ABC / Fox Montana
NBC Montana
KBZK
Official Press Release

BOZEMAN, Mont. — The Montana Eighteenth Judicial District Court has transferred ownership of 20 animals to Gallatin County after their previous owners failed to post a court-ordered cost-of-care bond.

The Aug. 10 order transfers 10 livestock animals, nine dogs and one cat to the county.

The animals were seized during an investigation by the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office. Following a June hearing, the court found that the animals had been subjected to conditions amounting to cruelty under Montana law and ordered the respondents to post a renewable $7,500 cost-of-care bond by July 8.

The bond was not posted, prompting the Gallatin County Attorney’s Office to seek ownership of the animals.

“These animals have been in limbo long enough,” Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell said in a press release. “This order gives Gallatin County the ability to move forward, find them appropriate homes, and make sure they continue to receive the care they deserve. I’m grateful to the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office and especially to the foster families who stepped up and cared for these animals while this case worked its way through the court.”

Bozeman Daily Chronicle
KBZK
ABC / Fox Montana
Official Press Release

Bozeman, Mont. — A Gallatin County Coroner’s Inquest was held today to review the death of Jeffrey Scheihing, who had been an inmate at the Gallatin County Detention Center and later died at the Billings Clinic on November 27, 2025.

County Attorney Audrey Cromwell and Deputy County Attorney Clare Mack called six witnesses during the proceeding: Gallatin County Detention Center Cpl. O’Conner and Officer Kuck; forensic pathologist Dr. Weyrauch; Bozeman Police Officer Ng; Gallatin County Sheriff’s Detective Redburn; and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation Agent Metcalf.

After hearing testimony and reviewing evidence, the Coroner’s Jury returned a unanimous verdict:

• Who was the deceased? Jeffrey Scheihing.

• When and where did he die? November 27, 2025 in Billings.

• Cause of death: Complications of hanging; Anoxic brain injury asphyxiation.

• Manner of death: Suicide.

• Did he die by criminal means? No.

“Coroner’s inquests serve an important public function by providing an independent examination of the facts and circumstances surrounding an in-custody related death,” said County Attorney Audrey Cromwell. “We are grateful to the jurors for their careful consideration of the evidence and to the witnesses and staff whose participation and work supported the inquest process.”

Cromwell Response to AG
Data Initiative Post
Bozeman Daily Chronicle
Livingston Enterprise
Bozeman Daily Chronicle

“As you are aware, Montana’s Rules of Professional Conduct prohibit prosecutors from publicly commenting on pending criminal matters,” Cromwell’s reply reads. “Once again, however, because you chose to publicly direct inquiries to my office through the press rather than simply picking up the phone and speaking with me professional-to-professional, I am responding publicly.”
…
In 2024, Gallatin County Attorney Cromwell partnered with Prosecutorial Performance Indicators (PPI), a nationally recognized research organization that assists prosecutors in measuring performance using objective data and validated methodologies. PPI does not simply count convictions or case filings. It evaluates prosecutorial performance using over 100 individual data elements from the office's case management system.

This week, PPI statisticians analyzed the Gallatin County Attorney office’s felony intimate partner violence data from January 1, 2025 (implementation of standardized case data collection), through the present. Among all felony intimate partner violence cases, including partner or family member assault and strangulation offenses, 71.7% resulted in an overall conviction (well above the 56% average found across the U.S. by national reviews). 23.6% were dismissed, 1.9% were resolved through diversion, 1.9% resulted in a jury acquittal, and 0.9% resulted in a guilty verdict following a jury trial.

To this office's knowledge, the Gallatin County Attorney’s Office is currently the only prosecutor’s office in Montana, including the Attorney General’s Office, undertaking a comprehensive prosecutorial performance and transparency initiative of this scope.

Bozeman Daily Chronicle
Belgrade News

Audrey Cromwell, Katie Madison and Stacy Wesen - Guest Columnists

A recent local case involving intimate-partner strangulation is a stark reminder of how quickly this type of violence can become lethal. We’re calling on all of our partners in Gallatin County to take the next step in strengthening our collective response to this crime: Let’s adopt and use a countywide strangulation protocol that includes a proven checklist to help every responder—dispatch, law enforcement, health care, advocacy and prosecution—recognize the danger, document accurate information and complete critical steps in their role.

When a survivor reports strangulation, every question asked, symptom recorded, and piece of information passed forward matters.

