Sheriff's sergeant resigns

POLSON — Lake County Sergeant Dan Duryee who admitted more than two years ago to lying about military service has officially resigned.

Lake County Undersheriff Dan Yonkin stated that his last day was Thursday, Jan. 3, and that a reason was not provided in his formal letter of resignation.  

Duryee, Lake County Sheriff Jay Doyle, Yonkin and Lake County Detective Mike Sargeant are defendants in a lawsuit filed last February by five current or former members of the Sheriff’s Office accusing the four of permitting corruption within the department.

The plantiffs claim that they were subjected to retaliation by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and defendants stemming from their support of Steven Kendley during his 2010 run for Lake County Sheriff (Kendley ran in opposition to current Sheriff Doyle.)

The plantiffs also allege that they were reprimanded for reporting criminal offenses within the department. According to court documents, these reports include accusations of Duryee’s false representation of military service and reports of Duryee altering a firearm registered to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office from a rifle to a machine gun.

Complaints were also made in regard to Duryee, Doyle and Sargeants alleged involvement in the illegal poaching club known as the “Coyote Club.”

The lawsuit is set for trial March 18 in Missoula.