GREAT FALLS – The trial for William Arocha, Jr., the man accused of stabbing Shane LaPlant to death, began on Monday at the Missouri River Federal Courthouse.

Arocha, Jr. faces a second-degree murder charge for the July 5, 2017 stabbing in East Glacier.

According to the prosecution, the events that took place on the morning of July 5 were unnecessary and unjust. The defense, however, said the events were a case for self-defense.

Casey James, a friend of the Arocha family, said he was working the bar that night for the wedding of William Arocha, Sr. and Summer Toby.

At about 2 or 3 a.m., James testified that he saw a group of people dragging someone into a field down the road from where the wedding was being held.

James said he ran down the road and tried to pull people off of LaPlant. He continued that at one point, Arocha, Jr. turned towards him with a knife and he backed off.

Arocha, Sr. and Toby both testified that LaPlant was not invited to the wedding and they thought he was taking alcohol although no one saw LaPlant take anything from the area of where the wedding reception was held.

Arocha, Sr. and Toby said LaPlant was driving an ATV erratically and, at one point, he dragged Arocha, Sr. when his clothes got stuck in the vehicle.

Toby testified that she did not witness the fight, but Arocha, Sr. said he tried to break the fight up and his clothes were covered in blood.

Two officers who arrived on scene testified that LaPlant was covered in blood.

One officer said she started counting the stab wounds but could not keep track after 10.

Arocha, Jr. was found guilty of assault resulting in bodily injury and negligent endangerment in Blackfeet Tribal Court last October.

The trail will continue on Tuesday.

Reporting by Margaret DeMarco for MTN News

Previous:
Arocha guilty on 2 charges in connection with fatal stabbing of Shane LaPlant
Arocha trial begins in connection with stabbing death of LaPlant
Man pleads not guilty to stabbing death in East Glacier Park
One man charged in Glacier stabbing

The United States Marshals Service District of Montana has issued a BOLO Alert (Be-on-the-Lookout) for Martha Mitchell.

Mitchell, 61, is wanted by the Montana Violent Offender Task Force based on a felony warrant for a probation violation stemming from a conviction for aggravated assault.

Mitchell is described as a Native American female, 5-feet, 4-inches tall, 180 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

She has tattoos that spell LOVE on her left fingers and HATE on her right fingers.

Anyone with information about Mitchell is asked to contact the Marshals Service at 406-247-7030 or your local law enforcement agency.

MISSOULA – Nicholas Jordan Armidon was arrested after deputies found what appeared to be a home-made explosive device in his motel room in Darby.

Armidon, 35 years old, was arrested Tuesday morning after deputies found a device in his motel room at the Budget Inn in Darby.

Ravalli County Sheriff Steve Holton said deputies initially contacted Armidon early Tuesday morning due to an outstanding arrest warrant for a different offense. Sheriff Holton said when deputies retrieved personal belongings from the room, at Armidon’s request, they noticed the device.

Deputies secured the room and evacuated the motel, forcing about a dozen people to be relocated.

Explosives technicians from the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office and an explosives-trained canine from the National Institutes of Health Police assisted in the search. It is likely – though MTN has not confirmed – that the canine was from the National Institutes of Health Rocky Mountain Laboratory in nearby Hamilton.

Sheriff Holton said investigators believe that all of the devices have been recovered and are now safe.

There is no indication that additional devices are in the community.

Armidon was booked into the Ravalli County Detention Center on charges of criminal endangerment, possession of explosives, possession of destructive devices, and revocation of suspended/deferred sentence.

Reporting by Melissa Rafferty and David Sherman

BILLINGS – A 60-year-old Billings man invited two state parole officers into his home east of downtown Tuesday before shooting multiple rounds at both and engaging in a two-hour standoff with law enforcement, according to court documents filed Friday.

Michael Jeffrey Anderson was charged with two counts of attempted deliberate homicide for shooting at the two Montana Department of Corrections officers, identified Allan Kitterman and Derrek Skinner, Yellowstone County prosecutors stated in charging documents. Both charges include a weapons enhancement.

