Casino robbery suspect enters plea agreement

A Moyie Springs man charged with robbing a Libby, Mont., casino and leading authorities on a 30-mile high-speed chase through Libby and Troy entered a plea agreement in court, while his alleged accomplice may go to trial in March.

Michael James Davis, 37, pleaded guilty Friday to armed robbery and felony criminal endangerment in connection with the Lucky Logger Casino robbery and police chase Sept. 11. If the court accepts the agreement, Davis will receive a 20-year sentence with 10 years suspended and no fine.

The prosecution also agreed to withdraw its Notice of Persistent Felony Offender, a status that would tack on a minimum of five additional years to his prison sentence.

Davis, a parolee with prior felony convictions of theft, forgery and drug distribution, could face a maximum of 60 years in prison — two to 40 years for robbery, two to 10 additional years for use of a firearm in commission of the offense and up to 10 years for criminal endangerment.

David William Redford, 50, maintained his innocence at Friday’s pre-trial conference for allegedly driving Davis away from the casino after the alleged robbery. Police believe Redford drove Davis to McDonald’s, where they traded places and Davis continued the car chase to within miles of the Idaho border.

Redford is being charged with accountability for armed robbery, which carries the same penalties as armed robbery.

Redford’s defense reported that there was a good possibility of a settlement, but in the meantime, a four-day trial is scheduled in March.