Dana pleads guilty to officer assault, indecent exposure

A Polson man, accused of exposing himself, injuring an officer and leading law enforcement on a high-speed pursuit, admitted to all the related charges.

Codie James Dana, 34, entered a plea of guilty in District Court in Polson April 24 to felony charges of indecent exposure (third offense-felony), assault on a peace or judicial officer and two counts criminal endangerment.

The plea was entered as part of an agreement involving all four counts that calls for a total of 10 years in the Montana State Prison, followed by 10 years with the Montana Department of Corrections, with those 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 pick-up 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 as he directed expletives at the deputy.

When asked to produce his driver’s license, Dana put his pick-up 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 sustained injuries.

Dana proceeded 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 pick-up crashed into a gray utility van at the intersection of Skyline Drive and Glover Road north of Pablo and Dana was taken into custody.

Judge John A. Mercer set sentencing for June 12. Dana remains in the Lake County Jail with bail set at $250,000.