Strangulation is one of the deadliest forms of intimate partner violence. Designated a stand-alone crime in Montana in 2017, strangulation is the single-highest predictor of homicide for women experiencing abuse. Those who’ve survived one strangulation incident are 750% more likely to be murdered by that partner in the future, a figure that increases to 1,100% if the abuser has access to firearms.

Abusers who strangle partners are also dangerous to law enforcement. A 2013 study of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty over a 20-year period showed that half of those officers were killed by a suspect with a history of strangling women in a previous relationship.

Though a critical red flag, strangulation’s dangers are widely misunderstood, making it one of the most difficult crimes to investigate and prosecute. Just half of survivors will exhibit visible injuries, and days later, even those injuries may disappear, though the underlying trauma can carry lasting impacts. Survivors also often live in a situation of fear, coercive patterns, and concern for children or pets, and they frequently recant their original testimony, meaning that our legal system must build cases that don’t rest solely on a survivor’s testimony.

Checklists can help everyone build a strong case.

Many highly skilled professionals use checklists to ensure safety, including airline pilots and military operators. Not because they lack training, but because complex, high-stakes work leaves little room for missed steps. Surgeon and medical writer Atul Gawande found the same in emergency medicine: Short checklists helped intensive-care teams more consistently complete basic infection-prevention steps they already knew, sharply reducing preventable harm.

A countywide strangulation checklist works the same way. It creates clarity and consistency, from the first 911 call through investigation, medical care and prosecution.

In adopting a checklist, Gallatin County wouldn’t be starting from scratch. In 2022, Missoula County adopted a countywide strangulation response to give agencies a straightforward path for responding to a crime that has long been minimized. And locally, our county’s Domestic Violence Response Team has strengthened the community response in the past year: Haven brought a nationally recognized expert to train law enforcement, prosecutors, victim services staff, probation and parole officers, and advocates. The county attorney’s office has partnered with a Bozeman physician to review every strangulation case under prosecution and to provide expert testimony when appropriate.

The strangulation checklist is the logical next step: a practical way to turn that training, coordination, and expertise into an effective response every time.

A woman’s life may depend on what happens after she dials 911. A countywide strangulation checklist will help ensure Gallatin County recognizes the danger and responds with the urgency it demands.

Audrey Cromwell is the Gallatin County attorney.
Katie Madison is the executive director of Haven.
Stacy Wesen represents Gallatin County Victim Services.

Bozeman Daily Chronicle
KBZK
NBC Montana
Official County Instagram Page

BOZEMAN, Mont. – A Gallatin County jury found Shane Timmons guilty of Aggravated Sexual Intercourse Without Consent and Tampering With or Fabricating Physical Evidence on Friday following a five-day jury trial before District Court Judge Andrew Breuner.

The conviction stems from an August 1, 2025, incident involving Timmons and the victim in West Yellowstone. Evidence presented during trial established that Timmons used force by choking the victim while raping the victim. The State also presented evidence that Timmons concealed messages he had sent to the victim in which he admitted that he had committed sexual acts.

After considering the evidence and the arguments presented by both parties, the jury returned guilty verdicts on both counts.

This verdict reflects the jury’s careful consideration of the evidence presented during trial and holds the defendant accountable for a violent rape,” said Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell. “I want to commend the victim for the tremendous courage it took to come forward, participate in the investigation, and testify throughout this difficult process. I also want to thank the investigators, forensic professionals, medical providers, and victim advocates whose dedication and professionalism were critical to achieving justice in this case.”

Sentencing is scheduled for September 11, 2026, before the Honorable Andrew Breuner.

The Gallatin County Attorney’s Office extends its sincere appreciation to the West Yellowstone Police DepartmentGallatin Co Sheriff's Office and the medical personnel at Bozeman Health and all of the witnesses who assisted throughout the investigation and prosecution of this case.

Press Statement
Official County Social Media Page

Statement from Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell 

For questions involving the death of Catherine Sorensen in Park County, please contact the Park County Sheriff, Park County Attorney’s Office, or the Attorney General’s Office. 

July 8th, 2026 

Regarding the Wardle strangulation and tampering with evidence case pending before the Gallatin County District Court: I understand it is incredibly difficult to hear, but as this prosecution remains pending, Montana law and the prosecutors’ Rules of Professional Conduct prohibit me from publicly discussing certain facts or evidence involved. These strict rules exist to protect the integrity of due process, the rights of everyone involved, including victims, and the justice system as a whole – the Attorney General understands that. 

