An embattled state senator and suspended Blackfeet tribal councilor pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and threatening a public official in tribal court Wednesday, according to court records.
Shannon Augare appeared in Blackfeet Tribal Court in Browning on Oct. 23, two weeks before he was due in federal court in Great Falls to face similar charges related to an incident in the spring.
It remains unclear how Augare’s plea in tribal court will affect the federal case.
Neither Augare nor his attorney, Joe McKay, returned calls seeking comment from the Beacon. U.S. attorney spokeswoman Victoria Francis declined to comment to the Associated Press.
According to court documents obtained by the Beacon, Augare was charged and pleaded guilty in tribal court on Oct. 23 to threatening a public official, driving while under the influence of alcohol and reckless driving.
Augare faced a fine of $1,150 and up to 37 days in jail. Chief Judge Allie Edwards rolled back that punishment, instead handing Augare a 37-day suspended sentence. Augare will also submit to a chemical dependency evaluation and pay either $400 to the court or $200 worth of toys for the tribe’s Toys For Tots fundraiser in December.
Click here to read the court documents from Browning.
In May, the Browning Democrat was pulled over by a Glacier County sheriff’s deputy near Cut Bank. According to the officer, Augare was driving recklessly and smelled of alcohol. Augare told the officer that he didn’t have jurisdiction and drove off.
This summer, Augare was charged with misdemeanor counts of drunken driving, reckless driving and obstruction of a peace officer. A federal trial is set for Nov. 7.
RELATED: Blackfeet Chairman Suspends Augare