HELENA – Charles Glenn Mitsch, 49 years old, is charged with two counts of criminal child endangerment and driving under the influence of alcohol. This is his third DUI offense.

Mitsch, from Kalispell, was pulled over by Montana Highway Patrol on Highway 12, with two young children in his vehicle and admitted to the trooper that he had consumed alcohol. The breathalyzer test set his BrAC at 0.127.

The maximum sentence is 10 years in prison or a fine of up to $50,000.

He is being held on a bond of $10,000 and will be arraigned in February.

MILES CITY – The victim in a shooting death last week in the Moon Creek has been identified as Shania Raymond, 21, Custer County Sheriff Tony Harbaugh said Monday.

Raymond was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds Thursday morning at 3601 Moon Creek Road. A suspect, Travis Doss, also 21, was discovered with a gunshot wound to the head and was taken to a local hospital. He is now in Custer County Detention Center on suspicion of deliberate homicide.

Harbaugh said the investigation continues.

Over the weekend, friends of Raymond organized a candle light ceremony for Raymond in Post Falls, Idaho, High School, where she attended.

See also: Doss arrested following shooting death of woman in Custer County

GREAT FALLS – Thomas Gallagher, charged recently with assault with a weapon after he allegedly stabbed a man in Great Falls, has been denied a reduction in his bail amount.

The stabbing happened at about 1:20 a.m. on Saturday, December 23rd, at a home on the 3800 block of 9th Avenue South.

A man called 911 to report that he had been stabbed.

Responding officers learned that Gallagher and two other men had been drinking with other people at the residence, and Gallagher and a man got into a physical fight.

Another man intervened and separated the two; at that point, according to court documents, Gallagher produced a knife and stabbed the man who had intervened.

The knife narrowly missed the femoral artery, according to court documents.

The knife was later found inside the residence.

Prosecutors requested that bond for Gallagher be set at $75,000 due to “multiple victims and the severity of the injuries to the victim.”

On Monday, Judge Elizabeth Best denied a bail reduction request for Gallagher, due to the nature of the alleged crime.

Court documents note that Gallagher has a conviction for misdemeanor theft.

Reporting by Margaret DeMarco for MTN News

See also:

Gallagher charged after weekend stabbing

BILLINGS – The man on trial Monday for allegedly promoting several women and girls for prostitution in Montana denies being a pimp and claims he operated a legal escort service and website for a handbag company he founded while serving prison time for an earlier prostitution conviction.

Terrance Edwards, 35, is charged in U.S. District Court in Billings with a 10-count indictment including charges of sex trafficking by force, transportation of a minor with intent to engage in prostitution, tampering with evidence and distributing marijuana to a minor.

Prosecutors said in their opening statements Monday that Edwards is “100 percent a pimp.”

“’Call me daddy, maintain contact with me, don’t look another man in the eyes unless he’s a paying customer,’” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee Peterson during her opening statements. “Those were just three of the rules Terrance Edwards had for the victims.”

Edwards allegedly targeted at least six women, including three minors, for work in the commercial sex industry, using methods of intimidation and violence to make the victims cooperate.

“He raped (the victim) to show her who had the power,” said Peterson.

But defense attorneys for Edwards told the jury Monday that Edwards operated a legal escort service, not a prostitution ring.

“He set women up with lonely men,” said defense attorney, Palmer Hoovestal. “One woman will tell you she got paid just to drink wine with one man.”

Hoovestal said the women worked for Edwards’ escort service of their own free will and could leave whenever they wanted.

“There was no attempt to leave,” said Hoovestal.

Prosecutors told jurors that Hoovestal contacted a 15-year-old North Dakota girl online with the intent to lure her into the commercial sex trade.

Edwards drove to North Dakota in the middle of the night to pick up the girl and her two friends, ages 16 and 17.

During the time he was away, one of the victims contacted her mother who alerted police.

Edwards brought the three girls back to Billings and got a motel room with them, according to court documents.

Officers met Edwards at the motel and arrested him.

Hoovestal argued that Edwards never intended to have the three teenagers work as prostitutes, but rather, as models for a handbag business he started in prison while he was incarcerated in 2012.

Francine “Joanna” Granados, Edwards’ co-defendant, is being tried at the same time as Edwards for alleged tampering with victims.

Granados allegedly contacted the victims upon Edwards’ request in an attempt to prevent them from testifying, according to court documents.

Attorneys for Granados said she never attempted to influence the victims and only acted on Edwards’ behalf.