What I can discuss publicly is the critical work my office does every day to prosecute intimate partner violence and protect victims in Gallatin County, and ask the public for their continued trust as this case proceeds. 

For myself, my team of prosecutors and victim advocates, and anyone who has been affected personally by its scourge, domestic violence is not an abstract policy issue. 

Addressing the public health crises of domestic violence and femicide is one of my highest priorities. When I took office, I discovered over 600 unprosecuted cases – hundreds of them involving sexual assault. Over six months I met with victims personally and my team and I resolved each of those cases, when possible and appropriate. Now even the most complex cases brought to my office are addressed in a timely manner – not ignored and put away in boxes. 

Medical research shows that non-fatal strangulation is one of the strongest predictors that domestic violence will escalate. Prosecuting strangulation cases begins with a first responder asking targeted questions during the 911 call, continues with appropriate medical evaluation, trauma-informed interviews, and thorough law enforcement investigation and evidence collection that accurately reflects the danger posed to the victim. In the courtroom, my office has enlisted the expertise of a physician from Bozeman Health who serves as an expert witness to every strangulation case we prosecute. 

My office partners with HAVEN and law enforcement to establish county-wide protocols. In 2023 we implemented the APRAIS model, a life-saving protocol that helps first responders identify victims of domestic violence at greatest risk of being injured or killed, allowing for intervention and support. 

Now we are actively working on a county-wide Strangulation Response Protocol. 

Protecting victims is not about politics. It is about building the strongest possible cases through the strongest possible law enforcement investigations. Communities across the country have demonstrated that coordinated strangulation protocols save lives and strengthen criminal prosecutions. 

I call on all County law enforcement agencies; including the Bozeman Police Department, Gallatin County Sheriff's Office, Belgrade Police Department, Montana State University Police Department, and every other law enforcement agency serving Gallatin County – to join us in this effort. 

As one of the few women serving as a county attorney in Montana, my job is to protect survivors whose lives have been upended by dangerous abuse, coercive control, and violence behind closed doors. This responsibility fortifies my belief that we must continue improving our response – not only in the courtroom – but from the first moment a victim calls 911. 

Every survivor deserves a justice system that takes these often-misunderstood cases seriously. Every law enforcement officer deserves the training and tools necessary to build the strongest possible investigation. Every prosecutor deserves the evidence necessary to seek justice. And every member of our community deserves confidence that decisions are made based on the law, the evidence, and the ethical obligations that govern prosecutors. 

That work is more challenging than issuing press statements. It requires collaboration, evidence-based best practices, and a shared commitment to protecting victims. 

My office will fight to do that work every day. 

Bozeman Daily Chronicle
Three Forks Voice
Fairfield Sun Times

The man accused of gunning down a fellow patron outside the Rocking R Bar in downtown Bozeman now faces formal felony charges, Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell announced Monday.

Jakob Lundberg, 22, has been charged with deliberate homicide, aggravated assault, criminal endangerment, tampering with evidence and assault in connection with the killing of 29-year-old Sidney Callaghan on May 25.

"Acts of gun violence in our community, particularly in a crowded downtown area filled with innocent bystanders, threaten the safety of everyone," Cromwell stated in a July 6 release. "Our office is committed to holding individuals accountable. We extend our deepest condolences to Sidney Callaghan's family and loved ones as they continue to grieve this tremendous loss."

Daily Montanan
Bozeman Daily Chronicle
NBC Montana & NBC Montana (YouTube)
Morgan County Citizen
County Attorneys Friend of the Court (Amicus) Brief
ACLU Friend of the Court (Amicus) Brief

Two briefs — one from the American Civil Liberties Union and a second from a group of Montana [County Attorneys] — aim to sway the Montana Supreme Court to Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell’s side in her Immigration and Customs Enforcement information dispute with Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen.

“Without regard to constitutional guardrails, could (Knudsen) direct County Attorney Cromwell to drop an investigation of a political ally?” the ACLU wrote. “Could he instruct her to publish a list of survivors of sexual violence in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle?”

“Gallatin County’s administration of the Confidential Justice Information Act in response to civil requests from mixed-purpose agencies is not novel,” the [County Attorneys’] brief reads. “It is how county attorneys across Montana have long administered the Criminal Justice Information Act with an eye towards the balance of individual privacy.”

