From the Courts - State District Court: Man sentenced to time served in registration violation

A man who pleaded guilty to failing to register as a sexual or violent offender was sentenced in state District Court in Havre to 10 days served, with the judge saying additional sentencing would be an inefficient use of state resources.

James Thomas Block was charged Feb. 10 after Colorado law enforcement contacted Havre law enforcement Jan. 27 to report Block had not updated his registry and was believed to be in Havre.

He was arrested Feb. 3.

Block is required to register under a 1996 conviction of sexual assault in Colorado and a 1994 conviction of arson in Teton County.

June 29, he pleaded guilty to the charge.

Monday, District Judge Kaydee Snipes Ruiz sentenced Block to 10 days in jail with credit for 10 days served and ordered him to pay $130 in fees and surcharges.

Snipes Ruiz said the reason for the sentence is that Block’s most recent felony conviction before this failure to register charge is from 25 years ago and, aside from traffic offenses, he has not been charged with any offenses, adding he has transitioned into the community remarkably well, a court document said.

Snipes Ruiz said probationary supervision does not appear to be needed in his case, as he is considered at low risk to offend again and probation is not needed for public safety and would be an inefficient use of state resources.