The entrance to the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, AK as seen on February 26, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

The entrance to the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, AK as seen on February 26, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Court reports for the week of Feb. 21, 2021

Read the latest

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

Christopher M. Bender, 50, of Kenai, pleaded guilty to an amended charge of second-degree harassment, committed Feb. 13. 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 to complete a domestic violence intervention program, and was placed on probation for 12 months.

Dana Lee Bush, 49, of Kenai, pleaded guilty to avoiding an interlock device, committed Aug. 7, 2019. Bush was fined a $100 court surcharge and placed on probation for 12 months.

Hannah Joy Hoelscher, 58, of Kenai, pleaded guilty to violating conditions of release, committed Apr. 18, 2020. She was fined a $100 court surcharge and a $150 jail surcharge with $100 suspended and placed on probation for 12 months. All other charges in this case were dismissed.

Hannah J. Hoelscher, 58, of Kenai, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence, committed July 10. She was sentenced to 90 days in jail with 87 days suspended, fined $2,000 with $500 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 90 days, ordered ignition interlock for six months, ordered not to consume or possess alcohol during probation, and was placed on probation for 12 months.

Daniel William Jenkins, 39, of Soldotna, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence, committed July 19. He was sentenced to 120 days in jail with 100 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 his license revoked for one year, forfeited all items seized, and was placed on probation for 36 months.

Cody Wayne Meyer, 24, of Nikiski, pleaded no contest to fourth-degree assault (recklessly injure), committed Feb. 13. He was sentenced to 60 days in jail with all but time served suspended, fined a $100 court surcharge and a $150 jail surcharge with $100 suspended, ordered to contact the Alcohol Safety Action Program and follow all recommendations, and was placed on probation for 12 months.

Elijah Xavier Royal-Reyna, 19, of Kenai, pleaded guilty to fourth-degree assault (recklessly injure), committed July 7. 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 to have no contact with victim, and placed on probation for 12 months. If time served is or exceeds 90 days, there is no probationary period to follow.

Rory Joe Hoeldt, 46, of Kenai, pleaded guilty to fourth-degree assault (causing fear of injury), committed Jan. 30, 2020. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail and fined a $100 court surcharge and a $50 jail surcharge. All other charges in this case were dismissed.

Daniel William Jenkins, 39, address unknown, pleaded guilty to an amended charge of fifth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance (possession of any amount), committed Aug. 27, 2019. He was sentenced to 360 days in jail with 90 days suspended, fined a $100 court surcharge and a $150 jail surcharge with $100 suspended, and placed on probation for 36 months.

Raymond Kromwall, 22, address unknown, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct (creating a hazardous condition), committed Dec. 4, 2018. He was sentenced to three days in jail with three days suspended, fined a $50 court surcharge and a $150 jail surcharge with $100 suspended, ordered not to consume or buy alcohol for six months, ordered to complete a substance/alcohol abuse assessment and follow all recommendations, and placed on probation for six months.

Eric R, Luna, 35, of Soldotna, pleaded guilty to fourth-degree assault, a domestic violence offense committed Jan. 4. He was sentenced to 360 days in jail with 330 days suspended, fined a $100 court surcharge and a $150 jail surcharge with $100 suspended, forfeited all items seized, and was placed on probation for three years. All other charges in this case were dismissed.

Richard George Poage, 44, of Soldotna, pleaded guilty to permitting an unauthorized person to drive, committed June 10. He was fined $750, a $100 court surcharge, and a $50 jail surcharge.

Rachel A. Thomas, 37, of Kenai, pleaded guilty to driving while license canceled, revoked or suspended, committed Feb. 9, 2020. She was sentenced to 10 days in jail, fined a $100 court surcharge and a $150 jail surcharge with $100 suspended, had her license revoked for 90 days, and forfeited all items seized.

