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Lee pleads guilty to assault charge for pursuit

JEFF SMITH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 months, 3 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.

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