Montana

80-Year-Old Montana Man Gets Two Months In Jail For Killing Grizzly, Evidence Tampering

Published

2 years ago

June 12, 2024

80-Year-Old Montana Man Gets Two Months In Jail For Killing Grizzly, Evidence Tampering

A federal judge Tuesday sentenced an 80-year-old man to two months in jail for covering up the shooting of a grizzly bear on his property four years ago.

Othel Lee Pearson, 80, of Troy, Montana, also was ordered to pay a $10,000 fine in his federal case of failing to report the taking of a grizzly bear and evidence tampering.

Pearson pleaded guilty to both charges in February. His defense attorney has argued that he acted in self-defense when shooting the bear, but that he takes responsibility for trying to hide the act.

That’s Not Ham

The investigation started Nov. 23, 2020, when a warden with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) found a dead grizzly sow dumped on Pipe Creek Road south of Yaak, Montana. The carcass appeared to have been killed elsewhere.

The bear was partially skinned, missing two quarters and paws, says an evidentiary affidavit by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agent Mona Iannelli.

The bear had been microchipped and had a GPS collar, but the collar was gone. The bear’s two ear tags and lip tattoo had been cut from its carcass.

Iannelli sent the bear to the FWP lab for a necropsy.

Data from the bear’s GPS collar taken before it was killed showed the bear died at about 8:55 p.m. on Pearson’s property, 40 yards from his house.

Iannelli checked the state and federal wildlife agencies Dec. 14, 2020, and no one had reported killing the grizzly, says the affidavit.

Bearing a warrant, she and other agents searched Pearson’s home two days later and found a bag of meat in Pearson’s freezer labelled “ham,” which analysts later determined belonged to the grizzly bear.

Two years later, a hiker reportedly found a garbage bag containing the grizzly bear’s claws and ear tag on public land adjacent to Pearson’s property, the affidavit says.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for Montana charged Pearson more than three years after the crime on Jan. 22, 2024.

Tougher Than Recommended

The judgment U.S. District Court Judge Donald W. Mollby, of Montana, handed down Tuesday was stiffer than the joint recommendation the defense and prosecution had agreed on prior.

Pearson’s attorney Sarah Lockwood and Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Tanner had both asked for a sentence of three years’ probation and $8,000 in fines.

Instead, Mollby sentenced Pearson to two months’ incarceration followed by three years’ probation, with $10,000 in fines.

At a maximum, Pearson could have faced 20 years and six months in prison for the two crimes.

‘Devoted Family Man’

In her sentencing memorandum urging the lesser sentence, Lockwood touted Pearson as an exemplary man.

These are his first criminal convictions. He excelled in academics and high school sports, earning a college scholarship to play football. He went on to coach youth sports and become a college professor, Lockwood wrote.

“Othel is most proud to be a devoted family man who has raised four successful children with his beloved wife of 62 years,” she added. “Othel is beloved by his family and friends, and he shows them all extraordinary kindness.”

Pearson and his wife “dropped everything” to help care for their grandson when their daughter was diagnosed with cancer. They help with their other grandchildren and take them on outdoor adventures, the memorandum says.

Lockwood told the court that Pearson once saved his wife from a house fire that destroyed their off-grid cabin in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

‘No Other Choice’

Pearson had “no other choice” than to kill the apex predator on his land to defend his family, says the memorandum, adding that his only real crimes were the actions he took to cover up the killing, but that he’s not accustomed to turning to the government for help with “things that happen on his private property.”

He’s moved into downtown Troy, Montana, so that he doesn’t have to face such a situation again.

“He no longer has to carry a weapon to safely use the outhouse at night, or turn off the generator alone as he crunches through the snow trying to tune in for any threats with just one working ear,” Lockwood wrote.

Now barred from owning firearms as a convicted felon, he’s taken to gardening and long walks with his wife, she added.

That Works, Says Prosecutor

Tanner had agreed with Lockwood that Pearson should be given probation.

Tanner noted Pearson’s move into town, his advanced age and the fact that he’s reportedly sold all his guns.

The government chose to charge Pearson for not reporting the taking of a grizzly bear, rather than for unlawful taking of a grizzly bear, because it’s hard to prove a defendant didn’t act in self-defense when shooting a grizzly bear, says Tanner’s sentencing memorandum.

“To be sure, the defendant’s killing of the grizzly bear and his subsequent efforts to conceal the killing are serious offenses, especially considering the sensitivity of the Cabinet-Yaak grizzly bear population,” wrote the prosecutor. But Pearson showed “clear contrition” over his efforts to hide the killing.

