Jury convicts Gadison of rape
JEFF SMITH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 months, 1 week AGO
Jeff Smith is news director for Anderson Broadcasting and a contributor to the Lake County Leader. | December 10, 2025 11:00 PM
A Lake County jury found a Polson man guilty of sexual intercourse without consent.
The trial for Barnell Kentrel Gadison, 45, began in District Court in Polson Dec. 1, and the state rested its case the following morning. By late Tuesday afternoon, the jury began deliberations. Jurors were released that evening, and reached the guilty verdict mid-morning Dec. 3.
According to charging documents, on May 10, Polson Police were called to investigate a possible rape. The alleged victim sought treatment at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center.
The woman told the officer that she was working at Dream Boutique beauty supply store on Fourth Avenue East. She indicated that she was the only one in the store when Gadison entered, sat on a couch and began to talk to her.
She said he started talking to her about relationships before the topic turned to more suggestive content, such as sexual fantasies. She went on to say that she did not know Gadison and explained that she was not interested.
Gadson told her she could touch him any way she wanted before grabbing her arm. Then, he pushed her into the bathroom after locking the front door, putting the closed sign up, and assaulted her.
Judge Molly Owen set sentencing on Feb. 25. Gadison remains in custody.
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