Drug trafficking, attempted robbery charges land Montana man in prison

SANDPOINT – A Montana man convicted on a charge of attempted robbery will spend at least two years in prison after pleading guilty to the charge in First District Court earlier this month.

Zhenya Elijah Mowry, 34, was sentenced to a minimum of two years in prison after entering an Alford plea of guilty on June 8.

Under an Alford plea, a defendant admits no wrongdoing but concedes a guilty verdict could result following a trial. The plea is treated no differently than a standard plea of guilt at sentencing.

In a Feb. 11 incident, bystanders and surveillance footage saw Mowry attack a female by wrapping his arm around her neck, and throwing her to the ground in front of Perfection Tire on U.S. 95. The Daily Bee does not publish the names of victims in the interest of their privacy. He proceeded to try and steal the victim's purse, but she refused to let go. As bystanders rushed to her assistance, Mowry fled the scene.

A warrant was issued for Mowry’s arrest after deputies documented scratches and bruises on the victim. Officers were able to locate Mowry, he told law enforcement that the woman had his car keys in her purse, and he was trying to get them back.

Three additional charges against Mowry for domestic violence and attempted strangulation were dropped in exchange to the plea. Those charges related to an earlier attack on the victim ten days prior to the February 11 incident. In a statement to officers, the victim testifies that Mowry threw her to the ground inside her residence. She said she could feel her windpipe collapse and was unable to breathe while Mowry held her down and spit on her, according to court records.

The request to reduce Mowry’s bond was denied on April 6. Mowry has already served 118 days of his sentence. The plea agreement for this case also functioned as the plea agreement for other open cases against Mowry.

He has other charges in Kootenai County from a February 2017 incident where he was found with methamphetamine and paraphernalia in his 2003 blue GMC Yukon. Mowry also had marijuana on his person. These charges were later dropped in exchange for Mowry’s Alford plea of guilty on June 8th.

In addition to a $500 fine, Mowry pleaded guilty to possession of amphetamine with intent to deliver, and submitted an Alford guilty plea for attempted robbery– even though the victim asked to have the charges dropped. All sentences are for two to four years, and will be served concurrently.