 2018. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail, fined a $50 court surcharge and a $50 jail surcharge, and had his license revoked for 30 days.

Gregory Saathoff, 54, of Soldotna, pleaded guilty to one count of fourth-degree assault (recklessly injure) and one count of first-degree criminal trespass (in a dwelling), committed Sept. 11. On count one, he was sentenced to 300 days in jail with all but time served suspended, fined a $100 court surcharge and a $150 jail surcharge with $100 suspended, ordered to have no contact with victim, ordered not to consume or buy alcohol for 24 months, ordered to contact the Alcohol Safety Action Program for a substance/alcohol abuse assessment and follow all recommendations, may have a one-time civil assist to retrieve undisputed personal belongings, and was placed on probation for 24 months. On count two, he was sentenced to 120 days in jail with 120 days suspended, ordered to have no contact with victim, ordered not to consume or buy alcohol for 24 months, ordered to contact the Alcohol Safety Action Program for a substance/alcohol abuse assessment and follow all recommendations, may have a one-time civil assist to retrieve undisputed personal belongings, and was placed on probation for 24 months. All other charge in this case were dismissed.

Jeffrey D. Sapinoro-Maher, 41, of Homer, pleaded guilty to one count of driving under the influence and one count of violating conditions of release, committed Aug. 28. On the count of driving under the influence, he was sentenced to 150 days in jail or on electronic monitoring with 130 days suspended, fined $4,000 with $1,000 suspended, a $150 court surcharge, a $150 jails surcharge with $100 suspended and $1,467 cost of imprisonment, ordered to complete Alcohol Safety Action Program treatment, had his license revoked for one year, ordered not to possess controlled substances without prescription, taken only as prescribed, and kept in original container, and was placed on probation for three years. On the count of violating conditions of release, he was sentenced to 60 days in jail with 60 days suspended. All other charges in this case were dismissed.

The following judgments were recently handed down in Kenai Superior Court:

Samual Mathias Myers, 19, of Soldotna, pleaded guilty to one felony count of first-degree vehicle theft and one misdemeanor count of an amended charge of fourth-degree assault (causing fear of injury), committed Aug. 25. On the count of first-degree vehicle theft, imposition of sentence was suspended and he was placed on probation for three years, fined a $200 court surcharge and a $200 jail surcharge with $100 suspended, ordered to pay $250 cost of appointed counsel, ordered to have no contact with victim, and ordered, among other conditions of probation, to complete anger management counseling, a violence rehabilitation program, or an alternative to violence program, ordered to participate in and successful complete a Cognitive Skills/Thinking errors course if required to do so by the probation officer, ordered not to consume alcohol to excess, not to consume or possess illegal drugs or possess drug paraphernalia or be present where illegal drugs are being sold or consumed or have illegal drugs in his residence, ordered to submit to search directed by a probation officer for the presence of alcohol, illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia or weapons, ordered not to drive any motor vehicles, including but not limited to snowmachines, ATVs or boats without prior approval of the probation officer, and ordered to pay restitution. On the count of fourth-degree assault, he was sentenced to 360 days in jail with 300 days suspended, ordered to have no contact with victim, and placed on probation for three years. All other charges in this case were dismissed.

Rodrigo R. Ruiz, 33, of Kasilof, was found guilty of third-degree criminal mischief, committed Sept. 11, 2018. He was sentenced to four years in prison with two years suspended, credited for time already served, fined a $100 court surcharge and a $200 jail surcharge with $100 suspended, ordered to pay $500 cost of appointed counsel, ordered to have no contact with victims, ordered, among other conditions of probation, to complete substance abuse and mental health evaluations and comply with treatment recommendations, ordered not to consume alcohol, ordered to submit to search directed by a probation officer, with or without probable cause, for the presence of alcohol, controlled substances, drug paraphernalia, and weapons, ordered to have no contact with Central Peninsula Hospital outside their official capacity as a health organization providing care, ordered not to use, possess, consume or ingest any alcoholic beverages or illegal controlled substances, including marijuana and synthetic drugs, ordered not to reside where alcoholic beverages are present nor enter any business establishment whose primary business is the sale of alcohol, and was placed on probation for five years.

More in News

Member Tom Tougas, far right, speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Tourism Industry Working Group in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Tourism working group rejects bed tax, recommends seasonal sales tax adjustment

The document includes a section that says the borough could alternatively leave its tax structure exactly as it is.

The rescued sea otter pup looks at the camera in this undated picture, provided by the Alaska SeaLife Center. (Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center)
Stranded otter pup rescued from Homer beach

She is estimated to be around 2 months old and was found alone by concerned beach walkers.

Kenai Peninsula College Director Cheryl Siemers speaks to graduates during the 55th commencement ceremony at Kachemak Bay Campus on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Kenai Peninsula College leadership sees temporary transitions

KPC Director Cheryl Siemers is serving as interim UAA chancellor, while former KBC director Reid Brewer fills in her role.

Ash-Lee Waddell (center) of Homer is one of six recipients of the 2025 First Lady’s Volunteer Award at the Governor’s Residence in Juneau, Alaska, on May 13, 2025. Photo courtesy of the Office of the Governor
First lady honors Alaska volunteers

Volunteers from Homer and Nikiski were recognized.

The front of the Kenai Police Department as seen on Dec. 10, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Update: Middle schooler reported missing found after 24-hour search

The student was seen leaving Kenai Middle School at around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The Oceania Riviera stands out against a bluebird sky at the Homer Harbor on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. Over 1200 passengers from aboard the boat explored Homer throughout the beautiful day. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Homer tourism season kicks off with arrival of cruise ships

The first cruise ship of the season arrived April 28 with 930 passengers.

tease
‘Tomorrow — remember you are still a learner’

Kachemak Bay Campus graduated 49 students during its 55th annual commencement hosted on May 7.

Mt. Redoubt rises above Cook Inlet and the Anchor River drainage as fireweed is in bloom, as seen from Diamond Ridge Road on Friday, July 22, 2022, near Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Native plants provide lifeline for local songbirds

Shorebird Festival talk highlights importance of native plants.

Sterling Elementary School students collect trash from the banks of the Kenai River near Bing’s Landing in Sterling, Alaska, during the 10th Annual Kenai River Spring Cleanup on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Cleaning up the mess that’s left behind

Students from six local schools combed for litter during the 10th Annual Kenai River Spring Cleanup.

Most Read

You're browsing in private mode.
Please sign in or subscribe to continue reading articles in this mode.

Peninsula Clarion relies on subscription revenue to provide local content for our readers.

Subscribe

Already a subscriber? Please sign in