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Kalispell Man Pleads Guilty in Sex Sting Case Brett Anthony Cislo was one of a half-dozen men arrested following a 2014 sex sting
BY JUSTIN FRANZ OF THE BEACON
A Kalispell man has admitted that he sought to have sex with an underage girl in August 2014.
Brett Anthony Cislo, 49, pleaded guilty to felony criminal endangerment on March 30 in Flathead County Dis- trict Court. Cislo was one of a half-dozen local men who were arrested following a sex sting by the Montana Internet Crimes Against 2014 Children Task Force.
According to court documents, an ICAC agent advertised online that there was a young girl available for sex with an older man. On Aug. 18, 2014, Cislo responded to the post and wrote that he would like to have intercourse with a 15-year-old girl.
BRIEFS
Kalispell Man Sentenced for Possessing Child Porn, Drugs
A Kalispell man has been given a sus- pended sentence to the Montana State Prison for possessing drugs and child pornography.
David Trent was sentenced on March 31 in Flathead County District Court.
According to court documents, a Flathead County Sheri ’s O ce deputy received a tip in July 2014 from Microsoft that an online storage account used by someone in the Kalispell area had child pornography on it. Under the software company’s user agreement, Microsoft is able to view and remove any material at its discretion. Microsoft removed the o ending images from the account.
Law enforcement traced the account to Sheila Nooner and David Trent, who lived in a basement on Fox Hill Drive. Law enforcement talked to Nooner who said her husband, Trent, was very secre- tive when he was online. Deputies con- fronted Trent who then admitted to viewing pornographic images of young girls, adding, “I know it was wrong.”
Deputies obtained a search warrant to look through the house the couple shared and during their search discov- ered a metal case with meth and heroine inside. Nooner and Trent told authorities the drugs belonged to them.
Trent was charged with one count of sexual abuse of children and two counts of criminal possession of dangerous drugs in May 2015.Nooner was charged with two counts of criminal possession of dangerous drugs. Nooner later pleaded guilty to one count of criminal posses- sion and was given a three-year deferred sentence.
In January, Trent took a plea deal in which he pleaded guilty to sexual abuse of
He later texted the person arrang- ing the meeting, who was really a law enforcement o cer, and asked “How many roses for (a) half hour.” The under- cover detective determined that meant money and told Cislo that it would cost $150 for 30 minutes.
Arrangements were then made for Cislo to meet the girl at a hotel in Kalis- pell. Cislo showed up at the hotel but later left, texting the person arranging the meeting that “God I’m scared for some reason.”
The following day, Cislo responded to a second ad promising sex with a 14-year- old girl. Arrangements were made for Cislo to come to a house in Flathead County. Cislo came to the house and drove by it slowly multiple times before
children and one count of criminal pos- session. On March 31, Trent was given a 10-year suspended sentence to the Mon- tana State Prison for sexual abuse of chil- dren and a ve-year suspended sentence for criminal possession to run consecu- tively. Trent must register as a level one sex o ender and undergo sexual o ender treatment. He also must pay a $1,000 ne.
Marion Man Accused of Spraying Mother in the Face with Bear Repellent
A Marion man has been charged with assault with a weapon after allegedly spraying his mom in the face with bear repellent.
Joshua James Gomez pleaded not guilty to the felony charge in Flathead County District Court on March 31. According to court documents, the Flat- head County Sheri ’s O ce received a report of a disturbance on Marion Pines Drive on March 4. Upon arrival, author- ities spoke with a woman who said she was temporarily blinded after her son emptied a can of bear spray at her face. She also complained of an intense burn- ing sensation in her eyes and was having trouble breathing.
A deputy placed Gomez in the back of his patrol car where the man reportedly admitted to spraying his mom in the face with the repellent.
If convicted, Gomez could face up to 20 years in prison and a $50,000 ne. He is set to go to trial in May.
ultimately leaving and going home.
On Aug. 21, an ICAC agent spoke with Cislo and confronted him about the mes- sages he sent. Cislo then admitted that he had traveled to the hotel and house to have sex with an underage girl.Cislo was charged with two counts of felony sex- ual abuse of children in April 2015. He
pleaded not guilty soon after.
In March, Cislo took a deal in which
he would plead guilty to felony criminal endangerment and in return the state would drop the sexual abuse charges. At Cislo’s sentencing on May 26, prosecutors will recommend a $1,000 ne and a three- year di ered imposition of sentence.
jfranz@ atheadbeacon.com
New Judge to be Assigned in Case Against Man Shot by Kalispell Police
The attorney representing the man accused of threatening two Kalispell police o cers led a motion along with county prosecutors seeking a substitute judge for the case.
On March 16, Defense Attorney Peter Leander led a motion for a substitute judge in the case of Ryan Pengelly, the Kalispell man who was shot by two police o cers inside his own home in January. Pengelly has been charged with felony assault on an o ce for allegedly pointing a ri e at the two o cers.
Eight days after Leander’s motion, Judge Heidi Ulbricht was replaced with Judge David M. Ortley. But two days after the substitution, Deputy County Attor- ney Stacy Boman led her own motion to substitute Ortley. As of March 31, a new judge had not been assigned to the case.
Montana Code Annotated allows for plainti s and defendants to each le at least one motion for a substitute judge.
Pengelly is expected to stand trial later this year.
Sheri ’s O ce Investigating Death of Evergreen Toddler
The Flathead County Sheri ’s O ce is investigating the death of a 2-year-old girl in Evergreen.
According to Sheri Chuck Curry, Zaila Haynes was pronounced dead at Kalispell Regional Medical Center on Tuesday morning. The girl’s parents, who have not been identi ed, brought the toddler to the hospital, where attempts to revive her were unsuccessful.
The child’s body has been taken to the Montana State Crime Lab in Missoula for
an autopsy.
news@ atheadbeacon.com
APRIL 6, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM
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