Juvenile criminals back in the system

Three of the five juveniles who racked up 60-some criminal charges in the Canyon are already back in the system. All three had already been sentenced to probation.

Daniel Trenk, 16, Coram, pleaded guilty in Flathead County District Court on Jan. 18 to a charge of felony theft after he was charged with stealing a van on Ferndale Road on Nov. 22, 2012.

Trenk admitted in court that he had been drinking and saw the keys in the van as he walked past. He was already on probation for misdemeanor charges of assault and criminal trespass to property after he allegedly assaulted a boy in Martin City on Feb. 12, 2012.

Matthew Hauck, 15, Martin City, was arrested in Hungry Horse several hours after Trenk made his court appearance. Hauck, who was present when Trenk allegedly assaulted the boy in Martin City, was caught in the act of writing on the bathroom walls in the Canyon Foods store.

Hauck, who had been banned from the store, was on probation after being charged with felony counts of theft and burglary and misdemeanor counts of theft, criminal mischief, accountability to assault, criminal trespass to property and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Skyla Komeotis, 16, Kalispell, was picked up by Kalispell police officers on Wolfpack Way less than an hour after Hauck was arrested. She was charged with violating conditions of her probation.

Komeotis was initially charged with felony counts of burglary and theft and misdemeanor counts of partner-family member assault, theft, accountability to theft, unauthorized use of a vehicle, disorderly conduct, obstructing a peace officer, privacy in communications and assault.

Komeotis allegedly participated in several crimes involving Hauck and Hauck’s brother, James Smith, 13, Hungry Horse. Smith was the only juvenile of the five who didn’t get probation but instead was sent to the Pine Hills Youth Correctional Facility.