Houle sentenced to 10 years for Pablo robbery

A Pablo man who appeared in Polson District Court April 10 was sentenced to the Montana Department of Corrections for 10 years with five years suspended on a felony robbery conviction. The sentence for Josiah Michael Houle, 39, was in accordance with a plea agreement reached in February.

According to charging documents, on Jan. 10, a man later identified as Houle, entered the Quicksilver gas station in Pablo, went behind the counter and brandished a firearm at an employee. The suspect got the register to open by pressing the “no sale” button, and recovered cash before attempting to flee.

However, another patron punched Houle in the face, and the two men got into a brief physical altercation. During the altercation, the firearm fell out of Houle’s waistband and he fled.

Employees of the gas station were able to identify Houle by his “unique gait,” as he was a former employee. The firearm turned out to be a painted BB gun.

Law enforcement located Houle later that day and arrested him. He was already wanted on bail jumping charges and failure to appear.

Judge Molly Owen gave Houle credit for having served 91 days in jail since his arrest.