A St. Ignatius man who admitted to sexually assaulting a person was sentenced in District Court in Polson on Jan. 14 to the Montana State Prison for five years with two years suspended.

Paul Vincent Tatto, 74, pleaded guilty Sept. 10 to sexual assault, third offense, felony. The sentencing was in accordance with a plea agreement.

According to court records, on March 12, 2025, Polson Police responded to a report of a sexual assault at Walmart. The responding officer spoke with the alleged victim, identified only by the initials “J.B.” who indicated that Tatto groped him on his buttocks.

Tatto then positioned himself in front of J.B. and fondled his private area without his consent. The man went on to describe the alleged suspect and the officer quickly located and questioned Tatto, who initially denied J.B.'s claim. He later said he had permission to give J.B. a “quick pat” on the buttocks.

Walmart staff assisted Polson Police in securing video of the alleged incident from surveillance at the store. Records show Tatto with two prior convictions of sexual assault. They include convictions on Dec. 19, 2014, in Missoula and Sept. 8, 2017, in Lake County.

Judge Molly Owen gave Tatto credit for having served one day in jail.