Mission man charged with third sexual assault

A St. Ignatius man, with two prior convictions for sexual assault, is accused of committing the same offense. Paul Vincent Tatto, 73, entered a plea of not guilty in District Court in Polson April 9 to a third offense of sexual assault, a felony.

According to court records, on March 12, Polson Police responded to a report of a sexual assault at Walmart. The responding officer spoke with the alleged victim, identified only by the initials “J.B.,” who indicated that Tatto groped him on his buttocks.

 Tatto then positioned himself in front of J.B. and fondled his private area without his consent. The man went on to describe the alleged suspect and the officer quickly located and questioned Tatto. He initially denied J.B.’s claim, but later said he had permission to give J.B. a “quick pat” on the buttocks.

Walmart staff assisted Polson Police in securing video of the alleged incident from surveillance at the store. Records show Tatto with two prior convictions of sexual assault, dated Dec. 19, 2014, in Missoula and Sept. 8, 2017, in Lake County.

Judge Molly Owen set the case for trial on Sept 15. Tatto remains at liberty.