Anderson made his first appearance in Yellowstone County Justice Court Friday. Kitterman and Skinner, who were not injured, are on paid administrative leave after they fired back, which is standard procedure for officer-involved shootings.

According to the documents, Kitterman and Skinner went to the residence at 1611 Second Ave. N. after trying to reach Anderson by phone to inform him he was selected for a random drug test.

After knocking and receiving no response, the two officers walked to the back of residence, where they saw Anderson smoking a cigarette inside. Kitterman told Anderson they needed a urine sample and to conduct a home check, and Anderson told they they could enter, according to documents.

They walked through the front door, saw Anderson sitting in a chair in the living room and asked him for a urine sample as they conducted the home check.

Kitterman saw pellet gun in a room and told Anderson he wasn’t allowed to have it while on probation. Skinner found a Bushmaster AR-15 rifle on a bed with a loaded magazine.

Anderson rummaged in some clothes and told the officers he had something to show them, according to court documents. When Kitterman asked him to show his hands, he said, “I have something to show you.”

That’s when Anderson drew a semi-automatic handgun and allegedly fired at Kitterman. The officer returned fire, as did Skinner, prosecutors stated.

Both continued firing as they retreated out of the house and called for backup. Anderson was hit once in the stomach.

Anderson remained in the home during the two-hour standoff with city, county, state and federal law enforcement officers. It ended after a SWAT team broke down the door.

After treatment, Anderson was arrested and taken to the Yellowstone County Detention Facility.

If Anderson is convicted, he could face up to life in prison, possible fines and an extra ten years for the use of a weapon.

Reporting by Zoe Zandora for MTN News

Related:
Billings standoff suspect was on probation for weapons offenses, name released

Thomas “TJ” Carter of Twin Bridges pleaded guilty in the 17th District Judicial District Court in Blaine County to four counts, which included: one felony count of acting as an outfitter without a license, one misdemeanor count of theft, one count of illegal tag transfer, and one count of unlawful purchase of a replacement license.

Carter was initially charged in Blaine County with 20 counts, but in a pretrial agreement, he agreed to plead guilty to four counts.

The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks said in a press release that in the fall of 2015, FWP Region 6 wardens began investigating reports of illegal outfitting in northern Blaine County near the town of Turner.

Wardens learned that Carter, a licensed guide in Montana and other states, was operating illegally as an unlicensed outfitter under the name of “Western Wild Hunt Company.” Under Montana law, licensed guides may not act as outfitters. In addition, Carter also hired additional unlicensed guides to assist with his hunting clients.

A total of 13 hunting clients were identified and interviewed, including residents of New York, West Virginia, Texas, Washington, Colorado, and Ohio. Clients paid an average cost between $5,000-$5,500, primarily for mule deer hunts. Hunters were taken on Block Management Areas, Bureau of Land Management, and on private land, and no special use permit was used on any of these sites. During interviews, many of the clients expressed disappointment in the operation, including the lodging and facilities, price, and overall size and quality of the mule deer promised.

In April of 2018, Carter was sentenced by District Court Judge Yvonne Laird on the four counts, totaling five years loss of hunting, fishing, and trapping privileges, and four additional years loss of hunting privileges (all loss of privileges are honored in all 46 states that are members of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact).
Carter was also ordered to pay $12,000 in restitution and $2,000 in fines. He will be under the supervision of the Montana Department of Corrections and is subject to all rules and regulations of adult probation and parole.

In addition, in Blaine County Justice Court, Carter’s unlicensed guides were cited for guiding without licenses and one client was charged for his role in transferring a deer license.

“This case involved serious violations of laws under FWP jurisdiction,” said Dirk Paulsen, FWP Region 6 criminal investigator.

“Mr. Carter’s actions exceeded those of someone who was confused about the red tape and regulations of the outfitting industry,” continued Paulsen, “and were in direct conflict with the high standards and set practices implemented by the Board of Outfitters and the lawful outfitters of this state”.

The Montana Board of Outfitters, who help with regulatory control in the outfitting and guiding industry, rely on the assistance of FWP wardens and investigators, which can take a lot of time, energy, and expense.

