A former Gallatin County dispatch worker pleaded no contest Tuesday to charges that he impersonated the county’s sheriff to try to get a discounted and upgraded hotel room.
Mark Ward, 44, entered a no contest plea to the felony cost of impersonating a public servant. That no contest plea signifies that Ward doesn’t admit to the cost in opposition to him, however doesn’t plan to struggle it in courtroom, mentioned his legal professional Megan Moore.
A plea settlement within the case recommends a deferred sentence, which signifies that if Ward complies with any circumstances of launch, the cost might finally be cleared from his file. Gallatin County District Courtroom Choose Peter B. Ohman set a sentencing listening to for 10 a.m. on Jan. 25.
In late February 2021, Ward was employed because the assistant director of public security methods for the county’s 911 middle, in accordance with courtroom paperwork. He moved from California for the job and was staying at a Tremendous 8 Motel till he discovered everlasting housing in Butte. On the time, a spokesperson for the county mentioned Ward had been fired instantly after the county discovered he was arrested.
Three workers on the motel informed legislation enforcement that Ward had informed them he was the brand new Gallatin County sheriff, that he had misplaced his ID figuring out him as the brand new sheriff and that he requested for a “good fee” on the resort after telling workers he was the sheriff. Paperwork say workers complied with this request, discounted Ward’s resort room and waived a pet price.
