The former editor of a weekly newspaper in Polson who was arrested at the scene of a car crash has pleaded no contest to charges of disorderly conduct, the Associated Press reports.
The Lake County Leader’s Vince Lovato was photographing a car crash on Oct. 1 when he was told by a Montana Highway Patrolman to step away from the scene. Lovato did not comply and, according to court records, began to yell obscenities. He was arrested and charged with obstructing a peace officer, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, all misdemeanors.
On Monday, Lovato pleaded no contest to disorderly conduct and paid a $100 fine. He also had to pay $500 in court fees. The charges of obstructing a peace officer and resisting arrest were dropped.
Lovato has since stepped down as editor and is now a reporter for the newspaper.
The Lake County Leader is owned by Hagadone Montana Publishing LLC, which also owns the Daily Inter Lake.