Prosecutors expect to call 28 witnesses throughout the 8-day-long trial.

Hoovestal said Edwards will testify.

See also:

Man accused of sex trafficking women, girls in Billings faces new charges
Man arrested in Billings charged with sex trafficking
Man arrested in Billings was involved in earlier prostitution scheme with brother
Polson woman rescued from 11-day abduction in Billings

Reporting by Aja Goare for MTN News

HELENA – Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Deputies are conducting extra evening patrols in the area surrounding Jim Darcy Elementary School following a report of a child being approached by a stranger there last week.

Principal Brian Cummings tells MTN News the incident took place after a Thursday evening meeting at the school.

Cummings says the child told her parents a stranger approached her at the school’s east parking lot.

The child said the unidentified individual chased her and then left in a vehicle that was parked east of the school in vacant commercial lots.

The child was able to give a partial description of the suspect, a male with a crooked nose. His car was parked with its flashers on. A parent got a brief glimpse of the vehicle before it left the area.

Sheriff Leo Dutton says parents did the right thing by immediately calling 9-1-1. His deputies were on the scene in moments.

“The right thing to do is to pick the phone up and dial 9-1-1. Try to get a description,” says Sheriff Dutton.

“What do they look like, how tall are they? What kind of facial features do they have? Are they wearing glasses? Did they have a mustache, did they have a beard? Color of shirt. Color of coat. What struck you that you remember, but try to remember colors because when we find somebody, those are the things we’re going to use to match up to see if we have the right suspect.”

Sheriff Dutton says another good thing to look for during incidents such as this is to get a vehicle license plate.

Principal Cummings says safety and security are always a priority for Jim Darcy’s more than 400 students.

Cummings is urging the community to be extra vigilant following Thursday’s incident. He says if you see anyone or anything suspicious to call 9-1-1 right away.

HELENA – A Butte suspect is accused of stealing jewelry while delivering mattresses.

Sean Michael Mason, charged with felony theft, was seen in Lewis and Clark Justice Court Monday via video.

Charging documents say Mason allegedly stole more than $2,000 worth of jewelry from a Divine Drive home earlier this month while delivering a Sleep Number mattress.

Mason has already been charged and jailed in Gallatin County for the theft of jewelry.

Charging documents say the 27 year-old Mason admitted to law officers that he’s pawned jewelry in Butte.

Witnesses tell MTN News Mason has pawned more than a dozen items in Butte in the past month.

Bond in the case has been set at $5,000.00.

GREAT FALLS – A Great Falls High School teacher has resigned after “substantial, credible evidence” of a sexual relationship with student was found.

Cascade County Attorney Josh Racki confirmed to KRTV that the teacher is Levi Johnson, and the Great Falls Police Department is investigating. The student involved is 17 years old.

The age of consent in Montana is 16, which means that the actions of the teacher may not necessarily be illegal – and which is why the GFPD is continuing to investigate. As of Monday afternoon, criminal charges have not been filed.

KRTV has learned that the GFPD has requested assistance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in the investigation.

GFPS superintendent Tammy Lacey held a brief press conference on Monday afternoon to make the announcement. Lacey did not take questions.

Lacey says that District officials were notified on Friday about the matter, and administrators took immediate action to remove the teacher from GFPS premises.

The initial investigation has determined that there is “substantial, credible evidence” that the relationship with inappropriate and sexual.

Lacey said that the teacher submitted his letter of resignation, which was accepted by the School Board.

According to Lacey, the teacher is no longer allowed on GFPS property, and has been directed to not have any contact with GFPS students.

The School Board will take action at its February 12th meeting to consider its rights and responsibilities under Montana Code, which allows the Board to request that the Board of Public Education revoke the man’s teaching certificate for “immoral conduct related to the teaching profession.”

Lacey said that the District will do everything in its power to support the student who was involved, as well as any other students and staff who may have been affected.

Lacey also said: “I am livid that this teacher made these decisions that have led to this announcement today.” She added: “Please know that the actions of this one teacher in no way, shape, or form represents the rest of GFPS.”

We will update you as we get more information.

The Professional Educators of Montana Code of Ethics states:

The ethical educator:
A. Makes the well-being of students the foundation of all decisions and actions.
B. Promotes a spirit of inquiry, creativity, and high expectations.
C. Assures just and equitable treatment of every student.
D. Protects students when their learning or well-being is threatened by the unsafe, incompetent, unethical or illegal practice of any person.
E. Keeps information confidential that has been obtained in the course of professional service, unless disclosure serves a compelling purpose in the best interest of students, or is required by law.
F. Respects the roles, responsibilities and rights, of students, parents and guardians.
G. Maintains appropriate educator-student relationship boundaries in all respects, including speech, print, and digital communications.

