Sheriff's deputy faces assault charge

A Lake County Sheriff's deputy is facing a partner or family member assault charge in Dillon City Court, a misdemeanor, although his attorney filed a motion to have the charge dismissed on Wednesday.

Deputy Cory Anderson was arrested on Saturday, Sept. 17, and pled not guilty to the charge before being released on his own recognizance. Anderson is on administrative leave from the Sheriff's office pending the outcome of the situation.

Results of the motion filed by Anderson's attorney, Dillon attorney J.B Anderson (no relation), were not available by press time.

"A dismissal would be in the interests of justice in this case," Anderson, the attorney, said.

Sheriff Bill Barron said he is staying out of the investigation until the Dillon city attorney's office has completed their investigation, at which point Barron will conduct an administrative investigation for the Sheriff's office.

"Cory notified us that he had been charged. At that point in time, I put him on administrative leave pending outcome of the charges," Barron said. "I've told him I want to stay completely out of it until they are done."

Barron said results of the case, along with his own administrative investigation, will determine Anderson's fate as a deputy.

"Obviously, if he were found guilty, then he would lose his job, but we will make a determination only after he's had a chance to have his case presented," Barron said.

Anderson works with one of the county's K-9 units responsible for conducting drug searches, in addition to regular deputy duties, and has worked for Barron for many years, going back to when he was a deputy in Glacier County and Barron was an undersheriff. Anderson is also a member of the county's special response team.

Barron spoke highly of Anderson, noting that Anderson had once dated his daughter, but emphasized that the Lake County Sheriff's office will have no part in the investigation being conducted in Dillon to avoid the appearance of any conflict of interest.

"In fairness to everyone, I don't think I should be involved," Barron said.

Anderson declined to comment on the advice of his attorney.