HELENA – More than two dozen properties in Downtown Helena, including murals and historic buildings, have recently been vandalized.
According to Helena Police, the first instances showed up around Nov. 30.
All the vandalized properties where “tagged” with black paint and shared the same design.
The Helena Police Department says that they don’t have a complete list of everything that has been vandalized, but given the number of locations already discovered the suspect or suspects will likely face felony charges.
HPD Assistant Chief of Police Steve Hagen said that damages to the historic properties and murals will be difficult to clean without potentially causing more damage.
“One of them is the trolley,” said Hagen, “That’s a symbol of Downtown, it’s a symbol of the walking mall and to paint on that it just, it makes no sense. It just shows disrespect for the community and for the people property you’ve damaged.”
Other vandalized properties include the Montana Club, the Placer Building, the Performance Square historic mural and many more.
HPD said if anyone has any information about the vandalism they are encouraged to contact the Helena Police Department at (406) 442-3233.
If you prefer to remain anonymous you can contact (406) 443-2000.
Callers who offer information could be eligible for a cash reward.
BILLINGS – A man was stabbed at the Coffee Tavern in downtown Billings on Monday, Billings police said.
The man suffered three stab wounds and was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries, according to a press release from Sgt. Matthew Chaney.
The release did not say what time the call came in or give any additional description of the victim.
Billings police detectives said they have identified suspects in the case, and that the investigation is ongoing.
The Coffee Tavern is a 24-hour restaurant that’s been open for about a year.
GREAT FALLS – A Great Falls changed his plea to sexual intercourse without consent in court on Monday.
Kahane Beavers, pleaded guilty to the rape of a woman in Cascade County District Court.
According to court documents, the victim said she was at a party in July 2016 when she decided to go to sleep in a camper on the property. Court documents state the victim asked Beavers to cuddle with her because she had “bad dreams.”
When she woke up, Beavers was on top of her and she yelled at him to stop and get off of her.
She was able to get away from Beavers and left the scene with a friend; she then reported the incident to law enforcement and underwent a forensic sexual assault exam at Benefis hospital.
According to court documents, Beavers admitted to Cascade County Sheriff’s Deputies that the victim was highly intoxicated at the time of the incident and that her “head was bobbing back and forth” due to her level of intoxication.
Beavers told officers that he assumed that their “mutual flirting” earlier indicated the victim’s consent.
At the time of his arrest, according to court documents, Beavers was out on bond for charges of witness tampering and probation violation.
It’s unknown at this time when Beavers will be sentenced.
NOTE: “Sexual intercourse without consent” is the legal term used in Montana for most instances of what is commonly known as rape.
Paul Steven Bixby Jr., 24, was charged with felony assault with a weapon for allegedly stabbing Coffee Tavern owner Larry Heafner Monday night.
Billings police reported Bixby and another woman entered the business to use the bathroom only. Heafner told them it was not available for non-customers.
After the two left, court documents state they made a scene and Heafner went outside to confront them.
Heafner reported Bixby was going to throw something at the window, and that’s why he went outside and told them to leave. That’s when Bixby became aggressive and spit at Heafner. Heafner told him to leave or he’d “kick his ass,” documents state. Bixby then spit in his face, so Heafner punched him.
Bixby then allegedly stabbed Heafner three times in the torso, nicking his colon. Witnesses identified the Bixby as the assailant. He was later located.
Bixby was found to have fresh blood on his clothing and hands. Police said he was extremely intoxicated.
During his contact with law enforcement, Bixby claimed the “guy” came at him when he walked out the door and he had to use the knife. Bixby later repeated his claim that “the guy attacked” him. Police arrested Bixby and transported him to the Yellowstone County Detention Facility.
Heafner underwent surgery on Tuesday morning and is now recovering.
GREAT FALLS – A Great Falls man pleaded guilty on Tuesday to starting a fire near Gibson Park last week.
William Patrick Walters pleaded guilty in Great Falls Municipal Court to one count of misdemeanor negligent arson.
The fire was reported at about 4:45 p.m. last Thursday along and near the railroad tracks that run between Gibson Park and the Riverside Railyard skate park.
The fast-moving fire was fanned by gusty winds, but was quickly contained and extinguished by Great Falls Fire Rescue.
Great Falls Police officers briefly closed a section of River Drive between the 6th Street North underpass and the Central Avenue bridge.
