Libby man gets deferred sentence for striking another with truck

A Libby man who struck another man with his vehicle in the parking lot of an area business last year was sentenced in Lincoln County District Court on Monday, Jan. 8.

Christopher Phillip Vanhoose, 43, was first charged with two felonies, assault with a weapon and criminal endangerment, as well as one misdemeanor count of criminal mischief. 

Vanhoose initially pleaded not guilty to the alleged incidents on June 26, 2022, in Lincoln County District Court. But on Nov. 13, he entered guilty pleas on the felony criminal endangerment charge as well as the misdemeanor criminal mischief count. 

District Judge Matt Cuffe addressed Vanhoose, saying the adult Probation and Parole office indicated Vanhoose was a low risk to re-offend. Cuffe followed the terms of the plea deal, sentencing Vanhoose to a five-year deferred term. The defendant made no statement.

According to a probable cause statement by Libby Police Sgt. Ron Buckner, officers responded to the parking lot late in the morning of June 10 after a 911 call reported a man in a blue Toyota pickup struck another man. Several callers said a gun was involved.

Vanhoose was detained after he allegedly followed his ex-wife’s vehicle and pulled up next to it on the passenger side. He reportedly got out of his pickup and tried to punch the passenger in the woman’s vehicle. The passenger got out and punched Vanhoose as he returned to his truck.

Vanhoose then allegedly brandished a handgun and struck the man with his truck, pinning his body between both vehicles. The man was injured and both vehicles were damaged.

Vanhoose left the scene and drove around the block before returning to the scene where he was arrested.

The alleged victim was taken by ambulance to Cabinet Peaks Medical Center.

Vanhoose had faced a maximum term of 20 years on the assault with a weapon charge and 10 years for criminal endangerment.