Summary of Argument (County Attorneys Amicus Brief)

• Gallatin County’s administration of Confidential Criminal Justice Information (CCJI) in response to civil requests from mixed-purpose agencies is not novel; it is how county attorneys across Montana have long administered the CCJI Act with an eye towards the balance of individual privacy, Mont. Const. art. II, § 10, and the recognized needs of law enforcement. When non-criminal justice agencies—or agencies acting for civil administrative purposes—seek CCJI, counties have relied on the statute’s court order mechanism to protect statutory and constitutionally protected privacy rights to ensure lawful disclosure. Doing so is critical to protect counties from liability for improper disclosure under the CCJI Act by adding the imprimatur of court approval.

• Under § 44-5-303, MCA, a district court may authorize dissemination upon written findings that the merits of disclosure outweigh the demands of individual privacy. This practice is workable, fast when needed, and faithful to statute. Amici necessarily employed it countless times during their service as county attorneys. By contrast, the Attorney General’s interpretation—mandating automatic disclosure to ICE regardless of purpose—unmoors the CCJI Act’s careful balance, creates genuine liability risk for counties and records custodians, and destabilizes settled patterns of intergovernmental cooperation.

• This case should not be about politics. Gallatin County’s practice is faithful to the text of the CCJI Act; this Court should not permit the Attorney General to disturb it under a misreading of the law, or misapprehension of his authority to evade judicial review.

Summary of Argument (ACLU Amicus Brief)

• The core of this dispute is County Attorney Cromwell’s contention that it is legally impermissible for her office to share non-public confidential criminal justice information with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) without a court order if ICE requests the information for civil purposes. There is no serious question that the underlying issue here impacts the fundamental right to informational privacy for those individuals whose confidential criminal justice information is collected and stored by Gallatin County. Nor is there any serious dispute that those same privacy rights would be implicated in every county across Montana if AG Knudsen’s indulgent disclosure directive stands.

• Article II, Section 10 of the Montana Constitution provides: “The right of individual privacy is essential to the well-being of a free society and shall not be infringed without the showing of a compelling state interest.” Mont. Const. art. II, § 10. The Montana Constitution gives Montanans “one of the most stringent protections of its citizens’ right to privacy in the United States.” Armstrong v. State, 1999 MT 261.

• The information AG Knudsen has directed County Attorney Cromwell to provide to ICE without a court order for civil purposes is highly sensitive. Importantly, the mere existence of criminal justice information does not mean that an identified individual has actually been convicted of a crime. Ensuring the requested information remains confidential—and is disseminated only in very limited circumstances—is crucial to any individual who wishes to avoid being impugned, if not convicted, in the court of public opinion. Accordingly, this controversy squarely implicates fundamental privacy rights of concern to all Montanans.

• If AG Knudsen has plenary authority to direct county attorneys “in all matters pertaining to the duties of their office,” § 2-15-501(5), MCA, without regard to constitutional guardrails, could he direct County Attorney Cromwell to drop an investigation of a political ally? Could he instruct her to publish a list of survivors of sexual violence in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle? AG Knudsen invites such an absurd result by making outlandish arguments.

• Because the privacy rights of all Montanans are central to this dispute, this Court can and should weigh in to declare that County Attorney Cromwell is not legally required to produce confidential criminal justice information to ICE for civil purposes in the absence of a court order.

Bozeman Daily Chronicle
KBZK
Three Forks Voice

A Gallatin County jury found David McCabe guilty of Assault with a Weapon last week following a four-day jury trial before District Court Judge Rienne H. McElyea. McCabe shot Robert Corona in the pelvic region with a shotgun during a May 2023 confrontation at his home. He now faces up to 20 years in prison.

“The jury carefully considered all of the evidence presented over the course of the trial and returned a verdict holding Mr. McCabe accountable for a violent act that left another person with life-threatening injuries,” said Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell in a press release.

“This case demonstrates the importance of thorough law enforcement investigation and the willingness of jurors to carefully evaluate the facts. We are grateful that Mr. Corona survived this attack and appreciate the jury’s service to our community.”

In the press release, the Gallatin County Attorney’s Office thanked the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, the Montana State Crime Laboratory, medical personnel at Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital, victim advocates and all the witnesses who assisted in this case.

Bozeman Daily Chronicle
KBZK
Three Forks Voice

Gerald Lee Johnson Jr. was found guilty last Thursday of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence and failure to comply with requirements resulting in bodily injury or death, both of which are felonies.

Johnson faces a maximum possible sentence of 20 years. Both his charges have a maximum penalty of 10 years in a Montana state prison.

“Hunter Berry’s family has endured an unimaginable loss, and no verdict can change that,” said Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell in a press release.