There were no injuries reported and no reports of any damaged buildings or structure.
Walters is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 11.
We have requested a booking photo from the county jail, but they have not yet been able to provide one.
BILLINGS – The Billings Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating and identifying a witness in a bar shooting
The shooting took place Nov. 18 at Bones Brewery. A man was shot in the abdomen during an altercation inside the bar.
A suspect, described only as a tall African American male, remains at large.
On Wednesday police released a surveillance camera photograph of a man described as a witness to the shooting. Police said he is an African American male about 6-feet tall with a medium build.
If anyone can identify the man or knows where the witness can be located, they are asked to contact the Billings Police Department Detective Division at 657-8473 or CrimeStoppers at 245 -6660.
BILLINGS – A Billings man accused of molesting a teenage girl has admitted to the crime but prosecutors are not planning to recommend a prison sentence.
Troy Tippets Hagel, 47, pleaded guilty Monday in Yellowstone County District Court to three counts of sexual assault.
According to a plea agreement, prosecutors plan to recommend a sentence of 25 years to the Montana Department of Corrections with 15 years suspended. The DOC commitment would allow Hagel to be placed in a pre-release program for treatment if he is approved.
Hagel admitted he molested a 13-year-old girl for over a year.
The girl told her mother about the abuse, which was then reported to authorities.
The girl’s grandmother told authorities she had been suspicious that Hagel was abusing the victim. The grandmother reported that her other daughter, the victim’s aunt, told her Hagel had sent disturbing sexual images to her phone. The images depicted Hagel with the victim’s underwear, according to court documents.
When the grandmother confronted Hagel, he allegedly repeated: “I’m sick.”
Hagel will be required to complete sex offender treatment while in state custody.
KALISPELL – A Flathead Valley man accused ofpushing another man off a bridgeearlier this year has been found guilty of deliberate homicide by a jury.
Cecil Thomas Rice was charged in the death of Anthony Walthers. Prosecutors say that Rice pushed Walthers off the Old Steele Bridge near Evergreen on April 26.
At the time, investigators said the water temperature in the river was 41 degrees and the current was moving extremely fast. Walthers’ body was found by boaters about a mile and a half offshore from the mouth of the Flathead River.
The jury heard closing arguments Tuesday before returning with a verdict around 4 p.m. after a quick trial that began on Monday.
“He testified the defendant was laughing and joking, saying ‘I told you so, I told you so’,” Flathead County Deputy Attorney Alison told the court on Thursday.
“This case is an accident nothing more and nothing less it’s tragic but this is an accident and Cecil Rice is not a villain,” countered defense attorney Steven Scott.
Rice’s punishment will be determined at his sentencing hearing, which has not yet been set.
MISSOULA – A Wednesday morning pursuit that began on the north side of Missoula ended with shots being fired in Lake County.
Lake County Sheriff Don Bell said Wednesday that just before noon, Missoula Police attempted to pull over a black Ford Taurus that was seen driving recklessly around a Missoula-area residential neighborhood before the vehicle fled. The car headed west on I-90 and turning northbound on US Highway 93 towards Lake County, reaching speeds between 85 and 90 mph.
Bell says that after Missoula Police requested assistance from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Flathead Tribal Police, law enforcement called off the pursuit near Arlee in order to try and stop the vehicle using stop sticks.
A Tribal Officer later noticed the car passing in a no-passing zone near North Valley Dr. and began following the car northbound on Highway 93, before turning east onto graveled side roads north of St. Ignatius.
Once the pursuit hit Eagle Pass Trail in the Ninepipes area, Bell says a passenger presented a pistol and fired at the pursuing officers. The vehicle then stopped on Eagle Pass Trail where law enforcement then fired shots at the suspects before they surrendered.
No injuries have been reported in the incident.
The only occupants in the vehicle, two females, were arrested and taken to the Lake County Jail. Their names have not yet been released.
Flathead County Sheriff’s detectives are headed to the scene of the shooting to investigate the incident.
KALISPELL – A Kalispell man who was previously convicted of immoral and indecent acts against a child, now faces a new rape charge against a 10-year-old.
Chad Holm, 45, pleaded not guilty to raping a minor during an appearance in Flathead County District Court.
Prosecutors say, in court documents, that Holm sexually assaulted the girl on multiple occasions since 2016.
