Missing ammo claims spur inquest

POLSON — The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has called in a state investigator to look in to claims that ammunition is missing from its facility, Det. Mike Sargeant said earlier this week.

“It is a priority with the sheriff to get this investigated,” said Sargeant, who originally headed the investigation. The LCSO decided to call the Division of Criminal Investigation under the Department of Justice for the State of Montana to send an investigator that has no ties to the department to eliminate any perceived bias. The investigator was expected to arrive on Monday, Undersheriff Jay Doyle said, and will stay until the investigation is complete.

Sargeant said the department could not release how the LCSO monitors the ammunition supply, but did say it was not like a case in Ravalli County last year, where a former deputy there allegedly stole and sold more than 40,000 rounds of rifle and handgun ammo.

“I’m looking to see how much ammo there was and if there is any missing,” Sargeant said.

Allegations came to light publicly on a Web site claiming, among other things, that ammunition is unaccounted for at the sheriff’s office. The site, run by “Concerned Citizens of Lake County,” is advocating against sheriff candidate Jay Doyle.

One allegation states that approximately 10,000 rounds of ammunition are missing from the department’s cache.

On the Web site, the creators ask: “Why are there thousands of rounds of ammunition missing and unaccounted for from the Sheriff’s ammo locker? We as taxpayers buy this ammunition. Ask the Sheriff where this ammo is, and why it is missing! Ask the Sheriff if there has been an investigation into this missing ammunition, and if not, why? Are we looking at another Ravalli County missing ammunition problem? Ask your Sheriff!”

Sargeant said the claims by the Web site aren’t the first time he’s heard allegations of missing ammo, but said he will follow up with anyone who may have insight into the matter.

“I will visit with any and all people that may have information,” Sargeant said.

Sargeant worries the Web site is politically motivated, but said regardless, an investigation is underway.

“Everybody wants some answers and I want to keep the integrity of this investigation as pure as possible,” he said.

If someone is found to have been stealing, Sargeant said, the issue will turn into a criminal matter, and could result in administrative repercussions.

“If it’s proved this is true, there’s the possibility of criminal charges being filed,” Sargeant said. “Charges would be filed with the state attorney’s office and they would review as to whether they will charge and with what.”

Doyle feels confident the department will be cleared once the investigator has done the due diligence.

“I’m absolutely certain when the investigation is complete that there was no wrongdoing on the part of the sheriff’s office,” he said. “Right now, they’re only hearing one side.”