Court reports for the week of Jan. 24, 2021

Read the latest

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

James Henry, 41, of Kenai, pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal trespass (on land, intend crime), committed May 27. He was fined a $100 court surcharge and a $150 jail surcharge with $100 suspended, ordered to have no contact with victims, ordered to complete a mental health assessment and follow all recommendations, ordered to pay $1,465 restitution (paid), and was placed on probation for 12 months. All other charges in this case were dismissed.

William Linthorst, 46, of Anchorage, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence, committed Aug. 15. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail or on electronic monitoring with 87 days suspended (completed on electronic monitoring), fined $2,000 with $500 suspended, a $150 court surcharge and a $150 jail surcharge with $100 suspended, ordered to complete Alcohol Safety Action Program treatment, had his license revoked for 90 days, ordered ignition interlock for six months, forfeited all items seized, and was placed on probation for 12 months.

Loren James Burns, 20, of Soldotna, pleaded guilty to fourth-degree criminal mischief, committed Sept. 13. He was sentenced to 30 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 to complete 25 hours of community work service, ordered to pay restitution, and placed on probation for 36 months. All other charges in this case were dismissed.

Desirae Elizabeth Challens, 26, of Kenai, pleaded guilty to an amended charge of reckless driving, committed Dec. 29, 2019. She was 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, had her license revoked for 30 days, and was placed on probation for 12 months. All other charges in this case were dismissed.

Kaleigh Renee R. Fisher, 31, of Soldotna, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence, committed Dec. 28. She was sentenced to 60 days in jail with 57 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 her license revoked for 90 days, ordered ignition interlock for six months, ordered not to possess, consume or buy alcohol for one year, and placed on probation for 12 months.

Craig King, 37, of Nikiski, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence, committed Oct. 18. He 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 $330 cost of imprisonment, ordered to complete Alcohol Safety Action Program treatment, had his license revoked for 90 days, ordered ignition interlock for six months, and placed on probation for 12 months.

James Stanley Liles, 50, of Nikiski, pleaded guilty to amended charges of two counts of fourth-degree assault (causing fear of injury), committed July 12. On count one, he was sentenced to 180 days in jail with 165 days suspended, fined a $100 court surcharge and a $150 jail surcharge with $100 suspended, ordered to have no contact with victims, ordered to pay restitution (paid in full), forfeited items seized, and was placed on probation for 36 months. On count two, he was sentenced to 180 days in jail with 165 days suspended, ordered to have no contact with victims, ordered to pay restitution (paid in full), forfeited items seized, and was placed on probation for 36 months.

James Stanley Liles, 50, of Kenai, pleaded guilty to one count of violating a domestic violence protective order, committed Sept. 28, and one count of an amended charge of fourth-degree assault (causing fear of injury, committed Sept. 20. On the count of violating a domestic violence protective order, he was sentenced to 180 days in jail with 180 days suspended, fined a $100 court surcharge and a $150 jail surcharge with $100 suspended, ordered to have no contact with victims, except for one time with civil standby to retrieve undisputed personal items, ordered to complete a domestic violence intervention program, ordered to pay restitution (paid in full), forfeited items seized, and was placed on probation for 36 months. On the count of fourth-degree assault, he was sentenced to 180 days in jail with 90 days suspended, ordered to have no contact with victims, ordered to complete a domestic violence intervention program, ordered to pay restitution (paid in full), forfeited items seized, and was placed on probation for 36 months. All other charges in this case were dismissed.

Anita C. Eskilida, 46, of Anchorage, pleaded guilty to third-degree theft, committed Dec. 22. She was fined a $100 court surcharge, ordered to have no contact with the Soldotna Fred Meyer store, ordered to pay $309 restitution to the Soldotna Fred Meyer store, and placed on probation for 36 months.

Frank Joseph Marotta, 45, of Soldotna, pleaded guilty to driving while license cancelled, revoked or suspended for a criminal offense, committed Jan. 7. He was fined $250, a $100 court surcharge and a $150 jail surcharge with $100 suspended, and was placed on probation for 12 months.

Warren Chet Urdahl, 57, of Soldotna, pleaded guilty to driving while license cancelled, revoked or suspended for a criminal offense, committed Jan. 8. He was fined $250 and a $100 court surcharge. All other charges in this case were dismissed.