Reporting by Margaret DeMarco & David Sherman for MTN News

EAST MISSOULA – The Missoula County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that the man who has been on the run in the East Missoula area is now in custody.

The MCSO says that William “Billy” Dale Newhoff, 35, was arrested without incident at approximately 1:45 p.m. Tuesday in East Missoula, and that they do not believe there is any further danger to the public.

The precautionary Shelter in Place for Bonner School has also been lifted. Normal operations and schedules will resume for the rest of Tuesday afternoon and evening. MCT practice and basketball practice will occur at normal times and buses will run as normal for the PM route.

EAST MISSOULA – Missoula County Sheriff TJ McDermott says that the armed suspect being sought in the East Missoula area fled authorities after the US Marshals Service attempted to take the man into custody on a warrant.

A helicopter has joined the search to find the suspect, who’s been identified as William “Billy” Dale Newhoff, 35. He’s wanted for a parole violation. Newhoff is a white male who stands 5’10” tall and weighs 215 pounds. He has red hair and hazel eyes and numerous tattoos.

State prison records show that Newhoff was convicted on forgery, burglary and theft charges in Missoula County.

Residents and businesses in the East Missoula area are being told to stay inside and lock their doors as authorities search for a suspect who’s described as armed and dangerous.

The lockdown at Missoula College and the nearby closure of the Kim Williams Trail have been lifted. The University of Montana Police Department had earlier sent out a tweet stating that “there is no indication the suspect is on campus, and the search area is focused in East Missoula. Closures and lockdowns are precautionary.”

Meanwhile, Bonner School has instituted a Shelter in Place precaution. According to a text sent to parents, “Classrooms and all exterior doors are locked with students remaining in classrooms and inside the building.”

A witness has told MTN News that there was a police chase that ended in the Dakota Avenue area of East Missoula. The fleeing vehicle also reportedly hit and damaged a home before a suspect fled on foot.

The suspect, who is described as being a white male, 30-to-40 years old with a slender build. The man was last seen wearing grey pants, black hoodie with grey sleeves and a grey hood with white writing.

The suspect is considered to be armed and dangerous and should not be approached. Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to immediately call 9-1-1.

Information from Connor McCauley included in this report.

Reporting by Mark Thorsell for MTN News

KALISPELL – A man is in custody after deputies say he was cooking meth inside his vehicle while parked in front of the Kalispell Kmart.

The incident began when a Flathead County Sheriff’s Office checked a vehicle after seeing it running and someone sleeping inside in the at around 1:30 a.m. on Monday.

“A deputy noticed a vehicle parked right by the front entrance to Kmart which of course was closed at the time,” said Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry who added that the deputy also observed what in his experience were the makings of a meth lab.

Sheriff Curry says the vehicle was what’s called a “mobile-meth lab” where methamphetamine is produced inside a vehicle. He added that while the drug can be manufactured several ways, this way is one of the more dangerous.

“This is probably the bottom of the barrel – if you will – method. It’s done in large soda plastic bottles. These labs are very dangerous and certainly can cause physical injury to anybody who messes with them,” Sheriff Curry told MTN News.

He also pointed out that dismantling the lab is a very dangerous job and can cause explosions, but just how volatile the lab is depends upon what phase of cooking they’re in – or whether or not they’re active.

“The mobile labs they call them pot-labs are pretty dangerous,” Sheriff Curry said. “They have the potential to explode, cause fires. So clean-up is pretty well orchestrated.”

A Drug Enforcement Administration cleanup crew from out-of-state was on hand Monday to help process the scene, pick up the chemicals and dispose of them safely.

Sheriff Curry says while the number of these kind of cases has dropped in recent years, it’s a reminder that the drug can still be made locally.

“We used to have a much larger methamphetamine laboratory problem locally, but most is imported from Mexico but can be made locally.”

Sheriff Curry says the suspect could face a felony charge of criminal manufacturing of unsafe drugs.

Reporting by Nicole Miller for MTN News

MILES CITY — The man accused of killing a woman last week at a home they shared in Custer County told officers that he shot the victim 18 times after he said she fired first.

Travis Doss, 21, is charged in Custer County District Court with one count of deliberate homicide for the murder of Shania Lynn Raymond, 21.