FWP personnel investigating Carter’s actions were able to get a lot of help from people who came forth with information about the case.

Anyone with information about crimes involving fish, wildlife, or park regulations is encouraged to call FWP’s 24-hour wildlife tip line at 1-800-TIP-MONT (1-800-847-6668). Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000 for providing information that leads to a conviction.

MISSOULA – A Twin Bridges man who admitted selling meth in Madison County, as well as Bozeman and Butte, plead guilty to federal drug charges.

Martin James Walsh, 53, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeramiah Lynch presided over the hearing.

According to sentencing documents, the amount of methamphetamine found in Walsh’s residence was approximately 260 grams or 2,080 dosing units.

Beginning in October 2016, the South West Montana Drug Task Force (SWMDTF) used a confidential informant to purchase an 8 ball of methamphetamine from Walsh.

The next month the SWMDTF again made an undercover purchase of ¼ ounce of methamphetamine from Walsh.

In June 2017, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office used another confidential informant to purchase a small amount of heroin from Walsh.

According to court documents, sheriff deputies obtained a search warrant for Walsh’s residence in Twin Bridges based upon the purchases. During the search of Walsh’s home, they found a digital scale, several glass smoking pipes, a large box containing four bags of a white crystalline substance that tested positive for methamphetamine.

Walsh was home at the time of the search. He was detained and read his Miranda rights.

Further investigation by the Missouri River Drug Task Force learned that Walsh had been supplying large quantities of methamphetamine to a distributor in Bozeman.

It was learned that between July 2016 through January 2017, Walsh had distributed 1,357 grams, or 10,856 dosing units, of methamphetamine to his co-conspirator to be distributed throughout the Gallatin County area.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan R. Whittaker and investigated by the FBI, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, South West Montana Drug Task Force, and the Missouri River Drug Task Force.

MISSOULA – Missoula police are investigating an alleged assault that occurred outside of a downtown bar early Saturday morning involving two University of Montana student athletes.

Police were dispatched to the bar on Front Street around 1:30 a.m. Saturday.

According to Sgt. Travis Welsh, the call was for two males that were assaulted outside of the bar by two other males that were identified as Griz athletes.

The two victims were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and their status is unknown.

“We are aware there was an incident downtown involving student athletes over the weekend,” said University of Montana Athletic Director Kent Haslam. “Law enforcement is investigating and when we understand more we will process this through the student athlete code of conduct.”

It will be up to the Missoula County Attorney’s Office to file charges against the athletes.

Reporting by Connor McCauley for MTN News

BOZEMAN – A man wanted on a $500,000 warrant for theft and eluding law enforcement was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service on Monday and now faces a further felony charge of burglary.

Shawn Arrants, 30, made his appearance in Justice Court on Wednesday for the burglary charge. He had also failed to appear at a sentencing hearing for a separate case on May 2; in that case, Arrants was accused of strangling a woman and threatening her with an assault rifle.

According to charging documents, Arrants was taken into custody around 4 p.m. Monday after federal agents with the U.S. Marshals Service located him inside a vehicle, in the garage of a Three Forks residence. He had earlier fled from the agents on foot.

The owner of the residence reportedly told the agents he did not know Arrants, did not know he was on the property, and had not given Arrants permission to be there or inside the vehicle.

Prior to Arrants’ arrest on Monday, District Court Judge John Brown had issued a $500,000 warrant for his arrest, after he ran from law enforcement while traveling from Belgrade to Butte on April 27. Evidence of stolen firearms was found in his vehicle after he abandoned it and fled on foot.

In Justice Court, Judge Rick West set Arrant’s bail at $500,000 for the burglary charge, concurrent with the District Court warrant.

BILLINGS – A 25-year-old female inmate walked away from the Passages Women’s Program Wednesday night.

Katee Thompson is 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighs 142 pounds and is blonde with blue eyes.

The Miles City woman was sentenced for burglary in Custer County and arrived at Passage April 12.

Thompson is facing a 10-year sentence for felony escape and should be considered dangerous and not approached.

Call 911 immediately if you see her.

BILLINGS – The Billings police officer who injured a bystander whom he tackled while pursuing a suspect in 2012 is not protected from litigation, the Montana Supreme Court ruled Tuesday.