Holm faces up to 100 years in prison if he’s convicted on the new charge.
The chase began around 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday on the north side of Missoula when Missoula Police attempted to perform a traffic stop. The driver took off and a pursuit ensued.
Lake County Sheriff Don Bell has identified Alta Littlelight-Threefingers, 34, of Crow Agency as the driver of the vehicle. The passenger in the vehicle was Roishell St. Dennis, 27, of Missoula. St. Dennis is on felony probation out of Billings after being convicted of robbery and assault with a weapon.
The car involved in the pursuit was stolen from Billings on Nov. 14, according to Sheriff Bell.
The chase eventually reached Interstate 90 before the vehicle exited at the Wye and headed north on U.S. Highway 93. Law enforcement eventually ended the pursuit when the vehicle entered Lake County.
Sheriff Bell said a short time later, a Flathead Tribal Police officer observed a northbound vehicle matching the description from the Missoula pursuit, passing in a no-passing zone in the North Valley Creek area.
The Tribal officer then pursued the vehicle and was joined by additional Tribal police units as well as Lake County Sheriff’s deputies and St. Ignatius Police officers. The driver turned off of Highway 93 and onto gravel roads in the St. Ignatius area and headed northbound to Eagle Pass Trail in the Ninepipes area.
Sheriff Bell said that’s when St. Dennis fired shots at pursuing officers. It is also believed that Littlelight-Threefingers presented a firearm. The vehicle abruptly stopped east of Allard Road on Eagle Pass Trail at which point officers returned fire. St. Dennis and Littlelight-Threefingers then surrendered and were taken into custody.
The women are currently in Lake County Jail while the investigation into the incident continues. Sheriff Bell said the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office was asked to conduct the investigation because local law enforcement fired shots at the suspects.
1 of 2
Roishell St. Dennis of Missoula (MT Dept. of Corrections photo)
Alta Littlelight-Threefingers of Crow Agency (MT Dept. of Corrections photo)
Dimarzio Swade Sanchez of Busby was convicted on Thursday of first-degree murder for the death of Roylnn RidesHorse.
Sanchez now faces a mandatory sentenced of life in prison for the murder and a fine of up to $250,000.
U.S. District Judge Susan Watters presided over the trial.
Co-defendant Angelica Jo Whiteman of Lame Deer, 19 years old, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting first-degree murder in August 2017. She is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 3 and faces life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release.
Co-defendant Frank James Sanchez of Lame Deer, also 19, pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony and accessory after the fact in March 2017. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 18 and faces a maximum punishment of 15 years in prison, $125,000 fine and three years supervised release.
During the trial, Whiteman testified that she met RidesHorse for the first time on the night of the April assault.
The two women were at the Kirby Saloon, where Whiteman was gambling with Sanchez and RidesHorse was arguing with her husband. Whiteman said she went to the bar to buy a pint of alcohol for the drive home and encountered RidesHorse, who appeared upset.
Roylynn RidesHorse
“She said she was fighting with her husband so I hugged her and told her it would be okay,” Whiteman testified.
Whiteman agreed to take RidesHorse home to Crow Agency and led her outside to the vehicle, where Sanchez and his brothers, Frank and Larry, were waiting with two teenage girls.
Frank Sanchez, 20, testified Tuesday that he watched as Whiteman and RidesHorse approached the vehicle.
“Lynn looked sad,” said Frank Sanchez. “I just told her jump (in), you’re with good people, don’t be scared.”
Whiteman and RidesHorse got into the vehicle and headed to Busby to drop off Larry before taking RidesHorse home to Crow Agency. After dropping off Larry, the remaining passengers got back into the vehicle and Dimarzio drove away.
According to Frank and Whiteman’s testimony, a fight broke out between Whiteman and RidesHorse over a supposed dirty look Rideshorse was giving.
“She was ‘mean mugging’ everyone,” said Frank Sanchez.
Whiteman began punching RidesHorse from the front seat and so Whiteman told Dimarzio to turn the vehicle around. Dimarzio drove the vehicle to Castlerock Road, a dirt road in a remote area on the Crow Indian Reservation.
The witnesses in the vehicle gave conflicting testimony about what happened next, ranging from Whiteman pulling the victim out of the vehicle to both women getting out of the car on their own.
