Former state trooper gets 3-year deferred sentence
<p>Joel David Sieler, March 28, 2016.</p>
A former state trooper received a three-year deferred sentence on Monday after pleading guilty to felony criminal endangerment.
That charge was reduced from assault with a weapon as part of a plea agreement, while two other charges — tampering with evidence, a felony, and carrying a concealed weapon while under the influence, a misdemeanor — were dismissed.
In court Monday, Sieler expressed appreciation for the plea deal and said that it would enable him to continue to provide for his family in Wyoming.
The charges stem from an incident of Aug. 23, 2015, in a camping area near Lake Koocanusa.
According to an 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.
The men then wrestled on the ground before another camper broke up the fight, according to court documents.
Deputies never found the gun, which Kelly described as a black revolver.
Caleb M. Soptelean can be reached at 293-4124 or by email at csoptelean@thewesternnews.com.