Charlo man could face 50 years for sexually assaulting minor
JEFF SMITH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 months, 3 weeks AGO
Ronald Paul Hansen
Jeff Smith is news director for Anderson Broadcasting and a contributor to the Lake County Leader. | July 9, 2026 12:00 AM
A Charlo man admitted to sexually assaulting a minor. Ronald Paul Hansen, 35, entered a plea of guilty in Polson District Court on July 1 to two felony charges related to the incident.
The plea was entered as part of an agreement that will dismiss a third felony charge. It calls for the state recommending 25 years in the Montana State Prison on each of the two charges, with none of that time suspended. The defense reserves the right to recommend 25 years MSP on each charge, with 25 years suspended. Both are recommending that sentences run consecutively to each other.
According to court records, the incident was reported on Nov. 9, 2025.
Judge Molly Owen set sentencing on Sept. 2. As of July 1, Hansen had served 234 days in the Lake County Jail.
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