The Alaska State Troopers reported the following incidents. Any charges reported are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance
COOPER LANDING—On Oct. 15 at approximately 2:50 p.m., a Trooper conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle at 40 mile of the Sterling Highway for a traffic violation. The passenger, Bobby Smith Jr., 20, of Anchor Point, was subsequently arrested for Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance in the II, III, and IV x 2 after Troopers located Controlled Substances in his possession. Smith Jr. was transported and remanded at the Seward Jail without incident. Bail amount is pending arraignment on Oct. 16.
Warrant Arrest
COOPER LANDING—On Oct. 15 at approximately 1450 hours, a Trooper conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle at 40 mile of the Sterling Highway for a traffic violation. The driver, Daniel Gentry, 22, of Soldotna, was subsequently arrested for an outstanding arrested warrant on the original charge of driving without insurance. Gentry was transported to the Seward City Jail and remanded without bail.
DUI
COOPER LANDING—On Oct. 16 at approximately 2:21 p.m. Troopers received a REDDI (Report Every Drunk Driver Immediately) report after a vehicle was observed crossing the center/fog lines and struck a guard rail. A Cooper Landing based State Trooper responded to the area and contacted the vehicle at 58 mile of the Sterling Highway at the Skilak Lake Loop entrance. The driver Teira Turner, 26, of Anchorage, was subsequently arrested for DUI. Turner was transported to the Seward Jail and remanded without incident. Bail was set at $500.
Reckless Driving, Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance, Weapons 3rd Degree
GIRDWOOD—On Oct. 17 at approximately 9:10 p.m., a Trooper stopped a 2006 Mazda sports car near mile 62 of the Seward Highway for speeding in excess of 100 MPH and driving without its headlights illuminated when it was totally dark. Following an investigation the driver of the vehicle, Joshua Lane age 35 of Kenai, was arrested on the charges of Reckless Driving, Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance 3rd Degree and Misconduct Involving Weapons 3rd Degree. Lane was remanded to the Anchorage Jail with a bail of $15,000. This investigation is continuing and further felony drug possession charges may be forthcoming.
Assault III, Assault IV
GIRDWOOD—On Oct. 18 at 11:34 p.m., a Trooper responded to Alyeska Housing in Girdwood for the report of a domestic disturbance involving a knife and an injured woman. An investigation revealed Dione A. Ormond, age 46 of Girdwood, had assaulted two male adults, one with a knife. Ormond was arrested for Assault III and Assault IV (DV) and transported to an Anchorage hospital for medical treatment. She was later remanded to the Anchorage Jail held on a $2,000 bail.
Motor Vehicle Collision
GIRDWOOD—On Oct. 20 at 8:27 a.m., Troopers responded to a motor vehicle collision involving a single vehicle rollover near mile 74 of the Seward Highway. The crash investigation determined Wilson F. House (age 23 of Sterling, AK) was operating a mid 80’s sport utility type vehicle traveling southbound on the Seward Highway when the vehicle lost traction on the icy pavement. The vehicle went off the southbound side of the highway and overturned. Wilson was wearing a seat belt and was uninjured.
Search and Rescue
WHITTIER—On Oct. 22 at 9:21 a.m., Denise Demers of Anchorage, reported her husband, Arthur Demers and his cousin, Jeffrey Unok of Kotlik, departed Whittier for a hunting trip on Montague Island. The two men left on Friday, Oct. 17 and were expected to return on Sunday, Oct. 19. The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and AST Helo-1 initiated a search. At approximately 4:30 p.m., the Coast Guard located the two men on the island. The two men confirmed they were OK, and that they were heading back to Whittier.
Motor Vehicle Crash
HOPE—On Oct. 20 at 7:30 a.m., a Cooper Landing based State Trooper along with Cooper Landing EMS, Moose Pass Volunteer Fire Department, and Hope Volunteer Fire Department responded to 5.5 mile of the Hope Highway following a report of a Motor Vehicle Crash. Investigation revealed Richard Hogan, 75, of Hope, lost control of his 2004 Dodge Caravan due to the icy road conditions and hit an embankment causing his vehicle to roll. Hogan was not wearing his seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle. Hogan was transported by Life Guard Alaska helicopter and his passenger was transported by ambulance to Providence Medical Center in Anchorage for treatment of their injuries.
Driving Without a License, Allowing an Unlicensed Driver to Drive
COOPER LANDING—On Oct. 24, at about 11:50 a.m., Troopers stopped a vehicle near mile 44 of the Sterling Highway for erratic driving. During the stop it was found that Akmaral Zheltykayenva, 27 of Kenai, was driving without a valid drivers license. Further investigation showed that Dean Kassube, 47 of Kenai, had allowed Zheltykayenva to operate the vehicle knowing that she did not have a driver’s license. Zheltykayenva was given a summons to appear in court for driving without a valid driver’s license and released at the scene. Kassube was given a summons to appear in court for allowing an unlicensed driver to drive and released at the scene.
Driving While License Revoked
COOPER LANDING—On Oct. 19 at 6:24 p.m., a Trooper stopped a vehicle near mile 44 of the Sterling Highway for speeding. The driver was contacted and identified as 19 year old Hoolehua Lavea of Soldotna. A check of driving records showed that Lavea’s drivers license was in a revoked status. Lavea was released at the scene after being cited for speeding and given a summons to appear in court.
Marijuana Possession
GIRDWOOD—On Oct. 24 at 9:30 p.m., a Trooper contacted multiple subjects in two parked vehicles that were blacked out behind the Day Lodge parking lot in Girdwood. David R. Good, age 19 of Anchorage, was identified as a passenger in a 2004 Chevy Impala, and was found to be in possession of marijuana. Good was issued a summons to appear in court for Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance 6th Degree and released on scene.
Motor Vehicle Collision
COOPER LANDING—On Nov. 1 at 7:20 a.m., Troopers responded to a single vehicle rollover at mile 49.5 of the Sterling Highway. An investigation showed that Jocob Knight, 23 of Anchorage, had been traveling too fast for conditions and had hit an area of black ice in a curve, which caused him to lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle went into the ditch where it rolled once and came to rest in the roadway. Knight and his passengers were wearing seat belts and sustained minor injuries, which were treated at the scene by Cooper Landing EMS. Knight was given a citation for basic speed and released at the scene. The vehicle was a total loss and alcohol was not a factor.
Disorderly Conduct, Indecent Exposure 2nd Degree, Theft 4th Degree
GIRDWOOD—On Nov. 2 at approximately 8:38 p.m., two Troopers responded to the parking lot of the U.S. Post Office Girdwood for the report of a fight in progress. Following an investigation Matthew Hutter, age 28 of Homer, was arrested on the charges of Disorderly Conduct, Indecent Exposure, and Theft 4th Degree. He was remanded to the Anchorage Jail.