C-Falls man sentenced for stealing fuel

A 44-year-old Columbia Falls man was given a four-year deferred sentence after he pleaded guilty to taking nearly $6,000 worth of fuel from Schellinger Construction without permission.

Flathead County District Court Judge David Ortley also ordered Lonnie Dull to pay $5,847 in restitution and a $1,000 fine.

According to court records, management at Schellinger contacted the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office in February 2012 and said Dull had used a company gasoline card to take the fuel for personal use without permission beginning in 2010. They also said they had video evidence and logs showing Dull taking the fuel.

Dull was charged with one count of felony embezzlement and faced up to 10 years and a $50,000 fine.