County resident pleads guilty, sentencing in January
(Photo Courtesy of BCSO) Mikael C. Merrifield will face sentencing on Jan. 6, 2021, for charges relating to possession of a controlled substance, grand theft, and eluding law enforcement after state prosecutors dropped charges of malicious injury to property and resisting arrest.
BONNERS FERRY — Mikael C. Merrifield will face sentencing on Jan. 6, 2021, for charges relating to possession of a controlled substance, grand theft, and eluding law enforcement after state prosecutors dropped charges of malicious injury to property and resisting arrest.
According to a news release on June 22, Merrifield, a former Moyie Springs and current Naples resident, was spotted by Boundary County Sheriff deputies in a stolen vehicle on Cow Creek Road, which resulted in the truck becoming lost in the Kootenai River.
Boundary County Sheriffs received a report of a stolen Toyota Tacoma last seen driving south on Hwy 95. Deputies pursued the vehicle and attempted to stop Merrifield, which led to a high-speed pursuit.
Merrifield continued to drive erratically and attempted many evasive maneuvers to escape law enforcement; the high-speed pursuit proceeded onto a railroad access road in Crossport.
The pursuit continued along the Kootenai River and train tracks for over a mile; Merrifield drove on the train tracks and eventually drove off a steep embankment and into the Kootenai River.
An initial bond amount was set at $35,000, requiring that Merrifield resides at his residence unless for work.
On July 28, 2020, the state agreed to release Merrifield on his own recognizance, released after promising, in writing, to appear in court for all upcoming proceedings.
O.R.’s conditions required Merrifield to test weekly for a 10-panel drug test that checks for illegal substances in the systems such as methamphetamine, and the ethyl glucuronide (EtG) test, which checks for low levels of alcohol in the system.
A mental health assessment and following through with any treatment prescribed was required for Merrifield to remain released.
If Merrifield violated his release conditions, the state would recommend the max penalty for the crimes.
On Aug. 18, 2020, a bench warrant was issued for Merrifield’s arrest for his failure to comply with the terms of his conditional releases as ordered by the court.
According to court records, On Monday, Aug. 17, Merrifield “did not show for his drug test, nor did Mr. Merrifield called the probation office.,
On Aug. 20, the court consolidated the three charges against Merrifield, who plead not guilty to the charges he faces.
According to Merrifield, the failure to appear is because he couldn’t get a ride into town from Naples and attempted to call, and no one answered.
The state prosecutor, Tevis Hull, recommended that Merrifield be taken into custody, tested for the substances, and, if negative, released on Monday at 8 a.m.
On Sept. 15, a bench warrant was issued to Merrifield, and for him to appear, the bond was then set to $40,000.
On Nov. 11, Merrifield pleaded guilty to Grand Theft and Flee or attempted to elude a police officer in a motor vehicle.
Sentencing will begin on Jan. 6, 2021, at 1:30 p.m.