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Dana sentenced for indecent exposure, injuring officer

A Polson man, who admitted to exposing himself, injuring an officer and leading law enforcement on a high-speed pursuit, received a 10-year prison sentence in District Court in Polson July 17, plus 10 years suspended.

Codie James Dana, 34, entered a plea of guilty on April 24 to felony charges of indecent exposure, third offense-felony, assault on a peace or judicial officer, and two counts of criminal endangerment. The plea was entered as part of an agreement that calls for a total of 10 years in the Montana State Prison. This will be followed by 10 years with the Montana Department of Corrections, with all 10 years suspended.

According to court records, just after noon on Dec. 31, 2024, law enforcement responded to a report of a man exposing himself while sitting in his pickup in the parking lot of a grocery store in Polson.

Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy Scott Sciaretta arrived to find Dana in a certain state of undress and not wearing a shirt. The deputy introduced himself to Dana as law enforcement, and Dana pulled his pants up while issuing expletives at the deputy.

When asked to produce his driver’s license, Dana put his pickup in reverse and attempted to drive away. As he pulled away, Dana’s side mirror struck the deputy’s shoulder and body, and launched him into an adjacent parked car. Sciaretta was later treated at a nearby hospital for injuries sustained from the incident.

Dana proceeded to drive through Polson at a high rate of speed, turning onto Hillcrest Drive, then south on Skyline Drive. Two other motorists sustained damage to their vehicles before Dana lost law enforcement driving south out of Polson.

The pursuit came to a stop when Dana’s pickup crashed into a gray utility van at the intersection of Skyline Drive and Glover Road north of Pablo, where Dana was taken into custody.

Judge Mercer gave Dana credit for having served 199 days in jail and ordered restitution of $15,000 plus court costs and fees. Dana was deemed a tier-two level sex offender.