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How four different lawyers could claim that they're the true Roosevelt County Attorney – Daily Montanan

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How four different lawyers could claim that they're the true Roosevelt County Attorney – Daily Montanan


Four attorneys believe they may be the rightful Roosevelt County Attorney.

And it may be that only the 2024 election will answer the question of who is actually the county attorney.

It could be the person who won the last election for the office, lost the job when a judge agreed that he didn’t meet the qualifications of Montana law, and is now suing the county for back pay.

Or it could be the attorney who has been handling most of the litigation full time for the eastern Montana county, who said he’s filing paperwork to run in the 2024 election.

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Or it could be the attorney from Fergus County who was hired by the commissioners and has said she’ll start on Feb. 20.

Or it could be the interim county attorney who has had a number disputes with the county commissioners, is being accused of botching a murder trial when she was the county attorney in Richland County, and is currently working in Utah.

The case of who is the Roosevelt County attorney has been at the heart of three court cases, and is spider’s web of accusations, case law and politics.

It started with a newspaper lawsuit

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The turnover in the Roosevelt County Attorney’s Office began when Northern Plains Independent Publisher Darla Downs filed a lawsuit challenging former Roosevelt County Attorney Frank Piocos’ eligibility for the post.

Piocos had previously served as a deputy county attorney and was elected to the county attorney position after then-county attorney Austin Knudsen successfully ran for Montana Attorney General.

Downs proved to a district court judge that Piocos didn’t maintain a residence in the county, a requirement of the position by state statute, and that because he didn’t meet the eligibility requirements, his election should be overturned.

The case wound its way to the Montana Supreme Court, which agreed with district court Judge Katherine Bidegaray that Piocos was ineligible.

That decision left Roosevelt County with a gaping hole in its legal department, and the three county commissioners looked for different options, eventually settling on former Richland County Attorney and Roosevelt County native Janet Christoffersen.

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Meanwhile, Piocos is suing the county for back pay and attorney’s fees, arguing that he should be reinstated, saying that neither the state’s Supreme Court, nor the original decision from Bidegaray’s nor Montana law, provides a way to remove a person from office.

Interim county attorney

The commissioners appointed Christoffersen. She is currently at the center of an appeals case at the Montana Supreme Court that accuses her of withholding evidence that may have exonerated a person convicted of homicide, although that case doesn’t appear to have factored into any of the decisions by the Roosevelt County Commissioners.

But just several months into her tenure, the commissioners attempted to replace Christoffersen, saying that they had originally agreed to hire her for a four-month interim contract — to serve until they found someone more permanent. Christoffersen said that four months was an arbitrary period the commissioners threw out, giving her time to decide if the position was right.

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She was the Richland County Attorney from 2018 to 2022, when she decided not to run for re-election. She had previously served as a deputy county attorney there and was in private practice for 10 years. Prior to that, she had run for a state district court judge against Bidegaray. Previous reporting by the Sidney Herald said she grew up on a ranch near Froid.

However, when the county commissioners attempted to remove and replace Christoffersen after that four-month interim, she filed a lawsuit against Roosevelt County, challenging whether the commissioners had the right to remove her.

In a lawsuit that played out in September and October, Roosevelt County District Court Judge Michael Moses said that state law allows the county commissioners to appoint a county attorney if one is removed or leaves office, but it only allows them to appoint an attorney who would serve until the next election, not a series of interim attorneys. That effectively handed the position back to Christoffersen, who continued doing work for the county.

However, during the same time, she also accepted a job as a deputy county attorney in Utah, according to court filings, raising the ire of the county commissioners, as well as questions as to whether she was fulfilling her responsibilities.

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County commissioners make changes

The Roosevelt County Commissioners then decided to keep her position, in line with Moses’ ruling, but made structural changes. They made the county attorney a part-time position and changed the deputy county attorney’s role from part-time to full-time. Currently, Thomas Bleicher is the deputy county attorney, working full-time. Roosevelt County Commissioners also bumped the deputy county attorney pay to be 85% of the county attorney’s $119,215 salary.

Christoffersen’s legal battle against Roosevelt County continues, with her saying in court filings that commissioners have created a hostile work environment and retaliation.

In his ruling granting a preliminary injunction against the Roosevelt County Commissioners, Moses said that Christoffersen was qualified to be appointed as county attorney, and that she holds the office until either a vacancy or the next election. He said that state law did not allow the commissioners the power to remove a qualified attorney whom they chose to appoint.

Yet earlier this month, the Roosevelt County Commissioners decided to hire a full-time county attorney and selected Theresa Diekhans of Fergus County.

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Deputy County Attorney Bleicher voiced concerns about that process, saying that he was cut off from asking more questions during the interview process with Diekhans, according to reporting from the Northern Plains Independent. Meanwhile, Christoffersen objected, saying that proper public notice wasn’t given for the interviews, and said that she was contemplating running for county attorney during the upcoming election in 2024.

Bleicher also confirmed that he had picked up paperwork so that he could run for the position as well.

At the meeting, according to the reports from the Northern Plains Independent, Roosevelt County Commissioner Gary Macdonald said, “We went from the frying pan to the fire.”



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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 Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life results for Feb. 12, 2025

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The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Feb. 12, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Feb. 12 drawing

21-32-36-45-49, Powerball: 18, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Feb. 12 drawing

08-29-34-36-42, Lucky Ball: 11

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Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from Feb. 12 drawing

06-16-23-27-30, Star Ball: 01, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Feb. 12 drawing

06-07-11-30, Bonus: 05

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Montana Cash numbers from Feb. 12 drawing

02-14-31-33-37

Check Montana Cash 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.

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

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

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You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

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 Lottery Mega Millions, Lucky For Life results for Feb. 11, 2025

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The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Feb. 11, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Feb. 11 drawing

07-30-39-41-70, Mega Ball: 13, Megaplier: 3

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Feb. 11 drawing

08-25-28-41-46, Lucky Ball: 05

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Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Feb. 11 drawing

17-22-26-31, Bonus: 06

Check Big Sky Bonus 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.

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

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

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Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

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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