The following judgment was recently handed down in Kenai Superior Court:

Casey John Johnson, 38, address unknown, pleaded guilty to second-degree theft, committed July 26. 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 $300 cost of appointed counsel, ordered to have no contact with victim or a Kalifornsky Beach Road address, forfeited items seized, and ordered, among other conditions of probation, to serve 30 days in prison (time served), ordered not to use, possess or consume any alcoholic beverages or illegal controlled substances, including synthetic drugs and marijuana, ordered not to reside where alcoholic beverages are present or enter any business establishment whose primary business is the sale of alcohol, ordered to complete substance abuse and mental health evaluations and comply with treatment recommendations, 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 evidence of controlled substance transactions, ordered to complete 40 hours of community work service, and ordered not to associate with individuals who use or sell illegal controlled substances or remain in places where illegal controlled substances are used, manufactured, grown or sold. All other charges in this case were dismissed.

More in News

A diagram presented by Seward City Manager Kat Sorenson during a Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting on Dec. 2, 2025, shows the expected timeline for the Port of Seward Vessel Shore Power Implementation Project. Screenshot
Seward shore power project moves into preliminary design phase

The project will create jobs, reduce cruise ship emissions and provide a backup power grid.

The U.S. Forest Service Porcupine Campground offers gorgeous views of the Kenai Mountains and Turnagain Arm, as seen here on July 20, 2020, near Hope, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Department of Natural Resources seeks public input on proposed Kenai Peninsula State Forest

DNR is gathering community perspectives during several meetings this week.

David Ross is sworn in as Kenai Police Chief on Tuesday, May 31, 2016 at Kenai City Hall. The Alaska Association of Chiefs of Police named Ross the 2025 Police Chief of the Year, recognizing over two decades of service. Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion
Kenai police chief named 2025 Police Chief of the Year

The Alaska Association of Chiefs of Police recognized David Ross for his more than two decades of leadership.

The cast of Nikiski Middle School’s upcoming performance of “Alice in Wonderland” is pictured on Dec. 2, 2025. The upperclassmen-directed play opens on Friday, with additional showtimes Saturday and next weekend. Photo courtesy of Carla Jenness
Nikiski Middle School debuts student-led “Alice in Wonderland”

The show opens on Friday, with additional showtimes this weekend and next.

On Tuesday, the Kenaitze Indian Tribe unveiled Kahtnu Area Transit, a public transportation service open to the entire Peninsula Borough community. Photo courtesy of Kahtnu Area Transit
Kenaitze Indian Tribe unveils Kahtnu Area Transit

The fixed bus route offers 13 stops between Nikiski and Sterling.

The Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center hosts the annual Christmas Comes to Kenai on Nov. 28<ins>, 2025</ins>. The beloved event began over 40 years ago, and this year over 1,000 attendees enjoyed hot chocolate, fireworks, pictures with Santa and shopping. Photo courtesy of the Kenai Chamber of Commerce
 Photo courtesy of the Kenai Chamber of Commerce
The Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center hosted the annual Christmas Comes to Kenai on Nov. 28. The beloved event began over 40 years ago, and this year over 1,000 attendees enjoyed hot chocolate, fireworks, pictures with Santa and shopping.
Kicking off a month of holiday festivities

Last weekend’s holiday events, including the annual Christmas Comes to Kenai and the Soldotna Turkey Trot, drew folks from all over the Kenai Peninsula.

Starting Dec. 2, Aleutian Airways will offer roundtrip flights between Anchorage and Unalakleet every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.
Aleutian Airways to offer roundtrip flights between Anchorage and Unalakleet

Starting Dec. 2, Aleutian Airways will offer three roundtrip flights per week.

The Trump administration’s “Big Beautiful Bill” act requires the Bureau of Ocean Energy management to hold at least six offshore oil and gas lease sales in Alaska between 2026-2028 and 2030-2032. The first of these sales — known as “Big Beautiful Cook Inlet 1,” or BBC1— is scheduled for March 2026. Photo courtesy of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Cook Inletkeeper launches petition against federal government

The organization is calling for transparency in Cook Inlet offshore oil and gas sales.

Winter dining has always carried more weight than the menu might suggest. In the off-season, eating out isn’t just about comfort food or convenience; it’s a way of supporting local businesses as they hold steady through the slower months. Photo credit: Canva.
The ripple effect: How local spending builds stronger communities on the Kenai Peninsula

From cozy cafés to fine-dining bistros, purchases made close to home sustain local jobs and services

Most Read