Sarah Jones

A Minot woman has been sentenced to serve 120 days after entering into a plea agreement on charges including the theft of a vehicle.

Sarah Natasha Alice Jones, 26, entered her change of plea in North Central District Court on Thursday, pleading guilty to one count of theft-take-over $50,000, a Class A felony; disarming or attempting to disarm a law enforcement officer, a Class C felony; DUI-refusal-third offense in seven years, and false information to law enforcement, both Class A misdemeanors.

Five additional counts for DUI-intoxicating liquor-third offense in seven years, driving under revocation-alcohol related-fourth or subsequent offense in five years, preventing arrest-misdemeanor and possession of controlled substance-marijuana-less than half an ounce, all Class A misdemeanors, were dismissed in accordance with the plea agreement. A ninth count for duty in an accident involving death or injury was previously dismissed on Oct. 21.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, a Ward County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a call the morning of Oct. 7 of a vehicle driving recklessly on U.S. Highway 83 north. Dispatch informed the deputy that multiple calls had been received regarding the vehicle, including one stating the vehicle had crashed into the ditch and was abandoned by the female driver.

The deputy located the 2022 Dodge Challenger Red Eye Hellcat unoccupied with the airbags deployed. A female was located who matched the description provided and was identified as Jones. Jones claimed she was the passenger, and claimed another individual had been driving and fled in the other direction.

According to the affidavit, Jones exhibited multiple signs of impairment and injuries to her forehead and shoulder from the crash. She provided three different names for the individual she claimed was driving the vehicle, but a witness at the scene verified she was the only occupant and exited from the driver’s door. Jones consented to a breathalyzer test, which returned a sample of .168.

Jones was transported to a Minot hospital for treatment. According to the affidavit, Jones had two prior convictions for DUI and four active warrants in Burleigh County and Bismarck at the time.

Dispatch informed the deputy the Dodge had been reported stolen to the Minot Police Department, and was valued between $66,000 and $88,000. Jones later admitted to driving the car and had permission from the owner to drive it.

District Court Judge Gary Lee sentenced Jones to a concurrent sentence of five years with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, to serve 120 days with credit for 39 days already served. Jones was ordered to complete two years of supervised probation upon release, and to complete a chemical dependency evaluation and victim impact panel.

Jones was also assessed $3,200 in court fines and fees.