Melvin arraigned in district court
POLSON — Former Polson city building inspector Ron Melvin was arraigned in district court last Wednesday in Lake County District Court after threatening to kill city employees.
Melvin was terminated from his job on May 14, and according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office reports, the next day he left a threatening phone message with his former employer’s voicemail.
According to the court affidavit, Melvin threatened to kill city manager Todd Crossett unless he resigned by the end of the week. He also threatened to kill city attorney James Raymond and another staff member. That same day, Lake County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Melvin at his home on the felony charge of threats and other improper influence in official and political matters. He now faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in jail and a fine of $50,000.
Earlier this month, Melvin entered a guilty plea to amended charges of a second offense DUI in Jefferson County Justice Court on May 1 after pleading not guilty to a third offense DUI on April 5.
On April 4, at approximately 2:50 p.m., Montana Highway Patrol trooper Ken Klapan responded to a report of a white 2007 Chevy Silverado Polson city truck with two flat tires on the side of the road, facing the wrong direction on Interstate 90 at milepost 236. According to the citation, Melvin registered a blood-alcohol level of .265, over three times the legal limit.
As part of a plea agreement, Melvin was sentenced to 365 days in jail, with 358 of those suspended, and is required to serve the remaining seven days of jail time by June 1. Melvin was also fined $785, had his driver’s license suspended by the Driver Improvement Bureau, is required to enter and complete the ACT chemical abuse program by Aug. 29 and had an ignition interlock device ordered.
Polson police said Melvin made the call around 11:30 a.m. the day after he was fired from his job.
“I thought they were in a definite threatening manner toward specific individuals,” Polson Police Chief Wade Nash told the Lake County Leader in an earlier article about the threats. “I met with the city manager and expressed my concern for his safety and the safety of other employees. Then, I spoke with the sheriff’s office to alleviate the conflict of interest and filed for a search warrant.”
Melvin made his initial appearance in Lake County Justice Court on Wednesday, May 16. Bail, which was originally set at $50,000, was reduced to $5,000 and, if posted, Melvin is required to wear a GPS and SCRAM alcohol monitoring bracelet. He is also forbidden to go within 500 feet of Polson City Hall or the residences of the alleged victims.
The case was then transferred to Lake County District Court. Melvin had his omnibus hearing set for Wednesday, Aug. 8 at 9 a.m. with a jury trial commencing on Monday, Oct. 29 at 9 a.m.