The Cascade County Commissioners have approved prosecutorial assistance from the City of Great Falls for a criminal matter.
The agenda action report states the Cascade County Attorney’s Office requested assistance due to having a conflict of interest in the matter.
The case number in the report is the same case number the attorney’s office used when requesting help from the Montana Department of Justice for an investigation into the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation led to the arrest of former undersheriff John Stevens. He has been charged with one felony count of theft.
The agenda action report for prosecutorial assistance states the county normally refers conflict criminal matters to the Prosecution Services Bureau. In this instance, the Prosecution Services Bureau declined to handle the case.
During last week’s work session, Deputy County Attorney Carey Ann Haight said it’s their “standard agreement with the city to handle conflict cases that would otherwise be misdemeanors.”
The investigation has concluded and is in prosecutorial review to see if charges are warranted.
City of Great Falls Attorney Joe Cik was assigned as the special deputy county attorney in the matter.
Cascade County Sheriff Jesse Slaughter said during a press conference last week that another arrest in connection with the investigation into the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office would be made this week.
At this time, no other arrests have been made.
We will update you as we learn more.
