Two people protested in person and others criticized the Columbia Falls Community Market on social media last week after a performer who is a Level 1 registered sex offender performed at the venue last week.

Aaron Paul Broxterman, 43, of Missoula, a country musician who plays under the name of Cornbread Wallace played at the market the evening of May 14.

He is currently on probation for a 2023 sentence of sexual abuse of children and received a five-year suspended sentence. Two people protested in person while he played.

Contacted the next day, Broxterman explained his case and said he is allowed to play in such venues and he checked with his probation officer prior to playing the event.

“I make sure I’m allowed to be there (before I go),” Broxterman said.

He said his case stems from a charge in July 2021 where he said he was caught in a sting operation. He was using a dating app and the profile of the woman said she was 25, but after he started talking to her she said she was 13, Broxterman continued the conversation which had sexual elements and was subsequently  charged.

“I never actually had any contact with a minor,” he said.

He said he regrets his actions to this day and is now divorced. 

He never told the market of his past, he said.

“The market did not know I was a sex offender,” Broxterman said.

Broxterman said he regrets his mistake.

“That’s not who I am,” he said. “I am not a sexual predator. I am trying to prove that I am a better person than my past mistakes make me out to be.”

Market Director Melissa Ellis declined to comment for the record on the matter, but issued the following statement from the Market’s board. 

“We want to address our community directly and honestly. Our musical performer last night was booked through our standard community entertainment process. It was brought to our attention that there were circumstances that were not in alignment with our community standards and has been removed from future performances,” the statement said. “The Columbia Falls Community Market has always been, and will continue to be, a welcoming and family-oriented gathering place.”

Broxterman will not be performing at the Market again.

For his part, Broxterman said he continued to perform, even though a protester was holding up a sign next to the stage.

“I was just trying to stay professional and keep my composure and do what I was paid for,” he said.

According to the Montana Sexual Offender Registry, a person identified as Level 1 is at a low risk of repeat offense.

In Columbia Falls, there are 36 registered sex offenders, according to the registry.