A man arrested last year after allegedly barricading himself in a hotel room during an apparent mental health crisis later received a deferred sentence.

Christopher Richard Deskus, 59, pleaded not guilty to felony criminal endangerment and misdemeanor obstructing a peace officer at his April 24, 2025 arraignment in Flathead County District Court but accepted a plea deal in October. In exchange for a guilty plea to the felony, prosecutors agreed to drop the misdemeanor and recommend he receive a three-year deferred sentence.  

Judge Dan Wilson stuck to the recommendations at Deskus' Nov. 20 sentencing, giving him credit for 26 days of time served. Wilson ordered the three-year stretch to run concurrent with another sentence out of Granite County. 

Flathead County Sheriff's Office deputies confronted Deskus at a hotel near Glacier Park International Airport on April 7, 2025 after his fiancé requested a welfare check, according to court documents. Deskus allegedly ignored commands to leave his hotel room and told deputies he "would take action to defend himself" if they tried to force their way in, court documents said.  

Using a drone, deputies saw that Deskus had barricaded himself in the room and was aiming a gun at the door, court documents alleged.  

Deskus eventually relented and surrendered to law enforcement. A search of the room turned up two pistols, ammunition and spent casings on the bed and floor.   

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 406-758-4430 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.