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Attorney General Subdues Unruly Man After Energy Conference

Fox says he intervened after the suspect tried to punch Sen. Steve Daines' chief of staff

By Dillon Tabish

BILLINGS — Police in Billings got help in handling a man who was throwing punches at bystanders from Montana Attorney General Tim Fox, who held the man down until officers arrived.

Capt. Kevin Iffland says the man became unruly Tuesday night at a Billings hotel, where the Montana Energy Conference was being held.

Fox says he intervened after the suspect tried to punch Sen. Steve Daines’ chief of staff, Jason Thielman, but then he got hit in the face as he tried to calm the man down.

The 58-year-old attorney general was eventually able to subdue the man. Police arrived minutes later.

Fox says he declined to press charges against the suspect.

Department of Justice communications director John Barnes tells The Billings Gazette that the suspect called Fox on Thursday to apologize.