Authorities have agreed to defer prosecution for a man accused of spray-painting sexually themed messages on restrooms at fishing accesses and other state recreation facilities.

According to an agreement filed in Flathead District Court, Walter Pyatt, a transient, will have to work toward paying restitution or perform community service to pay the state back for the more than $2,500 in damage he caused.

He also is prohibited from sending letters unless they are first approved by an attorney.

Additionally, Pyatt will have to continue seeking mental health treatment.

The case will be dropped if Pyatt manages to meet all conditions spelled out in the agreement.

Pyatt had been deemed mentally capable of proceeding to arraignment on felony criminal mischief charges. It had been set for trial today.

Pyatt was charged with the crime in February 2015, months after Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wardens were first called to a state-owned pit toilet in September 2014 in the Thompson Chain of Lakes area.

Officers found that white and gold paint marker was used to write messages on the walls of the restroom that were similar to messages found in at least 73 subsequent incidents that occurred at restroom facilities in the next few months.

The messages instructed people to send letters to various addresses including the U.S. Department of Justice, the Office of Civil Rights and the Bureau of Consumer Protection. Additional messages in the same ink and handwriting described sex, prostitutes, drugs and young girls.

The break in the case came in January 2015 after wardens monitored activity at the restrooms and identified Pyatt as a suspect.

Further investigation found that Pyatt had mailed a handwritten letter to a local physician that referred to young girls and instructed the recipient to mail letters to various federal agencies that matched those painted on the restrooms. The handwriting in the letter matched the writing on the restrooms.

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.