Child pornography case dismissed after defendant dies
DERRICK PERKINS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 months, 3 weeks AGO
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 20, 2026 12:00 AM
A Kalispell man facing charges stemming from the possession and distribution of child pornography has died while awaiting trial.
Businessman Steven Dale Rasmussen, 58, had pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual abuse of children at his Dec. 11 arraignment before Judge Amy Eddy in Flathead County District Court.
Eddy scheduled a pretrial conference for April 29 and set June 1 as the tentative start date for a jury trial, but on Feb. 5 prosecutors filed a motion to dismiss the case, citing Rasmussen's death.
Eddy ordered the case dismissed the following day.
Authorities began investigating Rasmussen after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in October, according to court documents. A phone account and email address linked to the 58-year-old had uploaded more than 10 files of child pornography or child sexual assault material to the Verizon Cloud between November 2023 and April 2025, court documents said.
Additionally, an internet provider address linked to Rasmussen's Kalispell guitar shop had uploaded child sexual abuse materials to an instant messaging app between June 2024 and March 2025, according to court documents.
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.
ARTICLES BY DERRICK PERKINS
Columbia Falls therapist faces child pornography, other charges
A Flathead Valley therapist is facing multiple felonies, including 15 counts of sexual abuse of children, after authorities allegedly found child porn, drugs and bomb components during a Sept. 2 raid of his Columbia Falls home.
Man fired upon by Kalispell Police officers allegedly hurled cans, rocks during confrontation
The man arrested after Kalispell Police officers opened fire earlier this month allegedly hurled rocks, cans and bottles at them during the confrontation.
Therapist accused of keeping cache of child porn, bomb parts
Scott Thomas McFarlane, 41, is being held in the county jail with bail set at $1 million following the search of his Shadow Wood Drive home.