“The jury carefully considered the evidence and returned verdicts holding Mr. Johnson accountable for his actions after this collision,” she said. “We respect the jury’s decision and appreciate their service throughout this difficult case.”

In its press release, the Gallatin County Attorney’s Office thanked the Montana Highway Patrol, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, the investigators and witnesses who assisted with the case and the victim advocates who supported the Berry family throughout the proceedings.

NBC Montana
Explore Big Sky

BOZEMAN, Mont. — Jakob Steven Lundberg appeared in court Tuesday after his arrest in connection with a fatal shooting outside a downtown Bozeman bar.

“Violence of this magnitude in the heart of our community is devastating,” said Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell. “Our office will continue working closely with law enforcement to ensure a thorough review of the evidence and to seek justice for Sidney.”

The Gallatin County Attorney’s Office requested bond conditions designed to protect public safety and ensure the defendant’s appearance in court. The Court adopted the State’s requested conditions, including a $1,500,000 bond.

Daily Montanan
Bozeman Daily Chronicle

The Montana Supreme Court has ordered Attorney General Austin Knudsen to respond to a petition filed by Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell centering on whether local or county law enforcement officials are obligated to turn over criminal justice data to federal immigration officials, and whether that complies with Montana’s constitutional guarantee of personal privacy.

“Cromwell asserts she is entitled to declaratory judgment that declares Montana counties may not lawfully disseminate Confidential Criminal Justice Information (CCJI) to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) upon receiving non-criminal civil or administrative requests without a court order,” the Supreme Court order reads.

Cromwell has also requested the Supreme Court order the AG’s office to terminate supervisory control over the Gallatin County Attorney’s Office.

“Every day that supervisory control is in effect undermines public trust and diverts resources from the critical civil and criminal prosecution work necessary for Gallatin County to function,” Cromwell’s May 1 petition to the Montana Supreme Court reads.

Daily Montanan
Bozeman Daily Chronicle
NBC Montana

Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell asked the Montana Supreme Court to settle a dispute with Attorney General Austin Knudsen about whether ICE agents can bypass Montana’s laws governing the release of confidential information. 

At the center of this dispute is Montana’s constitutional right to privacy. Historically, Montana law has required careful judicial oversight before confidential information is released. The petition asks the Court to determine whether confidential criminal justice information – protected under Montana’s Constitution – can be disclosed to ICE for civil or administrative purposes without a court order. 

“Without declaratory relief, Cromwell faces an impossible situation: compelled to provide legal advice she assesses to be incorrect,” the petition reads. “She and her clients face the immediate prospect of severe civil and criminal penalties if they follow incorrect advice and improperly release CCJI in response to a civil request without a court order.”

The petition adds Knudsen’s, “political theatrics have blown a simple, case-specific email exchange between a legal assistant and a county administrative office into a statewide crisis.”

“We would not be here if the Attorney General had simply picked up the phone or done his job and issued a formal legal opinion.” Cromwell said. “Instead, we are dealing with public statements and theatrical directives issued without the clear legal foundation Montanans deserve.” 

Bozeman Daily Chronicle
KBZK
County Attorney Response

Reiterating that she has no policy to rescind, Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell is standing firm on her April 6 counter-demand that Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen “fulfill his statutory duty” by issuing a formal legal opinion on their interagency rift.

“The legal issue raised by the attorney general is not about personalities or partisan politics,” Cromwell, a Democrat, told the Chronicle. “It is about adherence to the rule of law, respect for constitutional rights, and the proper roles of our respective offices.”

“My sole concern is to follow the law,” she said. “As sworn constitutional officers, the Attorney general and I are bound to uphold both the United States Constitution and the Montana Constitution, including Montana’s explicit and heightened right to privacy,” she said. “That obligation necessarily governs how criminal justice information is handled and disclosed within our state and between agencies.”

NBC Montana
KBZK
Bozeman Daily Chronicle

“Law enforcement officers put themselves on the line every time they go out on patrol, often facing rapidly evolving and dangerous situations," said Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell. "I am thankful Sgt. Robinson was not killed. The jury found that Officer Good acted reasonably under those circumstances and in accordance with the law. While any loss of life is deeply tragic, this process provides a thorough and public review so the community can understand what occurred.”

Formal Response
Daily Montanan
NBC Montana
KXLF
ABC/FOX
MSU Exponent
Bozeman Chronicle

Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell says her office followed state privacy laws when it required ICE to get a court order for non-public criminal records.