Robert Bassett originally filed the lawsuit in Yellowstone County District Court against Officer Paul LaMantia, alleging Lamantia failed to exercise reasonable care in performing his duties.

LaMantia and his partner responded to a neighborhood disturbance, and began pursuing a man on foot around 12:30 a.m.

According to court documents, LaMantia dropped his flashlight as he climbed over the retaining wall into Bassett’s backyard.

Bassett went outside to investigate the commotion as LaMantia searched for his flashlight.

“Fearing for his safety, LaMantia tackled Bassett to the ground,” state court documents. “LaMantia released Bassett as soon as he realized the Bassett was no threat.”

The impact caused Bassett to suffer a torn rotator cuff.

The case, which was moved to U.S. District Court in Billings, was dismissed in 2014 after a federal judge ruled in favor of the city of Billings.

The city had contended that Montana’s public-duty doctrine, which shields an officer’s discretionary choice made while carrying out his or her duty from a jury’s review, protected LaMantia.

After Bassett filed an appeal, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit asked the Montana Supreme Court to consider whether LaMantia is shielded by the public-duty doctrine.

According to the Tuesday ruling from the Montana Supreme Court, the doctrine does not protect an officer from liability for negligence that resulted in injury.

“While an officer must be afforded discretion in protecting the public and preserving the peace, it does not follow that an officer owes no other duties to those he encounters as he carries out his job responsibilities,” the high court ruled.

The high court ruled added that “an officer may owe a legal duty to a person injured directly by the officer’s affirmative actions.”

The justices said the issue of whether LaMantia breached the duty he owed to Bassett as an officer of the law and whether LaMantia’s actions caused Bassett’s injury should be left to a jury.

RELATED:
Billings officer under investigation for fight that hospitalized Laurel officer

Reporting by Aja Goare for MTN News

HELENA – Nathan Eli Johnson, a 34-year-old resident of Saint Paul Minnesota, entered a plea of guilty today to possession with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana. U.S. Senior District Judge Sam Haddon presided over the hearing.

On Saturday November 12, 2016, a Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputy made a traffic stop on Johnson’s Chevy Tahoe while traveling eastbound on Interstate I-90.

The deputy had seen two vehicles traveling 95 miles per hour in an 80 mile per hour zone. The deputy was able to make a traffic stop on the Tahoe. The Tahoe was operated by Nathan Eli Johnson who held a suspended/revoked driver’s license out of Minnesota. Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) arrived to assist with the stop.

During the contact with Johnson, MHP troopers could smell marijuana. Johnson told MHP that he had an eighth ounce of marijuana in his possession. Johnson gave MHP permission to search the Tahoe.

When a trooper asked Johnson how much marijuana he would find, Johnson said, “I’m (expletive).” When the trooper again asked how much, Johnson said “a lot.” The trooper again confirmed consent to search and Johnson agreed.

During the search officers located 16 large duffel bags containing suspected marijuana. Each bag contained multiple pounds of marijuana.

As a result of what was learned, JCSO requested assistance from the Southwest Montana Drug Task Force (SWMDTF) who helped to obtain a search warrant regarding additional items of contraband believed to be located in the Tahoe.

Johnson stated that he had manufactured, processed, and transported approximately 388 pounds (approximately 175 kilograms) of marijuana which was located in the Tahoe.

Johnson also stated he had been involved in the distribution, possession and manufacture of large amounts of marijuana for approximately six years.

He stated he oversees the production and harvest of the marijuana in Oregon and transports and distributes the marijuana to multiple dealers in the St. Paul Minnesota area.

Johnson stated during the six years he was operating as a large scale marijuana dealer, he produced approximately 1,420 pounds of useable marijuana which he has sold for an approximate total of $1,704,000.

This estimation appeared to investigators to be at the low end of the spectrum, based upon the average street price of high grade marijuana in the St. Paul Minnesota area. Johnson further stated that upon returning to the St. Paul area, he had a group of 40 to 50 individuals he would contact for the purpose of distributing the marijuana.