Custer County Attorney Wyatt Glade said he believes Doss made his initial court appearance Monday. He declined to discuss the case in detail, referring questions to court documents.

Doss was arrested Thursday after he called 911 and reported that he’d shot Raymond and believed she was dead, according to court documents filed Friday.

Doss and Raymond were in a romantic relationship and Custer County Sheriff Tony Harbaugh said they had been living together at the home on the 3600 block of Moon Creek Road, southwest of Miles City, when the shooting took place.

On the 911 call that Doss made before noon Thursday, he told the dispatcher that he and Raymond had been arguing before he went outside to urinate.

Doss told authorities he took a 9 mm handgun with him out of concern for coyotes, according to court documents.

Doss said he then heard three gunshots and felt something hit him in the back of the head.

Doss said he believed Raymond shot him so he fired 18 rounds into the victim until she was dead.

The documents do not state what make of handgun was used or how many rounds it holds.

When law enforcement arrived at the home, they found Raymond dead and Doss with an injury to his head.

Doss was treated at the hospital and released a short time later.

The deputy noted in his report that Doss and Raymond had been arguing about her apparently cheating on him, according to court documents.

Both Sheriff Harbaugh and Glade said the investigation is not complete and Harbaugh said the nature of Doss’ head wound remains under investigation.

Doss is being held on a $500,000 bond.

Glade declined to offer further comment on the case.

Reporting by Aja Goare for MTN News

Doss arrested following shooting death of woman in Custer County
Sheriff identifies victim in Custer County homicide

BILLINGS — At trial Tuesday for the man accused of operating a prostitution ring in Montana involving women and children, one victim testified that she was forced into the commercial sex business by way of emotional and physical abuse.

Terrance Edwards, 35, is on trial in U.S. District Court in Billings for 10 charges related to prostitution.

One victim, a 23-year-old Montana woman, testified Tuesday that Edwards was kind to her when they first met in 2016 but he became violent once he became her pimp.

“He threatened to kill me and bury my body in the park,” said the woman.

The woman said Edwards wrote the description for the ad posted on the escorts section of Backpage.com.

The ad, which was shown to jurors, included photos of the woman in sexual poses, as well as a phone number to reach her for a “date.”

The woman testified that she went on several “dates” with men where she had sex for about $150 each time.

“I gave it all to Terrance,” said the woman.

Edwards dictated the phone calls, the dates and the cash flow, according to the woman.

Asked by prosecutors if she felt she could leave, the woman said she could not because she was afraid of Edwards.

“He threatened to burn my house down,” said the woman, who also described a time when Edwards turned on the bath water and said he would drown her if she talked back to him.

The woman brought in a friend to work for Edwards and the two women went on “dates” with customers together, the victim testified.

The woman said she’d finally had enough of the violence and the sex work and left town with her female friend.

Edwards attempted to contact the woman but he could not find her, she said.

Edwards is accused of promoting at least three women for commercial sex work and transporting three teenage girls from North Dakota to Billings with the intent to work as prostitutes.

Attorneys for Edwards claim that he operated a perfectly legal escort service and brought the underage girls to Billings to model purses he’d made while he was incarcerated for prostitution offenses in 2012.

Edwards’ attorneys insist that the women chose to engage in commercial sex without the guidance of Edwards and add that they were free to leave but chose to stay.

Trial is expected to last eight days and defense attorneys said Edwards will testify on his own behalf.

Reporting by Aja Goare for MTN News

HELENA – A Helena suspect is charged with felonies for repeatedly harassing a former girlfriend.

Appearing in Lewis and Clark Justice Court Tuesday afternoon, Dean Ostien Crider is charged with felony partner family member assault and kidnapping.

Prosecutors say while Crider was allegedly following his ex-girlfriend with his car, he’s accused of trying to run her off the road twice.

The 38 year old Crider is also accused of holding the victim in the case in his car against her will for two hours. She told law officers she was afraid he was going to take her somewhere and shoot her.

The victim in the case told law officers Crider allegedly acted controlling and jealous during their three month relationship. At one point he called the victim 41 times in 45 minutes.

Bond in the case has been set at $40,000.00.

Crider has prior convictions for rape and witness tampering.

HELENA – The Helena Police Department is requesting assistance in locating a Martin Lee Roman Nose, who walked away from the Pre-Release Center overnight.

He is currently listed in escape status and there is a warrant for his arrest.

