Lemler admits to strangling former partner

A Missoula man has admitted to strangling the mother of his children.

Brent Michael Lemler, 34, entered a plea of guilty to felony strangulation of a partner or family member in Polson District Court Sept. 28. The plea was entered as part of a plea agreement that dismisses a misdemeanor charge of criminal destruction of, or tampering with, a communications device and felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs.

The drug charge was unrelated to the other two charges.

The plea also calls for a joint recommendation of a five-year commitment to the Montana Department of Corrections with all that time suspended.

According to court records, on Oct 1, 2022, a Lake County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in Polson. A witness at the scene told the responding deputy that Lemler choked a woman identified only by the initials C.S.

C.S. indicated that she and Lemler were arguing over child custody when the argument turned physical. Lemler allegedly punched C. S. in the face. C. S. threatened to call law enforcement, which is when Lemler allegedly took the phone and threw it against a wall.

C. S. tried to escape to her brother’s house next door to call 911, but Lemler followed her. He caught up with her and allegedly grabbed her by the throat and lifted her off the ground before slamming her onto a car. He then allegedly choked for about 10 seconds before the witness intervened.

The deputy observed a bruise beginning to form on C.S.’s eye and scratches on her upper chest. The deputy also observed a hole in the wall from the phone being thrown against it.

The drug charge stems from a traffic stop on June 3, 2021, when a syringe loaded with methamphetamine was located. It is to be dismissed at sentencing.

Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher set a sentencing date of Nov. 16 and gave Lemler credit for having already served 27 days in jail. Lemler was released from custody on his own recognizance.