Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Weekly Arrest Report

It’s easy to skim past the numbers, but every statistic represents a call, a response, and a moment when someone had to step in.

Last week, Yellowstone County Sheriff’s deputies responded to 469 calls for service, made 12 arrests, and filed 257 case reports across the county. Here’s a closer look at who was arrested and the charges they face.

Assault With a Weapon

Phillip Sprute, 63
Arrested: February 28
Charge: Assault With a Weapon
Status: In Custody

DUI Arrests and Related Charges

Numerous arrests this week involved driving under the influence and related offenses.

Dylan Gamel, 26
Arrested: February 24
Charge: Driving Under the Influence, 1st Offense
Status: Notice to Appear

Gary Buckalew, 66
Arrested: February 26
Charges: Aggravated DUI (2nd Offense), Failure to Have Headlamps Operating, Fleeing or Eluding a Peace Officer (Misdemeanor), Obstructing a Peace Officer, and Resisting Arrest.
Status: In Custody

Rilee Lacey, 22
Arrested: February 28
Charges: Criminal Child Endangerment (DUI & Child) and Driving Under the Influence; 1st Offense
Status: In Custody

Drug-Related Arrests

Drug possession and related offenses accounted for a significant portion of this week’s arrests.

Eric Swensen, 46
Arrested: February 23
Charges: Criminal Possession of Dangerous Drugs, Criminal Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Displaying License Plates Assigned to Another Vehicle, Driving While Suspended or Revoked, and Operating Without Liability Insurance, 2nd Offense
Status: In Custody

Artie Smells, 38
Arrested: February 26
Charges: Criminal Possession of Dangerous Drugs, Criminal Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Obstructing a Peace Officer, and Operating a Vehicle With License Plates Obstructed
Status: In Custody

Samantha Littlelight, 45
Arrested: February 26
Charges: Criminal Possession of Dangerous Drugs and Criminal Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Status: In Custody

Partner or Family Member Assault

Domestic-related calls are often among the most sensitive that deputies handle.

Shandon Tallwhiteman, 25
Arrested: February 26
Charges: Partner or Family Member Assault; 1st Offense, Obstructing a Peace Officer, and Resisting Arrest
Status: In Custody

Warrant and Court-Related Arrests

Several people were taken into custody on warrants or court-related violations.

Dale Burnite, 50
Arrested: February 25
Charge: Contempt of Court, Misdemeanor
Status: In Custody

Matthew Loves Him, 46
Arrested: February 23
Charge: Failure to Register as a Sexual or Violent Offender
Status: In Custody

Billie Harper, 56
Arrested: February 25
Charge: Contempt of Court, Misdemeanor
Status: In Custody

Michael Higgins, 31
Arrested: February 24
Charge: Warrant Service
Status: In Custody

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Beyond the Numbers

As always, all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. If you live in Yellowstone County, this is your snapshot of last week in your community. We’ll be back next week with another look.

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