Baker Sentenced To Eight Years In State Prison
Jesse Hank Baker III had his dispositional hearing in district court on Wednesday, March 12, after admitting to the violation of the conditions of his probation.
Baker was sentenced by District Judge Benjamin Fosland to eight years in the Montana State Prison with none of the time suspended. The hearing used video conferencing from the Yellowstone County Detention Center. In his sentencing memorandum, Roosevelt County Attorney Thomas Bleicher noted that Baker has four felonies pending in Yellowstone County. After Baker was released from the Roosevelt County Detention Center at 4:37 p.m. on May 29, 2024, and started probation within the community, the police were dispatched at approximately 9:31 p.m. for an alleged parole violation. “The defendant was in the community for a total of five hours before committing new crimes,” Bleicher said.
After escaping from law enforcement, Baker is accused of committing four felonies in Billings. Baker also has numerous convictions in the Fort Peck Tribal Court System including fleeing or eluding law enforcement, unlawful possession of dangerous drugs, theft and burglary.
He is also awaiting sentencing in Valley County for the felony charge of criminal endangerment.
“Needless to say, the defendant has shown a clear inability to be in the community,” Bleicher said. “All of these facts were taken into consideration when drafting the joint dispositional agreement and recommending that the defendant be sentenced to the Montana State Prison for eight years.”
