Man sent to prison for sex with girl

A 38-year-old Columbia Falls man was sentenced to 15 years in prison with 10 suspended after he pleaded guilty to having sex with a 15-year-old girl two years ago.

Flathead County District Court Judge Heidi Ulbricht sentenced Dustin Bryan on Oct. 23. He was also designated a Level 1 sexual offender. Seven people testified on his behalf during the sentencing hearing, and seven more sent letters on his behalf.

According to court records, the girl’s mother contacted the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office about nine days after the crime occurred. The mother said she had known Bryan for about two years.

The girl allegedly told an investigator that she went to Bryan’s home on Sept. 15, 2012, smoked marijuana with him, had sex with him, took a shower with him, and then had more sex with him. She also said Bryan told her to not tell anyone or to lie about what happened.

Bryan allegedly admitted to the investigator that he had smoked marijuana and had sex with the girl and told her to lie about it. He was initially charged with one count of sexual intercourse without consent and one count of sexual assault. Each carried a sentence of four years to life.

In an Aug. 14 plea agreement, the county attorney’s office agreed to drop the first count and recommend 15 years in prison with 10 suspended. Bryan was remanded to the custody of the sheriff’s office following his sentencing.