Clair McFarland can be reached at clair@cowboystatedaily.com.

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Montana

Montana GOP won’t endorse in federal races this cycle • Daily Montanan

Published

5 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Montana GOP won’t endorse in federal races this cycle • Daily Montanan

Although newly minted GOP candidates for the U.S. House and U.S. Senate have garnered heavyweight endorsements, the Montana Republican Party said Thursday it won’t throw its support behind any candidates for federal office in the primary.

“The Montana Republican Party (MTGOP) stands behind its deep bench of qualified candidates seeking to represent Montanans and supports a competitive primary process to let voters pick their preferred candidates,” the Montana GOP said in a news release Thursday.

Monday, U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke announced he was retiring due to health concerns once his term ends, and he immediately tapped talk-show host Aaron Flint as his preferred successor in Congress.

Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen and Flathead County Republican Central Committee Chairperson Al Olszewski also filed for the U.S. House as Republicans, as did Ray Curtis of Bonner.

Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Steve Daines withdrew, and in a statement the same night, announced an endorsement of former U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme, who had filed the same day.

In the Senate, Lee Calhoun and Charles Walking Child also filed to run in the Republican primary.

Endorsements for Flint and Alme cascaded. U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed both candidates, and U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy and Gov. Greg Gianforte threw their weight behind Flint and Alme.

Late on Wednesday, the Montana GOP did not immediately have comment on the news Daines, Montana’s senior U.S. senator, had resigned, but Thursday, the party thanked Zinke and Daines for their service.

A news release said the party would not endorse any candidates in the federal primary and would leave the job in the hands of voters.

“The party hopes every candidate will make their case to the public, contrasting their Republican policies and principles with those of Democrats — as well as phony ‘Independents,’” the news release said.

Former University of Montana President Seth Bodnar announced a run for the U.S. Senate as an independent this week.

A tension within the Republican party has emerged in recent years between hardline conservatives and more moderate members, and some legislative primaries illustrate the split.

This week, the state GOP said the number of primaries for state legislative seats shows a high interest from Montanans who want to serve the state and pass Republican policy, and the MTGOP “is glad to see so many Republicans being called to public service.”

In a brief call, MTGOP spokesperson Ethan Holmes said the party had not ruled out endorsements in legislative primaries.

In the news release, however, the MTGOP offered its view of the larger political debate.

“Montana voters know that beyond the primaries, there is a clear choice between Republican and Democratic governance; one path leads to lower taxes, less crime and stronger families, and the other leads to higher taxes, more crime, and social decay,” MTGOP Chairperson Art Wittich said in a statement.

The news release also said the state GOP is working “tirelessly to deliver a Bright Red Future” at both the state and federal level and looks forward to help candidates whom voters select win in November.

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Montana

Montana Lottery Powerball, Lotto America results for March 4, 2026

Published

17 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

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

Here’s a look at March 4, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from March 4 drawing

07-14-42-47-56, Powerball: 06, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from March 4 drawing

33-38-39-47-51, Star Ball: 07, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from March 4 drawing

01-07-08-27, Bonus: 12

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from March 4 drawing

05-10-26-53-59, Powerball: 06

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Montana Cash numbers from March 4 drawing

03-04-06-08-10

Check Montana Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 4 drawing

12-13-36-39-58, Bonus: 03

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

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

University of Montana president job draws high interest • Daily Montanan

Published

1 day ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

University of Montana president job draws high interest • Daily Montanan

The search for a new University of Montana president has drawn more than 60 applicants, according to a spokesperson for the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education.

“We do not have an exact count at this time, as several applications are still being completed and additional submissions are expected,” said spokesperson and Deputy Commissioner Galen Hollenbaugh in an email earlier this week.

In January, then-UM-President Seth Bodnar announced his resignation to pursue other public service. Wednesday, the final day of filing, he announced he was running as an independent for the U.S. Senate to try to unseat Republican incumbent Steve Daines.

Commissioner of Higher Education Clayton Christian earlier said that with the advice of AGB Search, a firm that’s helped the Montana University System conduct other executive searches, he would undertake an expedited process to appoint a new president.

Christian has been providing brief updates on a website dedicated to the search. Last week, he said he and AGB Search are reviewing applications, and the pool of candidates was “strong and diverse.”

The commissioner also announced he was convening a small working group to assist in the search, members who “represent a variety of perspectives to assist in vetting and narrowing this field of exceptional candidates.”

In an email this week, Hollenbaugh identified the members of the working group who are assisting Christian with application review as: