From the Courts: State District Court - Man sentenced to five years probation, and forfeits cash and vehicle on drug charges

A man was sentenced in state District Court in Havre to five years probation and was ordered to forfeit $535 and a 2008 Saab SUV after he previously pleaded guilty to reduced drug charges in a plea agreement.

Aaron Michael Bishop pleaded guilty Oct. 29 to felony charges of criminal possession of dangerous drugs, amended from a charge of criminal possession of dangerous drugs with intent to distribute, use or possession of property subject to forfeiture, and a misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of intoxicants, first offense. Under the plea agreement, charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and failing to provide proof of insurance were dismissed.

District Judge Jon Oldenburg of Lewistown sentenced Bishop to five years, all suspended, and ordered him to forfeit the cash and vehicle.

Bishop was charged after he was reported to have left a residence suspected to house a drug user and was pulled over on suspicion of driving with expired registration. Bishop refused to allow police to search the Saab SUV, and officers obtained a warrant. They found methamphetamine and a pipe as well as a cellphone and a large amount of cash.