Libby man headed to Deer Lodge on sex assault conviction

A Libby man who pleaded guilty to felony sexual assault against a victim under the age of 16 was sentenced to serve time in the Montana State Prison.

Robert William Emerick, 34, formerly of Anaconda, gave his plea Feb. 26 in Lincoln County District Court.

District Judge Matt Cuffe stuck with the terms of the plea deal between public defender Ben Kolter and County Attorney Marcia Boris. Emerick must serve 10 years, with six suspended. Emerick, who faced a maximum sentence of 100 years, remains in the Lincoln County Detention Center on $100,000 bail.

Emerick must also complete two phases of sex offender treatment before he is released from custody.  He was designated a Tier 1 sex offender, which means there is a low likelihood to reoffend. 

Emerick did not make a statement.

The charge dated to incidents in the summer of 2023. 

According to the charging document filed by Boris, sheriff’s Deputy Cody DeWitt received a report of an alleged sexual assault by a man against a 14-year-old girl. The report said the man had allegedly touched the girl inappropriately for a period of time between July 1, 2023, and July 31, 2023.

County Det. Duane Rhodes interviewed the girl. She reported to her father that the man, identified as Emerick, has recently come into her room in the morning while she slept.

He allegedly crawled into bed with her and touched her breasts under her bra. He then pushed her underwear to side and performed oral sex, according to the court document.