Former trooper facing more than 30 years

A former Montana Highway Patrol trooper is facing more than 30 years in prison. Joel David Sieler appeared before Judge James Wheelis in Montana’s 19th Judicial District Court on Monday, March 28, on felony charges of assault with a weapon and tampering with evidence, as well as one misdemeanor charge of carrying a concealed weapon while under the influence. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 20 years for the assault charge, up to 10 years for the evidence tampering and up to six months for the misdemeanor.

The charges stem from an incident of Aug. 23, 2015, in a camping area near Lake Koocanusa, in which Sieler, while intoxicated, allegedly pointed a handgun at another camper, then hid the weapon.

According to the affidavit filed by Lincoln County Attorney Bernard Cassidy, the victim, Michael Kelly, told investigators he and his group were camping near the lake after a concert when Sieler approached their campsite at approximately 2 a.m. Kelly reported Sieler, who was intoxicated at the time, came to the camp looking for his wife and belligerently accusing them of hiding her. Unsatisfied with Kelly’s response, Sieler reportedly pulled a handgun on him.

“Kelly said defendant told him, ‘I know you guys are [expletive deleted] lying to me, [expletive deleted] you,’ and reached into his pocket and grabbed a gun with his right hand,” Cassidy wrote in the affidavit. “Kelly described the firearm as a black revolver. Kelly said defendant did not make any further statements, pointed the revolver to his forehead, and cocked the hammer back. Kelly said he was scared [expletive deleted] and that Genevieve Sieler was not at his camp. Kelly said defendant pressed the end of the barrel of his revolver against his forehead between his eyes on his brow line. Kelly said he ‘thought 100 percent he was gonna shoot me.’ Kelly said defendant made one utterance while he was pointing the firearm at his head, but he could not recall what was said.”

Sieler reportedly then brought the gun down and Kelly said he struck Sieler’s arm. The two then began to wrestle on the ground, while Kelly yelled for someone to call the police. Another camper in the area, identified only by his first name, broke up the fight and helped Sieler to his camper.

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy Robert Salyer responded to the scene, with Reserve Deputy Shane Baker. Salyer reported Sieler told him that he ‘maybe’ had possession of the firearm and that it ‘could be in the duffle bag or truck,’ but deputies were unable to locate the weapon.

The case was investigated by Agent Anthony Poppler with the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and Detective Duane Rhodes of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. 

Montana Department of Justice spokesman John Barnes said Sieler resigned from the Montana Highway Patrol effective Sept. 1, 2015. He entered pleas of not guilty to all three charges and was scheduled to appear in Judge Wheelis’ court April 25 for an omnibus hearing.