The fight escalated, according to the witnesses, and Dimarzio then allegedly ordered the victim to strip.
Dimarzio then allegedly instructed Whiteman to “finish her off” and showed her how to use a bandana to strangle RidesHorse.
Minutes later, Dimarzio allegedly began kicking the victim and strangled her.
Frank and Whiteman both testified Tuesday that at various times throughout the assault, they tried independently to stop the attack. Frank and Whiteman both implicated the other in helping Dimarzio assault the victim.
Frank testified that he retrieved a gas can from the trunk at his brother’s orders. He said Dimarzio then doused the victim with gasoline and set her on fire.
Whiteman said at her change of plea hearing that she saw Dimarzio set the victim on fire, but said in court she did not see who exactly ignited the flames.
The car sped off with one fewer passenger and headed to Busby where Dimarzio allegedly told everyone to keep quiet about the attack.
After RidesHorse was found the next morning by a passing rancher, she was taken to the Crow Indian Health Services. The physician who first received RidesHorse testified that the victim’s injuries were so severe he could not tell whether the patient was male or female.
Dr. Armando Sanchez, no relation to the Sanchez brothers, appeared shaken as he recounted RidesHorse’s injuries. “Her face and mouth were burned,” said Dr. Sanchez. “It appeared someone poured gas down her throat and set her mouth on fire.”
Despite her injuries, RidesHorse was able to inform her doctor that she knew who attacked her, the doctor testified.
RidesHorse was transported to a burn unit in Salt Lake City with second and third-degree burns over half of her body. She died in Utah two months after the assault.
GREAT FALLS- The Great Falls Police Department is warning businesses and consumers to be alert after several complaints of counterfeit currency.
According to the department, a large portion of the fake bills have been used at local businesses; but police say private sellers are also at risk.
Fake currency police are investigating include $20, $50 and $100 bills.
People are asked to watch out for people buying low-cost items and trying to pay using bills like a $50 or $100.
The scammers may also try to visit during busy times. Like a lunch hour at a restaurant when clerks and cashiers may be distracted.
GFPD asks anyone who thinks they may be possession of counterfeit money contact the department at 406-727-7688 ext. 5.
People with information on the production or use of counterfeit currency should contact Detective Sergeant Jason Mitchell at 406-455-8493 or send a private message through the department’s Facebook page.
Pondera County Sheriff Carl Suta has accepted a plea agreement in an assault case that is pending in Pondera County Court.
Suta will plead no contest to the charge of partner/family member assault.
According to court documents, the victim told investigators that Suta had kicked him while he was “curled up on the ground.” Suta admitted to kicking the victim in the case.
In accordance with the plea agreement, Suta’s sentence will be deferred for one year, and he will have to either spend 24 hours in jail or three days under house arrest.
Suta will also agree to pay a fine of $1,000 and complete 40 hours of counseling with a focus on violence and controlling behavior.
In addition, the agreement stipulates that Suta will not possess any firearms during the period of the deferred sentence.
Eric Sell, a spokesman for the Montana Department of Justice said there is no legal requirement that a sheriff carry a firearm in order to hold the position
The job of sheriff in Montana is an elected position, and carrying a gun is not a requirement to be elected.
Suta will have a change of plea and sentencing hearing on Dec. 22.
MISSOULA – The Missoula Police Department is investigating the theft of a trailer and wheelchair belonging to a disabled veteran.
The veteran had received the wheelchair from the Wounded Warriors.
Missoula Police say a white Patriot 6 x 12 tandem axle trailer with double doors with Montana license plates number 491990B was taken from the 1600 block of Milwaukee Way Wednesday night between 9 p.m. and 11:30 a.m. Thursday
A tracked wheelchair from the Wounded Warrior Project was inside the trailer at the time of the theft.
If you have information about this crime, please contact Officer Eric Weber at (406) 552-6300 or Det. Sgt. Jim Klawitter (406) 552-6642.
MISSOULA – A man was arrested Thursday night for his involvement in a home robbery and, according to police, is connected to the two women arrested this week for leading officers on a high-speed chase that ended in a shootout.
30-year-old Scott Allen Takesenemy is facing charges of robbery, criminal possession of dangerous drugs, harming a police dog and obstructing peace officer.
Missoula police responded to a report of a home robbery on Wednesday. The homeowner told police that around 9:30 a.m. he heard a knock on the door. When he answered he said he was met by three Native Americans, one male and two females.