Roman Nose is 28 years old, 5’08”, 170 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

He was last seen wearing blue pants, a white shirt, and a black coat.

According to the Montana Department of Corrections, Roman Nose has a conviction in Yellowstone County for burglary.

If you have information concerning his whereabouts, you’re asked to call the Helena Police Department at 406-442-3233.

Kevin John McNees and Peggy Alice McNees have been charged after allegedly beating a 12-year-old girl with high-heel shoes and kitchen utensils.

According to court documents, the girl went to school on January 29 with a noticeable contusion on her shoulder.

She indicated that Kevin McNees had beaten her with a high-heel shoe and said that it has happened several times before.

During an interview at the Cascade County Child Advocacy Center, the victim said Peggy McNees hit her with a spoon, and that she had been hit too many times to count.

The documents state that the victim reported being beaten in several other incidents with kitchen utensils such as spatulas and spoons.

The victim also had scratch marks and reported the scratches were from Peggy McNees.

Both Kevin McNees and Peggy McNees admitted to the assaults.

According to court documents, Kevin McNees said that he ordered a 14-year-old boy to hold the victim down while he disciplined her.

The victim said that Peggy McNees also had the 14-year-old hold her down as well.

Peggy McNees admitted to scratching the victim, but claimed the children scratched her too.

The court documents state that the most recent incidents happened on January 27 and 28.

Both Kevin McNees and Peggy McNees have been charged with one felony count of assault on a minor.

The state requested each of their bonds be set at $10,000.

HARDIN – A Hardin High School art teacher is facing several felony charges after a handgun was found in a classroom.

According to Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office, a student resource officer received information that a student at the high school had a gun inside the building on Friday, Jan. 26.

While no weapon was found, a 17-year-old unidentified student was escorted off school property.

On Saturday, law enforcement was dispatched to the school where officers found a Glock 27 handgun inside a classroom.

After further investigation, teacher Nora Bettina Block was arrested. Block, 42, is awaiting arraignment on the charges of possessing a firearm on school property, felony tampering with evidence, and felony obstructing justice. She told school officials about her role in the incident Monday.

An arrest warrant was issued for a juvenile male for attempted armed robbery, carrying a concealed weapon and possessing a gun on school property.

The warrant for the juvenile is the same individual who was escorted from school property, according to Superintendent Dennis Gerke.

“I’ve actually been physically sick since we found about this incident,” Gerke said. “It’s never fun to deal with these situations, but we learn from it. And we’re happy that we have a partnership with the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office. They have been excellent through this whole process. But of course it weighs on administrators, teachers, students, myself and the entire community in general.”

The student and teacher are both under suspension, Gerke said. The student faces possible expulsion, decided by the school leave, he said.

The incident remains under investigation.

Reporting by Dustin Klemann for MTN News

BILLINGS – A 46-year-old man wasn’t ready to let someone steal his pickup and get away with it.

On Wednesday morning, Rusty Castro, 23, attempted to steal a 2004 Red GMC pickup on Grand Avenue, Billings police said in a news release.

The pickup was running with keys in it behind a business. Castro allegedly got it and took off.

The owner of the pickup saw Castro fleeing and climbed into the back of the pickup bed.

As Castro was driving, the owner began kicking at the rear window causing it to break.

Police report Castro jumped from the driver’s seat while the vehicle was in motion and rolled across the road before getting up and running from the scene.

The still-moving vehicle hit a light pole on 13th Street West while the owner was still in the bed of the truck, stated Billings Police Sgt. Shane Winden.

The owner was thrown into the back of the cab and was nearly ejected from bed.

Castro was located and arrested by responding police.

The owner of the pickup was taken to the hospital after suffering broken ribs, a collapsed lung, lacerations to his face and several broken teeth.

Reporting by Dustin Klemann for MTN News

BOZEMAN – A Bozeman teen has pleaded guilty to felony charges stemming from the death of his friend after a high-speed car crash in 2016.

Nineteen-year-old Jacob Burroughs appeared in Gallatin County District Court on Friday and entered a plea of guilty to negligent homicide for the death of 17-year-old Joseph Carnefix.

The crash occurred on September 1, 2016 on East Main Street near the I-90 overpass in Bozeman. According to court documents, Burroughs told police he was driving more than 100 miles an hour when the wreck happened, killing one of his three passengers.

Following his arrest in 2016, Burroughs was accused multiple times of violating his bond conditions by consuming alcohol and drugs.

His sentencing hearing was scheduled for March 14.

