Brossman given suspended sentence

Ricky Allen Brossman Junior, 37, of Libby, will serve two suspended six-month sentences after assaulting a man in May.

Authorities initially charged Brossman with assault, obstruction of a peace officer and intimidation. The latter charge was dropped after Brossman reached a plea agreement with prosecutors.

On May 17, Deputy John Hyslop of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office met with the assault victim at Cabinet Peaks Medical Center where he sought treatment for dog bites, court documents said. The victim told Hyslop that he suffered the bite after a confrontation between Brossman, himself and a farrier.

The victim told Hyslop that Brossman was living on another man’s property on Matilus Drive. The victim also had permission from the property owner to care for horses on the land, he told authorities. Despite this, according to court documents, Brossman had demanded that the victim stay off the property.

On the day of the incident, the victim reported arriving at the property just after Brossman met with a farrier, who was there to trim the horses’ hooves. As the victim appraised the situation, Brossman came around he corner and threw a punch, according to court documents.

The two men tussled, the fight going back and forth, court documents said, until the victim subdued Brossman. That’s when a dog entered the fray. According to the farrier, interviewed later by Hyslop, the animal bit the victim, “chewing the hell out of him.”

The farrier told Hyslop that Brossman admitted feuding with the victim. When the victim arrived, Brossman threatened him with physical violence and said he would shoot him, according to the farrier’s account.

When Hyslop arrived at the property later that day, he found it gated. Brossman approached, according to the deputy’s account, and inquired about his presence. When asked about the fight, Brossman grew loud and angry, telling Hyslop that the victim had assaulted him.

Hyslop said he moved to detain Brossman, but the other man became “verbally abusive” and “passively resistant,” court document said. Hyslop eventually arrested Brossman with the help of officer Cody Dewitt of the Libby police department.

As per the plea agreement, Brossman received two consecutive suspended sentences for the misdemeanor charges, meaning he will remain on probation for a year. He also was fined for the two offenses.

Defense attorney Stephen Dalby asked that Brossman be allowed to keep his firearms because he depends on hunting to help feed his family. Although County Attorney Marcia Boris argued against it, Lincoln County District Judge Matthew Cuffe gave Brossman’s parole officer final say.