Thursday, July 09, 2026
77.0°F

Lee pleads guilty to assault charge for pursuit

JEFF SMITH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 6 months, 2 weeks AGO
by JEFF SMITH
Jeff Smith is news director for Anderson Broadcasting and a contributor to the Lake County Leader. | December 24, 2025 11:00 PM

A Great Falls man involved in a pursuit with law enforcement admitted to one charge stemming from the incident. Michael David Lee, 43, entered a plea of guilty in District Court in Polson Dec. 17 to felony assault with a weapon.

The plea was entered as part of an agreement that could dismiss criminal endangerment and criminal mischief charges at sentencing. It comes with a recommendation of 10 years in the Montana State Prison with none of that time suspended. The judge is not bound by the agreement.

According to court records, on Aug. 24, law enforcement responded to a report of a stolen vehicle occupied by a potentially suicidal male with intentions to shoot at law enforcement. Lee was spotted by officers driving the stolen vehicle, a 2004 white Chevy Silverado, on Jette Hill, and took off from them.

Officers followed him across the Armed Forces Memorial Bridge in excess of 70 mph, before he fled south out of Polson. Speeds at this point of the pursuit exceeded 125 mph, and continued south through Pablo.

The Silverado reportedly struck another motorist in a 2012 Chevy Sonic before it skidded out and caused damage to a Ronan business, estimated at $45,000. The Chevy Sonic appeared to be totaled and one of its occupants had to be transported to the hospital for treatment of a head laceration.

Judge Molly Owen set sentencing for Jan. 21. Lee remains in custody with bond totaling $75,000.

ARTICLES BY JEFF SMITH

Charlo man could face 50 years for sexually assaulting minor
July 9, 2026 midnight

Charlo man could face 50 years for sexually assaulting minor

A Charlo man admitted to sexually assaulting a minor. Ronald Paul Hansen, 35, entered a plea of guilty in Polson District Court on July 1 to two felony charges related to the incident.

Bitsinni admits to felony criminal mischief
July 9, 2026 midnight

Bitsinni admits to felony criminal mischief

A Dayton man, already on probation from a 2018 conviction, admitted to charges related to a damaged fence. Orli Christensen Bitsinni, 26, entered a plea of guilty in Polson District Court on July 2 to criminal mischief.

July 2, 2026 midnight

Jorgenson sentenced to four years for sexually assaulting minors

A Ronan man who pled guilty to sexual assault was sentenced in Polson District Court on June 24 to 10 years in the Montana State Prison, with six years suspended, for assaulting four minors.