Johnson’s sentencing hearing has been set for August 29, 2018 in Helena.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan R. Whittaker and investigated by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Highway Patrol, and the South West Montana Drug Task Force.

GREAT FALLS – Emerson Gerald Fourhorns is facing criminal charges after he allegedly stabbed a man in Great Falls.

Police officers responded to a home on Chowen Springs Loop at 3:39 a.m. on Thursday after receiving a report that a man had been stabbed twice.

When officers arrived, they found the victim bleeding from the chest; the victim told police that Fourhorns had stabbed him twice with a kitchen knife. The victim sustained two stab wounds – one in the chest, and one in the left shoulder.Emerson Fourhorns

The victim was taken to Benefis Health System for treatment of his injuries. There is no word at this point on the victim’s current medical condition.

Police interviewed Fourhorns’ girlfriend at the scene; according to court documents, she said that Fourhorns and the victim were drinking and arguing, and Fourhorns grabbed a large kitchen knife and stabbed the victim. The woman also said that Fourhorns threatened her with the knife. Another witness corroborated what the woman said.

Court documents state that Fourhorns, who had left the home, was later found at Benefis, and reportedly did not deny the assault. He allegedly told police something along the lines of: “Do you really think these (charges) will stick? (The victim) won’t cooperate.”

Fourhorns has been charged with assault with a weapon (felony); assault with a weapon (misdemeanor); and two counts of partner/family members assault (misdemeanor).

According to the Montana Department of Corrections, Fourhorns has conviction in Cascade County for robbery, assault with a weapon, and tampering with a witness/informants; and a conviction in Powell County for escape.

Prosecutors requested that bond for Fourhorns be set at $100,000.

A Belgrade man was charged with his 4th DUI after a police officer saw him driving in the wrong lane on Thursday night.

Grant Leslie White, 48, was charged with felony DUI in Gallatin County Justice Court Friday morning.

According to charging documents, a Belgrade Police Officer traveling on Alaska Frontage Road in Belgrade reportedly observed White’s vehicle behind him traveling in the wrong lane. As they turned onto Frank Road, the officer again saw White’s vehicle in the wrong lane of travel. The officer pulled over and let the vehicle pass him and then initiated a traffic stop.

When questioned, White reportedly acknowledged he was in the wrong lane because he was looking down, attempting to find his phone.

White’s eyes were reportedly bloodshot and glassy and he admitted to consuming alcohol approximately 30 minutes before being pulled over.

White refused to provide a breath sample and was arrested. A blood sample was requested with a search warrant and was obtained at the Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital. Results from a field sobriety test reportedly indicated White was under the influence of alcohol.

A review of White’s criminal history showed he had three prior lifetime convictions of DUI.

White is being held on $10,000 bail.

BILLINGS – The former Bureau of Indian Affairs officer who admitted he impregnated a woman in Lame Deer after he coerced her into having sex with him under the threat of arrest was sentenced Thursday to federal prison.

Dana Bullcoming, 43, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Billings to three years in federal prison on one count of deprivation of rights under the law.

Two counts of making a false statement to a federal officer were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Prosecutors described in their sentencing memorandum how Bullcoming abused his power as a law enforcement officer to coerce a woman into having unprotected sex with him.

“Something had to be done,” Bullcoming told the victim when he came to her house in the middle of the night.

Bullcoming threatened the woman, telling her he would report her to social services and arrest her for child endangerment because she was intoxicated in her home with her children asleep in another room.

The woman complied and had sex with Bullcoming because she was afraid to lose her new job and custody of her children, according to court documents.

The woman became pregnant after having sex with Bullcoming.

“(The victim) was in a position that day that no person should ever face – have sex with an officer or go to jail,” prosecutors argued in their sentencing memorandum. “Police officers are integral in our society. When one of our own, an officer with years of experience, breaks this trust the repercussions are substantial.”

Prosecutors added that the impacts to the victim are likely “everlasting.”

Prosecutors had requested a sentence of 10 years in prison but Judge Susan Watters opted for the lesser sentence recommended by the defense.

Bullcoming’s attorney noted that a psychosexual evaluator deemed Bullcoming a low risk offender, meaning he is unlikely to commit a similar crime in the future.