Rachel Ann Thomas, 37, of Kenai, pleaded guilty to fourth-degree theft, committed Feb. 15, 2020. She was fined $250, a $100 court surcharge and a $150 jail surcharge with $100 suspended, ordered to have no contact with Kenai Walmart or a specifically named person, ordered to pay restitution, forfeited all items seized, and was placed on probation for 36 months. All other charges in this case were dismissed.

Rachel Ann Thomas, 37, of Kenai, pleaded guilty to driving while license canceled, revoked or suspended, committed Mar. 7, 2020. She was sentenced to 10 days in jail, fined $500, a $100 court surcharge and a $150 jail surcharge with $100 suspended, had her license revoked for 90 days, and forfeited all items seized.

Rachel Ann Thomas, 37, of Kenai, pleaded guilty to driving while license canceled, revoked or suspended, committed Sept. 26. She was sentenced to 10 days in jail, fined $500, a $100 court surcharge and a $150 jail surcharge with $100 suspended, had her license revoked for 90 days, and forfeited all items seized.

Rachel Ann Thomas, 37, of Kenai, pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted unauthorized use of access device/ID and two counts of fourth-degree theft, committed Oct. 27. On the first count of attempted unauthorized use of access device/ID, she was fined $1,000, a $100 court surcharge and a $150 jail surcharge with $100 suspended, ordered to have no contact with Walmart or a specifically named person, ordered to pay restitution, forfeited all items seized, and was placed on probation for 36 months. On the second count of unauthorized use of access device/ID, she was ordered to have no contact with Walmart of a specifically named person, ordered to pay restitution, forfeited all items seized, and was placed on probation for 36 months. On the first count of fourth-degree theft, she was fined $250, ordered to have no contact with Walmart or a specifically named person, ordered to pay restitution, forfeited all items seized, and was placed on probation for 36 months. On the second count of fourth-degree theft, she was fined $250, ordered to have no contact with Walmart or a specifically named person, ordered to pay restitution, forfeited all items seized, and was placed on probation for 36 months. All other charges in this case were dismissed.

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

Rory Joe Hoeldt, 46, of Kenai, pleaded guilty to fourth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance with a previous conviction of fifth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance within the preceding 10 years, committed Nov. 16, 2019. He was sentenced to 17 months in prison, credited for time spent in residential treatment, and fined a $200 court surcharge and a $100 court surcharge. All other charges in this case were dismissed.

More in News

Jason Criss stands for a photo in Soldotna, Alaska, after being named a qualifier for the Special Olympics USA Games on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna athlete to compete in 2026 Special Olympics USA Games

Thousands of athletes from across all 50 states will be competing in 16 sports.

The entrance to the Homer Electric Association office is seen here in Kenai, Alaska on May 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
HEA opens bids for real property

The deadline to submit bids is 5 p.m. on Aug. 11.

Arturo Mondragon-Lopez, Jr. (right) attends a change of plea hearing related to the October 2023 fatal shooting of Brianna Hetrick on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, at the Homer Courthouse in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Mondragon-Lopez sentenced for death of Homer woman

Arturo Mondragon-Lopez, Jr. accepted a plea deal in February for the shooting of Brianna Hetrick.

Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna OKs $395,000 capital plan

This year’s list of capital projects is “nominal compared to some past years,” according to officials.

A map of areas proposed for annexation by the City of Soldotna. (Provided by City of Soldotna)
Soldotna adds annexation proposal to ballot

The proposed annexation is split across five small areas around the city.

Nets are extended from North Kenai Beach in Kenai, Alaska, during the first day of the Kenai River personal use dipnet fishery on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
‘A really good day’

Kenai River personal use sockeye salmon dipnet fishery opens.

The entrance to the Kenai Peninsula Borough building in Soldotna is seen here on June 1. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Borough assembly to consider ordinance to increase residential property tax exemption

If approved by voters in October, the ordinance would increase the tax exemption by $25,000.

Vice President Kelly Cooper speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Borough considers seasonal sales tax rate

Borough sales tax would be modified from a flat 3% to a seasonal model of 4% in summer months and 2% in winter months.

Most Read