Lake County jail commander charged and booked in Missoula jail
EMILY MESSER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 months AGO
Emily Messer joined the Lake County Leader in July of 2025 after earning a B.A. degree in Journalism from the University of Montana. Emily grew up in the rolling hills of southeast Missouri. She's lived in Montana since 2022 and honed her reporting craft through the UM J-School newspaper and internships at the RMEF Bugle Magazine and the Missoulian. At the Leader, she covers government, business, education, agriculture and community news. Contact Emily Messer at [email protected] or 406.883.4343 | April 9, 2026 12:00 AM
Lake County Detention Commander Joel Shearer was arrested and charged with a first offense misdemeanor for alleged partner or family member assault that caused bodily injury, according to the Lake County Justice Court filing from Monday, March 30.
The Missoula County Inmate Charges and Court Schedule website stated that Shearer was booked into Missoula County on Sunday, March 29, under an “Administrative Billing” charge for Missoula holding Shearer for Lake County.
The Missoula Inmate website stated that Lake County was the arresting agency. Polson Police Chief George Simpson confirmed that his department was not asked to assist in the case, and said the sheriff’s office conducted their own investigation and made their own arrest, which is “not typical, but sometimes happens.”
Lake County Sheriff Don Bell, who oversees the Lake County Detention Center, said he cannot comment on this personnel issue. County Commissioner Bill Barron, who is on the Detention Studies Facilities Committee, said Shearer submitted a letter of resignation to the county.
Shearer's initial appearance hearing was on March 30, when he pleaded not guilty, and his bond was set at $85. His omnibus hearing is set for Monday, May 4, at 10 a.m.
ARTICLES BY EMILY MESSER
Looking Forward: A Note from Your New Editor
I would like to take this opportunity to officially introduce myself. My name is Emily Messer, and I am honored to be taking on the role of editor at the Lake County Leader.
Charlo celebrates America’s 250th birthday with a show out parade
Last weekend, the community of Charlo came together for their annual Fourth of July parade, and this year was full of red, white and blue with candy flying in the air as the parade headed down the packed streets of Charlo.
Red, white and blue light up Polson’s sky on Fourth of July Eve
Polson Chamber of Commerce kicked off the Fourth of July weekend celebration of the “Big 250” with lights in the sky on July 3, viewed from the hot spot location on the riverside and from a newfound location.