Reporting by Aja Goare for MTN News

A Belgrade man is facing a number of charges including his 3rd DUI after he reportedly crashed a vehicle into a yellow submarine outside a local business.

Tanner D. Smith, 25, was charged with DUI 3rd offense, habitual offender of operating a motor vehicle, driving while suspended or revoked, no seatbelt, no insurance (3rd or subsequent), failure to notify of an accident and leaving the scene of an accident without permission in Gallatin County Justice Court Friday morning.

According to charging documents, a Montana Highway Patrol trooper responded to a report of a crash at 8:31 p.m. on Thursday, May 10 near the intersection of Jackrabbit Lane and Forkhorn Trail.

Witnesses said that two males had taken off from the scene, running eastbound on Forkhorn Trail. The witnesses tried to get the pair to remain on scene until help arrived.

The chief of the Big Sky Fire Department was nearby had followed the two to the driveway of a residence on Arrowhead Trail and detained the pair until law enforcement arrived.

Witnesses told the trooper that a vehicle appeared to be traveling southbound on Jackrabbit at a high rate of speed before attempting to make a left turn onto Forkhorn Trail.

The driver lost control of the vehicle, which then slid broadside into a ditch, causing it to crash onto the yellow submarine at Four Corners Auto. The submarine reportedly sustained damages.

Smith reportedly appeared confused and answered “I don’t know” or silence to every question the trooper asked. Court documents say Smith had a “thousand-yard” stare and appeared dazed. He also had an “overwhelming” odor of alcoholic beverages coming from him.

Smith refused a breath test and was unable to perform field sobriety tests. He has two prior DUI convictions, one on Sept. 19, 2017, and June 17, 2015. Smith also had 4 prior no insurance convictions within the last 5 years: 2014, two in 2015 and one in 2016.

Smith is being held on $10,000 bail.

Additional reporting by Ken Spencer and Carson Vickroy

BILLINGS – The former Billings Clinic nurse who was fired last year for allegedly diverting powerful painkillers intended for over 300 patients for his own personal use has indicated he will plead guilty to the charges.

Donald Mills is charged in U.S. District Court in Billings with tampering with consumer products and acquiring Fentanyl by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery and deception.

Mills recently indicated he will plead guilty to the two charges without a plea agreement.

The Drug Enforcement Administration received a report from the Billings Clinic Director of Pharmacy Services in March of last year that an employee at the Atrium Hospital on 10th Avenue North had pilfered 200 milliliters of Fentanyl.

Fentanyl is a highly addictive, powerful painkiller than can be fatal in high doses.

Investigators learned Mills was using a syringe to remove the drug from packaging used in medical procedures at the hospital and replacing it with saline, according to court documents.

A Billings Clinic spokesperson said earlier that over 300 patients were likely affected.

The DEA met with the associate general counsel for Billings Clinic, who provided documents filed with the board of nursing that showed Mills tested positive for Fentanyl in March.

Mills was interviewed when the results came back positive, and he was in possession of a syringe full of Fentanyl, according to court documents. Mills also possessed vials of saline.

A search of Mills locker yielded two additional vials of saline.

An audit of the record keeping machine at the hospital revealed Mills made over 70 null transactions using his login from February through March.

Controlled substances were pulled from the stations and the “Fentanyl did not look quite right,” according to court documents.

During a recorded interview with the DEA, Mills said he was dealing with neck pain and anxiety and he believed he could self-medicate.

Mills admitted he’d been carrying out the diversion scheme since February of 2017. He said he worked an average of four days a week and said he diverted two vials of Fentanyl most days that he worked.

Mills reported taking most of the Fentanyl out of vials using a syringe and replacing it with saline. When he did this, Mills said he made sure patients got a full vial along with whatever he switched out.

He said he injected the drug into his arms while in the bathroom, according to court documents.

The DEA collected vials of Fentanyl that were suspected of tampering. Of the 22 packages of Fentanyl collected, 15 packages no longer contained Fentanyl.

A change of plea hearing is set for May 17.

