Post by WaTcHeR on Mar 17, 2006 13:54:51 GMT -5
03/17/2006 - A would-be sheriff’s deputy is in Flathead County jail, awaiting sentencing after pleading no contest to family member assault and guilty to theft and criminal mischief.
Richard Rossmiller previously pleaded not guilty to felony charges of stalking, burglary, criminal mischief and criminal endangerment. Charges were reduced in a plea agreement arranged by Deputy County Attorney Tim Wenz and Rossmiller’s attorney, Sean Hinchey.
Rossmiller was poised to begin work as a Flathead County sheriff’s deputy in June 2005, when allegations about illegal conduct came to the attention of Jim Dupont. He delayed swearing in Rossmiller until an investigation could be conducted. As that began, officials became concerned about Rossmiller’s welfare, and a SWAT effort was used to break into his apartment because they feared he might be suicidal.
Rossmiller was arrested and returned to Chouteau County, where he was a sheriff’s deputy before moving to the Flathead. There, he was sentenced recently on three criminal charges related to the theft of fencing and a hot tub while he was a deputy. He received an eight-year suspended sentence for felony theft, a six-month suspended sentence for misdemeanor theft, and a six-month suspended sentence for official misconduct. Fines totaled $2,500, and restitution was about $5,000.
In Flathead County, the charges were filed after a woman said Rossmiller followed her when she moved here. The two had a romantic relationship in Chouteau County.
She accused him of violating a restraining order in Chouteau County and stalking her in Flathead County.
She said he has broken into her home and sabotaged her wiring, damaged her car, and called her constantly. She fears him, she said.
When he entered his pleas last week, Rossmiller asked to be released on his recognizance until sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled.
That request was denied, and Rossmiller remains jailed.
Richard Rossmiller previously pleaded not guilty to felony charges of stalking, burglary, criminal mischief and criminal endangerment. Charges were reduced in a plea agreement arranged by Deputy County Attorney Tim Wenz and Rossmiller’s attorney, Sean Hinchey.
Rossmiller was poised to begin work as a Flathead County sheriff’s deputy in June 2005, when allegations about illegal conduct came to the attention of Jim Dupont. He delayed swearing in Rossmiller until an investigation could be conducted. As that began, officials became concerned about Rossmiller’s welfare, and a SWAT effort was used to break into his apartment because they feared he might be suicidal.
Rossmiller was arrested and returned to Chouteau County, where he was a sheriff’s deputy before moving to the Flathead. There, he was sentenced recently on three criminal charges related to the theft of fencing and a hot tub while he was a deputy. He received an eight-year suspended sentence for felony theft, a six-month suspended sentence for misdemeanor theft, and a six-month suspended sentence for official misconduct. Fines totaled $2,500, and restitution was about $5,000.
In Flathead County, the charges were filed after a woman said Rossmiller followed her when she moved here. The two had a romantic relationship in Chouteau County.
She accused him of violating a restraining order in Chouteau County and stalking her in Flathead County.
She said he has broken into her home and sabotaged her wiring, damaged her car, and called her constantly. She fears him, she said.
When he entered his pleas last week, Rossmiller asked to be released on his recognizance until sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled.
That request was denied, and Rossmiller remains jailed.