“Public safety is, and always will be, the top priority of the Gallatin County Attorney’s Office,” said Cromwell. “At the same time, we are sworn to uphold the Montana Constitution. That includes protecting the fundamental right to privacy. When highly sensitive, non-public criminal justice information is requested for civil purposes, the law requires careful review and, in many cases, judicial oversight to ensure those privacy rights are not violated.”

Cromwell said the state’s constitutional and statutory framework places a “high value on individual privacy,” and her office has a legal and ethical obligation to not improperly disclose confidential criminal justice information — which can include criminal investigation information or intelligence and fingerprints. 

In her letter, Cromwell wrote that she would have welcomed the opportunity to discuss the issue with Knudsen directly. 

“A simple phone call from you or a member of your team could have clarified the facts and avoided unnecessary public confusion,” Cromwell wrote. “Instead, this issue was advanced publicly without that professional courtesy, which is disappointing given the importance and complexity of the legal issues involved.”

NBC Montana
KBZK

County Attorney Audrey Cromwell says possessing child sexual abuse material perpetuates the abuse of real children. She says her office will continue to aggressively prosecute these cases to protect the community.

In a release, Cromwell stated, “This defendant’s conduct demonstrates a disgusting and dangerous sexual interest in children. Possessing child sexual abuse material perpetuates the abuse of real children and causes lifelong harm.”

Brown will serve his sentence at Montana State Prison.

Bozeman Daily Chronicle

Said County Attorney Audrey Cromwell: “I feel really proud of my community right now, to see all of you here. Even though there’s fear, looking for the facts is how we’re going to move through challenges as a community.”

Bozeman Daily Chronicle
NBC Montana
ABC/FOX Montana

BOZEMAN, Mont. — Darren Christopher Abbey has been sentenced to 100 years in Montana State Prison with an 80-year parole restriction for the deliberate homicide of Dustin Kjersem and two counts of tampering with evidence.

Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell issued the following statement after sentencing:

“Some people are meant to be separated from society. Darren Abbey is one of them. The violence he inflicted, his actions afterward, and the lifelong harm he caused demonstrate that he can never safely be allowed back into our community.”

KBZK
ABC/FOX Montana
Bozeman Daily Chronicle

BOZEMAN, Mont. - The Gallatin County Attorney's office released the verdict from the coroner's inquest into a 2024 officer-involved shooting that left one woman dead. 

The jury determined that the use of force by Bozeman police officers was justified, and that the officers believed they were at risk of serious bodily injury or death. 

"We want to extend our sincere gratitude to the members of the jury for their time, diligence, and service to our community," Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell said. "A coroner's inquest is a vital tool for public transparency, ensuring that the facts of such a tragic event are examined openly and impartially." 

ABC/FOX Montana

BOZEMAN, Mont. – Tomorrow, Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell will conduct a coroner’s inquest into an officer-involved shooting from 2024 that resulted in the death of 29-year-old Tristyn Newman. 

The coroner’s inquest led by Cromwell’s office will involve multiple witnesses and a forensic pathologist. A jury will determine Newman’s cause and manner of death. It is important to note that this inquest is a fact-finding process, not a trial. The inquest will be held at 9 a.m. on Jan. 20 at the Gallatin County Law and Justice Center in courtroom 2. 

Bozeman Daily Chronicle

At 25, Katie Fire Thunder is widely respected in her community.

Ask Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell, Bozeman Tenants United co-founder and Executive Director Benjamin Finegan, or Native politician and grandmother Cecelia Fire Thunder about 25-year-old Montana House District 59 Rep. Katie Fire Thunder and three portraits emerge.

“Audrey Cromwell has been so impactful for me,” said Fire Thunder, who started working with the county attorney’s office as a legal assistant in 2023. “She is someone who I see as a leader in this community. She has shown me the process of the impact that government has.”

“I didn’t think it would necessarily happen this quickly, but I thought she would end up in some kind of statewide leadership roll,” Cromwell said, referencing Katie’s attorney’s office work. “She’s braver now. That can come from what life throws at you. I think that’s given her more confidence and it’s made her brave. I knew she would be a leader when I saw the work she was doing was starting to make bigger impacts.”

Bozeman Daily Chronicle
KBZK
NBC Montana
ABC / Fox Montana

“This was a senseless and devastating loss of life, and today’s sentence reflects the gravity of that harm. Mr. Foiles stole a beloved family member from a community that will feel this loss forever. Justice demands that he never again walk free, and the Court’s decision ensures exactly that,” County Attorney Audrey Cromwell said in a press release.