Prosecutors have not said what sentence they will recommend.

Previous:
Billings Clinic nurse who stole patients’ narcotics identified

Reporting by Aja Goare for MTN News

BILLINGS – A man is facing charges after he was pinned down by a doctor at Billings Same Day Care in January when he allegedly reached for sharp medical instruments.

Michael Lynn Whiteman, 34, was set to appear in Yellowstone County Justice Court Thursday on one count of misdemeanor negligent endangerment.

Police received a report from in January describing a physical altercation between a doctor and a patient.

Officers located Whiteman and arrested him.

A nurse reported to police that he was advised Whiteman was acting very strange and complaining that small children were in the cabinets and “needed to be kicked out of the room.”

Whiteman walked over to the sink where medical tools used to cut sutures were soaking in chemicals, according to court documents.

When Whiteman attempted to pick up the medical tools, the male nurse became scared and grabbed Whiteman’s wrist and held him to the ground until authorities arrived.

A witness who had walked by the room at the time of the incident told police he saw Whiteman acting strange so he began to talk with him.

Whiteman told the man he was seeing small children in the room and said he wanted to assault them, according to the witness.

When the nurse entered the room, the man continued talking with Whiteman.

Whiteman appeared agitated “like he intended to physically harm someone,” according to the witness.

The witness saw Whiteman reach for the sharp tools before the nurse took him down.

Whiteman is being held at the Yellowstone County jail.

Reporting by Aja Goare for MTN News

KALISPELL – Jerry Forsyth, convicted of killing his wife Karen at a Kalispell bowling alley in 1979, is up for parole.

Although Karen was murdered almost 40 years ago, her family has to relive her painful death every five years when her killer is up for parole.

“She would have loved to be like an Honors English teacher, she loved kids. She just was an amazing person that way, she was very smart,” her sister Karen Snell said.

Karen’s final resting place is at Glacier Memorial Cemetery; she would have turned 69 years old in July.

Police found Karen’s body with a bullet wound in the head at the Skyline Bowl in Kalispell on December 11, 1979.

Forsyth was convicted for her murder in 1986 and sentenced to 110 years in prison.

“He’s in a very good place for him, a person like that. Calculating and cold. Not a nice man, he’s an animal,” Snell said.

Now she’s fighting for him to stay in prison. Snell is speaking out against her sister’s killer every time he is up for parole every five years and vows to continue that legacy.

“I hope he stays right where he is at and I would love it if people would write letters even if it is just a few words saying keep him in prison,” Snell told MTN News.

The parole hearing is set for May 23.

Letters can be sent: Montana State Board of Pardons & Parole, 1002 Hollenbeck Road, Deer Lodge, Montana 59722.

Reporting by Nicole Miller for MTN News

MISSOULA – A 32-year-old Missoula man is facing felony charges, including assault with a weapon and assault on a peace officer, after being arrested in a high-speed chase on Monday night.

Missoula County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched just after 10 p.m. on May 7 after receiving a report of shots being fired on Primrose Lane.

According to court documents, deputies were informed that the person who fired the shots was Michael Gordon and that he had declared that he was “going to war” to kill his father.

Gordon then drove away from the scene in a white Chevy pickup truck in the direction of Metalworks of Montana.

Documents show that deputies located the pickup and attempted to pull Gordon over, who led police on a chase that reached speeds of over 100 mph before coming to a stop in the parking lot of Metalworks.

Gordon exited his vehicle with a shotgun in his hands but dropped the weapon and complied with deputies.

Gordon was involved in an incident at the Fox Club back in 2014 where he was determined by the court to have fatally shot Christopher Hymel in a “legally justified” manner.

Reporting by Connor McCauley for MTN News

HELENA – Robert Scollard was arrested on May 4 after he allegedly tried to rob the Best Bet Casino on Euclid Avenue in Helena.

According to the Helena Police Department, Scollard reportedly entered the business, demanded money from a casino employee, and said he had a gun.

When confronted by a second casino worker, Scollard is said to have fled and was arrested less than an hour later.

Scollard has prior convictions for robbery, arson, theft, and forgery.

His bond has been set at $40,000.