Related: One person dead in vehicle crash in Bozeman

MISSOULA – A Missoula County district court judge issued an order this week allowing Missoula County Detention Center staff to regulate inmates use of the law library on site based on their behavior.

This order applies to Tiffanie Pierce, 23, and Augustus Standingrock, 26, whose use of the law library was debated by attorneys this fall while the pair has been in custody for the murder and dismemberment of two people last summer.

Judge James Wheelis writes that because they have both been represented by counsel throughout their legal proceedings they have had adequate legal assistance.

He says in light of Pierce’s and Standingrocks’ behavior while in custody – that has caused concern for the safety of staff at the jail and other inmates – detention center staff have acted reasonably in restricting their access to the law library.

During a Monday hearing, Pierce pleaded not guilty to attempted deliberate homicide and assault with a weapon stemming from charges from another incident this summer on Montana Street, according to court documents.

Reporting by Augusta McDonnell for MTN News

Additonal coverage:
Missoula double homicide victims identified
2 people accused in gruesome Missoula murders plead not guilty

HELENA- A 20-year-old man arrested in East Helena is suspected of stabbing another man in Bozeman.

Judge Michael Swingley set Jonathan Meyer’s bond at half a million dollars at a Thursday Justice Court Appearance.

According to Gallatin County charging documents, Bozeman Police responded to a stabbing at an apartment on the 3300 block of Warbler Way just after 10:30 p.m. on January 19. When officers arrived they found the victim had been stabbed multiple times in the area around his heart.

In an interview with police, while he was recovering, the victim said he had been dropped off by a friend near his home, when he approached his residence he was attacked by a man in a Carhartt type jacket with the hood up and covering his face.

Court records say as he was stabbed, the victim fought back kicking the suspect and calling for help. Shortly after the attack began, suspect fled and the victim was able to get help from his roommate.

When police began investigating, they interviewed a woman the victim said he had been recently involved with. Court records say the woman lived with her ex-boyfriend, identified as Jonathan Meyer.

Police interviewed Meyer on Jan. 20. Court documents say Meyer refused to submit to a DNA swab and told officers he recently disabled the location services on his phone. Police say a review of responding officer’s dashcam footage showed a vehicle matching the belonging to Meyer with a white male wearing clothing similar to that Meyer said he was wearing the night of the stabbing about a mile and a half from the crime scene.

Through additional interviews, police identified Meyer as a suspect and obtained a search warrant for Meyer’s phone. A search of the phone revealed recent searches for muggings and robberies caught on CCTV, the schedule of the bus service the victim used, information on how clean blood stains from a knife, and cheater/spy/tracker apps.

Court records also say the victim’s girlfriend told police she had confronted Meyer on Jan. 30 and asked if Meyer had stabbed the victim. Court records say Meyer admitted to the woman he stabbed the man multiple times.

Meyer was arrested in East Helena on Jan. 30. just after 7:00 p.m.

HARDIN – A Hardin art teacher is facing multiple felony charges after a handgun was found in her classroom over the weekend.

Nora Bettina Block, an art teacher at Hardin High School, knowingly possessed a firearm on school property and knowingly hid the firearm from law enforcement, according to charging documents obtained by MTN News on Thursday.

Officers said Block hid a gun found in her classroom on Friday. Instead of reporting it immediately, she stored it in her desk overnight before hiding it under a student’s desk and calling authorities the next day.

According to the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office, a student resource officer received information that a student at the high school had a gun inside the building on Friday, Jan. 26.

The student was found in Block’s art room despite not having any classes there, according to the charging documents.

When questioned about the gun, the student said he had been “messing around” and the gun was just a black hairdryer that was found hidden behind the chalkboard.

The student was escorted off of school property following the incident.

On Saturday, officers were again dispatched to the school after a gun was found on the property.

According to court documents, Block told officers she found the gun while cleaning her classroom.

In an interview on Monday, one student told officers that he had found the gun in Block’s classroom shortly after the student had been removed from the class on Friday.

The student said he alerted Block, who said she would take care of it.

Officers attempted to interview Block, but she put them off.

Later that day, the school principal called officers saying Block confessed she had lied about the incident, and that she found the gun and put it in her desk overnight.

She then told the principal she went into work on Saturday, removed the gun from her desk and placed it under a student’s desk before calling school officials to say she had found a gun.

Block is charged with tampering with physical evidence, possession of a weapon in a school building and obstructing a peace officer.

She is scheduled to be arraigned February 27.

Reporting by Samantha Harrelson for MTN News