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South Florida truck driver convicted of trying to coerce minor for sex in Montana

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South Florida truck driver convicted of trying to coerce minor for sex in Montana


MISSOULA, Mont. – A federal jury convicted a South Florida truck driver Wednesday of trying to coerce a minor for sex while passing through Montana in 2023.

Stevenson Metelus, 36, of Margate, now faces 10 years to life in prison after being found guilty of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor after a three-day trial in Missoula, Montana federal court.

According to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice, an undercover FBI special agent posed as a girl on prostitution site MegaPersonals, posting an advertisement for prostitution services in Missoula.

They said Metelus responded to the ad on Nov. 16, 2023 and negotiated a price and sex acts to engage in with her, despite believing that she was a minor.

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Authorities said Metelus asked the girl to meet him in his truck, but the agent posing as the girl said she had a room at a hotel and would leave the door open for him, then offered to meet him at a nearby gas station “when he expressed concern about the plan.”

“The undercover FBI agent had confidential source call Metelus and, acting as (the girl), spoke briefly with him,” the DOJ news release states “The confidential source again told Metelus that she was a minor. The parties then confirmed their plans to meet. Shortly thereafter, Metelus texted (the girl) that he had arrived at the gas station, where law enforcement arrested him.”

Authorities said Metelus later admitted he intended to meet the girl for commercial sex.

Aside from a long prison term, Metelus faces the possibility of a $250,000 fine and at least five years to a lifetime of supervised release, according to the DOJ.

Copyright 2025 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved.

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Montana Folk Festival brings heat along with music, food, and art

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Montana Folk Festival brings heat along with music, food, and art


BUTTE — Butte’s annual Montana Folk Festival is drawing crowds to six stages set up across Uptown Butte, bringing art, food and music — along with some high temperatures.

WATCH: Heat can’t stop the Montana Folk Festival in Butte

Montana Folk Festival brings heat along with music, food, and art

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Reggae artist Prezident Brown and his band iSound are among the performers taking the heat in stride. Brown said the dry mountain climate is nothing compared to what he’s used to back home.

“I can honestly say hundred degrees in Jamaica is a whole different story.”

When asked how he’s staying cool, Brown kept it simple.

“Yeah! I just do what I do. I drink water…orange juice!”

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The Legendary Ingramettes, a gospel group from Virginia, are also finding Butte’s climate agreeable.

“We have a lot of humidity, and Butte does not. So, I’m enjoying the heat! The dry air!!”

MTN NEWS

The Montana Folk Festival is in full swing in Uptown Butte! 🎶 Performers, vendors and barefoot festival-goers are all embracing the heat.

With temperatures peaking around 90 degrees, food vendors are feeling the warmth more directly. Bozeman-based vendor Vickie Backus is working over a hot grill, serving pierogies, a food originating in Eastern Europe.

I ask her how she is keeping cool.

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“You know? I’m not. I’m drinking lots of water. I have sunscreen on and I’m just leaning into it.”

Festival-goers wandering between the six stages are largely dressed for the heat — big hats, long sleeves, and sunglasses. At least one person is going barefoot —first-time festival attendee Sean Villere from Missoula says the pavement doesn’t phase him.

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MTN NEWS

Villere said he hasn’t worn shoes in a couple of years, including through two winters, and the callouses he’s built up protect his feet from the hot pavement.

“It’s not that hot yet. I think it might get hotter, but it’s okay right now.”

Villere said he hasn’t worn shoes in a couple of years, including through two winters, and the callouses he’s built up protect his feet from the hot pavement.

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Over the years, extreme weather has impacted festival attendance, but this year most people seem comfortable with the conditions.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.





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Montana Lottery Mega Millions, Big Sky Bonus results for July 10, 2026

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The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at July 10, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from July 10 drawing

02-39-44-46-56, Mega Ball: 23

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from July 10 drawing

10-13-23-30, Bonus: 02

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from July 10 drawing

14-42-46-47-57, Bonus: 05

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

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When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
  • Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
  • Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
  • Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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Montana DEQ says Big Hole River impaired by low oxygen, excess nutrients

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Montana DEQ says Big Hole River impaired by low oxygen, excess nutrients


Low oxygen levels and excess nutrients led the Montana Department of Environmental Quality to officially determine that the Big Hole River is impaired, state officials said.

The conditions are affecting aquatic life and recreation along parts of the river. Officials said the nutrients can fuel algae and plant growth, especially during hot, low-water conditions.

The Big Hole has been the focus of water quality restoration efforts for decades, with more than $1.3 million in federal Clean Water Act funding invested since 1988.

The impairment will be included in DEQ’s next water quality report. Restoration work and funding for the watershed will continue.

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