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Arrested for public urination, man allegedly threatens Whitefish Police officer

DERRICK PERKINS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 5 months AGO
by DERRICK PERKINS
NEWS EDITOR Derrick Perkins serves as News Editor at the Daily Inter Lake. He oversees daily news coverage and works closely with reporters to plan, edit and publish stories across print and digital platforms. Perkins helps coordinate coverage of local government, public safety, business and community developments throughout Northwest Montana. He works with the reporting staff to strengthen journalism while maintaining consistent daily coverage. His role helps ensure the newsroom delivers timely, accurate reporting that readers rely on. IMPACT: Derrick’s work keeps readers informed about the decisions and events shaping their communities every day. | March 21, 2025 12:00 AM

A man arrested for allegedly peeing behind a Whitefish bus stop earlier this month is accused of threatening the police officer who took him to county jail.  

Dustin Lawrence Oswald, 52, faces one count of felony threats in official matters following his March 12 arrest near the intersection of Baker Avenue and 13th Street. He is expected to appear before Judge Heidi Ulbricht in Flathead County District Court for his arraignment on April 3.  

A passing officer spotted Oswald standing behind a bus stop and urinating on the brick wall of a supermarket about 3:07 p.m., according to court documents. Oswald allegedly grew upset during the ensuing interaction and the officer arrested him for disorderly conduct.  

En route to the county jail, Oswald allegedly threatened to tear the officer's throat out and swore he would punch officer out when they next met. The threats escalated with Oswald saying, "I'm going to [expletive] tear your face off, bro" and "I'm going to bust your nose right across your [expletive] face, bro, [expletive] you up," according to court documents.  

Oswald later allegedly referred to owning firearms and told the officer that "... when you have a cockroach problem you have to put them to death, just the way it's always been." 

Upon arrival at the jail, Oswald asked if he had been placed in handcuffs because the officer was afraid of him, court documents said.  

"I will rock your world, bro," Oswald allegedly told the officer.  

If convicted, Oswald faces up to 10 years in Montana State Prison and a $50,000 fine. 

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or [email protected].

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