A former deputy of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office had the imposition of sentencing deferred for six years on one count of felony intimidation during a sentencing hearing in District Court in Polson Aug. 21. Todd Adams was also sentenced to one year in jail with all but time served suspended for misdemeanor partner or family member assault.

The sentence was based on a plea agreement reached during an earlier court proceeding. Adams was initially facing additional charges of assault with a weapon and kidnapping.

Judge John Mercer was reluctant to accept the plea agreement until Adams took responsibility in court for his actions, public acknowledging that he was at fault.

The charges are based on a motion filed by Thorin A. Geist, with the Attorney General’s Office and acting as special counsel for the Lake County Attorney’s Office. The motion includes details of an investigation by detectives with the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office who were assisting the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

The investigation determined that on Dec 15, 2024, Adams, his wife and daughter had gone to another relative’s home for a family dinner. There was a verbal altercation, and he discharged a firearm into the air while the daughter of the two was present. This resulted in the daughter fearing for her life, and the mother and daughter returned to their residence.

Adams arrived home about 10 minutes later, and the victim stated that alcohol was consumed and that she wanted to get away from the situation. When she went to leave, Adams allegedly attempted to stop her and eventually placed her in a “law enforcement hold.”

She told officers he brought her to the ground and placed her in handcuffs. She stated that Adams also put her in the bathtub and “waterboarded” her. 

Judge Mercer gave Adams credit for having already spent 14 to 17 days in custody (an exact count was still being determined) and ordered him to pay $1,000 to a domestic violence advocacy program (Safe Harbor), $370 to the victim, plus court fees and costs.

The victim told the court she supported the terms of the plea agreement.