KBZK
NBC Montana
Explore Big Sky

“This office is committed to protecting children and ensuring accountability for those who exploit them,” County Attorney Audrey Cromwell stated in the release. “The volume and nature of the material recovered in this case underscore the seriousness of these charges. We will continue to pursue justice for the victims represented in these images and videos.”

NBC News
New York Post
Yahoo News
Explore Big Sky
Daily Montanan

“This verdict reflects our community’s expectation that violent acts resulting in the loss of life will be met with accountability,” Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell stated in a Nov. 12 press release. “We are grateful to the jury for their thoughtful consideration of the evidence and to the law enforcement officers whose thorough investigation made this conviction possible. My heart goes out to the victim’s family, who have shown strength and dignity throughout this process.”

The Gallatin County Attorney’s Office thanked the State Prosecution Services Bureau, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, Montana State Crime Lab, “and the victim advocates who worked tirelessly on this case and supported the victim’s loved ones throughout the trial.”

Explore Big Sky

“The acceptance of responsibility in this case spares the victim’s family from the trauma of trial,” County Attorney Audrey Cromwell stated in a press release. “While we await final sentencing, our office remains steadfast in ensuring that justice is carried out fully and transparently. I want to thank the Bozeman Police Department and the victim advocates who supported the family throughout this difficult process.”

NBC Montana
KBZK

“This process provides a transparent and public review of the circumstances surrounding a person’s death while in custody,” said County Attorney Audrey Cromwell. “By bringing these facts forward in an open forum, the community can have confidence in the independence and integrity of the inquest system.”

The State presented testimony from four witnesses: Corporal O’Conner and Sergeant Turnquist of the Gallatin County Detention Center, Dr. Kemp, forensic pathologist, and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation Agent Ryan Eamons.

After hearing testimony and reviewing the evidence, the Coroner’s Jury returned the following unanimous findings:

Who was the deceased? Jordan Soule
When and where did he die? July 29, 2023, at 10:36 p.m. at the Gallatin County Detention Center, Room D-206
Cause of death: Fentanyl toxicity
Manner of death: Accident
Did he die by criminal means? No

Eastern Progress

“This sentencing reflects our continued commitment to holding offenders accountable and supporting victims in their pursuit of justice,” County Attorney Audrey Cromwell said. “This outcome was made possible through strong collaboration among law enforcement, victim services, and our office.”

The Attorney’s Office thanked the Montana Highway Patrol, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office and Gallatin County Victim Services for its work on the case.

NBC Montana
Bozeman Daily Chronicle
KBZK

“The coroner’s inquest process ensures transparency and provides the public with a clear and independent review of a person’s death while in custody,” said County Attorney Audrey Cromwell. "We extend our appreciation to the jury members for their careful review of the evidence and thoughtful deliberation in this matter."

County Attorney Cromwell called four witnesses during the proceeding: Deputy Cuehlo and Deputy Neal, former Gallatin County Detention Center officers, former Montana Division of Criminal Investigation Agent Strangio, and Forensic Pathologist Dr. Prashar.

After hearing testimony and reviewing evidence, the Coroner’s Jury returned a unanimous verdict:

• Who was the deceased? Jennifer L. Himmelspach

• When and where did she die? July 21, 2021, at approximately 4:41 p.m. at the Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center

• Cause of death: Acute methamphetamine intoxication

• Manner of death: Accident

• Did she die by criminal means? No

Bozeman Daily Chronicle
Bienvenidos Bozeman

About 100 people packed the event hosted by Bienvenidos and the League of Women Voters at Bozeman Public Library to hear Police Chief Jim Veltkamp, County Attorney Audrey Cromwell and three lawyers share what people should know about immigration enforcement and how it plays out locally.

Explore Big Sky
Montana Right Now
KBZK

The Gallatin County Attorney’s Office announced in a press release July 11 that Austin John Clowes was charged with deliberate homicide and held on $1 million bond after appearing in Gallatin County Justice Court.

“This was an extremely violent and senseless killing of a vulnerable elder in our community,” Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell stated in the release. “I am deeply grateful to law enforcement that Mr. Clowes has been apprehended and charged. Most importantly, I want to commend the Kilwein family for their extraordinary grace, patience and steadfast commitment to justice during the long wait for answers in this tragic case.” 

