Ex-deputy pleads guilty to 2 crimes in Chouteau

The Daily Inter Lake and The Associated Press

A former Chouteau County Sheriff's deputy who wanted to work for Flathead County has pleaded guilty to two crimes in Fort Benton.

Rick Rossmiller, 37, is convicted now of misdemeanor theft and official misconduct in Chouteau County, where he stole a hot tub from a neighbor and fencing from a school. He faces four felony charges in Flathead County, also.

Rossmiller entered a plea agreement in Chouteau County that would impose a 10-year sentence, with all but 10 days suspended. Because of jail time he's already served, he wouldn't face any more time in jail. District Judge David Rice, though, does not have to abide by the sentencing recommendation.

Rossmiller is awaiting trial on charges of burglary, felony criminal mischief, felony endangerment and stalking in Flathead County.

He was arrested in Kalispell by the county SWAT team a year ago. He was just about to begin work as a sheriff's deputy, when authorities became concerned about his welfare when they told him he was under investigation for the Chouteau County crimes.

He was arrested again recently when a woman alleged that Rossmiller broke into her home and tinkered with a breaker box, damaged her car, and tried to persuade her to not cooperate with the investigation in Chouteau County, according to sheriff's detective Paul Lebert.