Man sentenced in Flathead Co. dies in state prison

A 66-year-old man who was sentenced in Flathead County 21 years ago died Saturday at Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge of an apparent suicide.

Gary Thaut was found unresponsive in his cell at the prison. An autopsy will be performed, according to a press release from the state prison.

Thaut was sentenced in Flathead County in 1998 for the crimes of aggravated felony assault and criminal mischief. He was sentenced to 30 years for the two crimes.

In 2012, Thaut was sentenced in Powell County for assault on a peace officer and received an additional five years to his sentence. Thaut has been parole-eligible since 2013; his discharge date from prison was in 2033.