The homeowner recognized Takesenemy. He told police Takesenemy was carrying a bat and one of the females had a knife. The homeowner said one of the females and Takesenemy took turns holding down the homeowner with a knife and a bat. The homeowner said the three suspects stole two phones, three pairs of headphones, a tablet, two laptop cases, two neckties, an Xbox and controllers, two laptop bags, a hard drive, a wallet, a ring, five watches, two beard trimmers and a beard trimmer charger.
Police spoke to a neighbor who said he saw the three suspects get into a black Ford Taurus. Officers later engaged in a high-speed chase with the Taurus, which ended in Lake County just north of St. Ignatius. Police arrested the two women, 34-year-old Alta Littlelight-Threefingers and 27-year-old Roishell St. Dennis. Police say they found the stolen items in the car.
The following day on Thursday, police received a tip that Takesenemy was hiding in a residence on the 1300 block of Bulwer Street in Missoula. Officers found Takesenemy hiding in the garage attic.
Police said that due to Takesenemy’s extensive criminal history, officers employed their police dog. Police said they warned the suspect at least 10 times that the dog would be released into the attic if he didn’t surrender, but he refused to come out. Police then released the dog into the attic. They say that Takesenemy then kicked the K-9, Sunka, repeatedly in the face.
Police say that he admitted to “bicycle-kicking” the dog in an attempt to not get bit. After he was taken into custody, officers said they then found a baggie containing meth in the attic where he was hiding.
Takesenemy appeared in Missoula Justice Court on Friday afternoon where his bail was at $100,000.
HELENA – A Helena defendant could spend up to 10 years in prison for allegedly driving drunk with kids in his car.
Seth M. Bergan, 37, was arrested at the 2300 block of North Montana Thursday after witnesses reported seeing his car swerving and taking up both lanes of traffic.
When officers pulled him over, they found two children in the vehicle with Bergan.
Police say he had a blood-alcohol level of .288, more than three times the legal limit.
Investigators say Bergan has four prior convictions for DUI.
He’s been charged with felony criminal child endangerment. Bond in the case has been set at $10,000.
Sheriff’s Deputy Gordon Shmill told MTN that they received a tip about a suspicious trailer that matched the description of the one missing, and deputies responded to the scene.
The contents of the trailer — including a custom treaded wheelchair — that was taken from Gardipee was confirmed and later released to him.
Gardipee relies heavily on this gear to live independently and also just pass his time in peace at his home in Missoula. For Gardipee, this loss was devastating, limiting his mobility.
He, along with a representative from Wounded Warriors reached out to the community to help find his belongings. So when he received a call from the Sheriff’s Office, he was skeptical.
“I was excited to of course I was a little bit cautious,” said Gardipee, “Blocked down, there is no damage. Most of the items that are critical to me are still there and in mint condition. I was quite happy with that.”
Sheriff’s deputies found the trailer abandoned in the Evaro Hill area according to Gardipee and returned it to him as quickly as they could.
“There was a quite a bit of effort,” Gardipee said. “Quite a bit of sharing; a lot of people had their eyes out all over the state and all over the nation. A lot of them are ready for a good old fashion Montana horsewhipping for this guy. Because they did not like what they did to a Montana wounded warrior.”
Aside from having to replace the lock and hitch, all of Gardipee’s gear was untouched. He stressed the importance of locking up your important things, and to be a good neighbor.
Helena Police say it’s unknown if the man is a suspect, but they believe he may have information concerning the incidents.
More than two dozen properties in Downtown Helena, including murals and historic buildings, were reported to be vandalized last week. They began to show up on Nov. 30.
All the vandalized properties where “tagged” with black paint and shared the same design saying “Aspect”
The photo HPD released shows a male wearing what appears to be a grey watchcap/knitted hat, a grey or lighter-colored vest and black or dark-colored long sleeve hooded sweatshirt. They say the jacket could also possibly have a hood. He appears to have white or light-colored framed sunglasses, Carhartt pants and black sneakers.
Anyone with information on who the man might be or any other information in regards to the vandalism is asked to contact Detective DJ Zapata at 406-447-8489 (or email at dzapata@helenamt.gov).
You can also anonymously leave a tip with Crimestoppers by calling 406-443-2000 or online here.
