Garberg earns suspended sentence

District Judge Matthew Cuffe handed down a suspended, five-year sentence to a Great Falls man who led local law enforcement on a high-speed chase through Libby last year.

Authorities originally charged Jason Williams Garberg, 44, with one count of felony partner or family member assault, third or subsequent offense, and multiple counts of felony criminal endangerment. After striking a plea deal in January, prosecutors agreed to drop all but one count of felony criminal endangerment.

Garberg hit speeds of more than 90 miles per hour while fleeing from Libby police officers March 19 following an argument with his then-girlfriend, court documents said.

The search for Garberg began about 3:43 p.m. after the victim reported an assault to a Montana Highway Patrol trooper in a parking lot in Libby. The victim told law enforcement that the couple had begun arguing during lunch, court documents said. He left and she later found him at their apartment, where he was packing his belongings.

Garberg allegedly grew angrier, verbally abusing the victim and spitting in her face. She told authorities that she fled, fearing the disagreement would turn physical.

Sgt. Chris Pape and officer Jonathan Graham of the Libby Police Department took down a description of Garberg’s vehicle and shared it with area law enforcement.

In an affidavit, Graham recalled heading with the victim to the couple’s apartment. While investigating the scene, he spotted a vehicle matching the description of Garberg’s gold-colored SUV.

Graham went out and found Garberg kneeling in front of the vehicle, crying and shouting that he just wanted his dog back. Graham ordered Garberg to approach him, but the other man hopped in his vehicle and drove off instead.

Pape took over the pursuit while Graham got into his patrol vehicle. He, too, joined the chase, hearing Pape report Garberg exceeding 90 miles per hour while passing a gas station south of town. As they approached Whiskey Hill, Garberg hit 100 miles per hour, according to court documents.

Deputy Brent Faulkner was ahead of the chase and offered to put down stop sticks, but Garberg blew past him, still going above 100 miles per hour.

Garberg eventually abandoned his car some 55 miles from Libby, according to Graham’s affidavit. Pape and Graham briefly joined deputies and Montana Highway Patrol troopers in searching for Garberg on foot. Shortly after they were recalled to Libby, Graham recalled hearing over the radio that searchers had found Garberg.

During his sentencing hearing last week, Garberg offered contrition for his actions.

“I want to apologize to you,” Garberg told Cuffe, “the town of Libby and Lincoln County for my actions that day.”

Cuffe described his sentence as appropriate. Garberg, the judge noted, had cooperated with the court and fulfilled his obligations.

Still, the suspended sentence means Garberg will spend the next five years under the watch of the state Department of Corrections, Cuffe said.

“This provides for long term supervision, because I don’t take the charges lightly,” he told Garberg. “I think it’s an appropriate and just punishment.”