KBZK

Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell expressed her office's commitment to justice in the case. “Today’s sentencing is a reflection of our unwavering commitment to justice. Violent crimes such as this will not be tolerated in our community, and we will continue to pursue offenders to the fullest extent of the law,” she said. Cromwell extended her thoughts to Sobrepena’s family, hoping the sentence brings them some closure.

The Gallatin County Attorney’s Office acknowledged the efforts of several agencies and individuals who played key roles in the investigation, including Officer Paul Wilson and Officer Jesse Stovall of the Belgrade Police Department, Deputy Nicholas Redburn and Deputy Alberto Tapia of the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, the Montana State Crime Lab, and several Deputy County Attorneys.

Gallatin County Attorney’s Office Press Release
Three Forks Voice

Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell stated, "As a community, we must remain resolute in our commitment to hold individuals accountable for distributing dangerous drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine. At the same time, we recognize that addiction is a complex disease that requires more than punishment alone. This case demonstrates that we can be both firm in our pursuit of justice and focused on rehabilitation. By supporting this defendant’s entry into Drug Treatment Court, we are offering a path toward recovery that ultimately makes our community safer and stronger."

KBZK

On April 24, 2025, Cromwell wrote a report explaining that the agreement could create legal problems and concerns about how it might affect local taxpayers. She pointed out that Gallatin County is already part of a program that helps manage undocumented individuals who are charged with a crime, without bringing in people from other places.

At the Gallatin County Commission meeting on Tuesday, nearly 30 community members spoke out on the proposal from ICE to use space in the Gallatin County Detention Center.

Explore Big Sky

“When someone chooses to run from law enforcement, they are not just breaking the law—they’re putting lives on the line. We’re grateful no one was seriously injured, but this community will not tolerate that kind of violent behavior,” stated Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell. 

Bozeman Daily Chronicle
KULR8

“For lower-level non-victim-related offenses often removal can be a pragmatic alternative to pursuing full adjudication,” she said. “Removal can remove a public safety risk, conserve resources, and can be a good outcome to avoid trial complications.”

However, for more serious offenses or those involving a victim, the process could be a disservice by preventing justice to be served locally or not allowing a victim to receive restitution, Cromwell said.

“It could deny a victim’s right to seek justice and closure, it may result in an individual avoiding consequences for alleged offenses, and it could diminish our ability to prosecute in the future,” she said.

Bozeman Daily Chronicle
Three Forks Voice
Explore Big Sky

Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell raised her own issues in a press release, saying the proposal “exposes Gallatin County to significant legal liability and compromises the county’s ability to serve its own community members.”

Cromwell makes the case that voluntary participation by local law enforcement — which can’t be compelled to enforce immigration laws — could subject taxpayers to costly litigation if constitutional rights are infringed upon, such as due process.

“The civil nature of these warrants,” she wrote, referring to ICE detainers, “coupled with the federal government’s current willingness to circumvent constitutional safeguards in the name of expediency has led to recent errors and document violations of due process.”

While the county commissioners, who are ultimately responsible for the detention center — although it’s managed by Springer — can demand that only people facing immigration-related civil charges and criminal charges be held, Cromwell believes it’s not a guarantee.

“The realities of current ICE enforcement practices ... present a real possibility that individuals without criminal charges may be detained,” she wrote, citing an article out of Bigfork where 17 immigrants were on civil ICE detainers.

“Nothing about this detention contract makes Gallatin County a safer place to live, work, or go to school—in fact, voluntarily becoming a detention center for ICE could not only expose the County to significant liability, but also damage relationships within our community, leading to lower rates of crime reporting, witness cooperation, and engagement with victim services,” Cromwell stated.

KBZK
Bozeman Daily Chronicle
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NBC Montana
Explore Big Sky

“Today’s sentencing is a reflection of our unwavering commitment to justice,” County Attorney Audrey Cromwell said in a press release. “Violent crimes such as this will not be tolerated in our community.”

Both men have been served with ICE detainers and have been held under the Gallatin County's 287-G program. The men will be sent to the Montana State Prison with ICE holds remaining in place. After their release from prison, ICE will be notified to take them into custody.

KBZK
Bozeman Magazine

“Sexual violence will not be tolerated in our community. We stand with survivors, and we will continue to aggressively prosecute offenders while working with our partners to provide support and resources for those affected,” Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell stated in the release.

KBZK

“Homicide is the most serious offense in our justice system, and our office is committed to ensuring that those who take a life face the full consequences of the law," Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell said. "Our thoughts remain with the victim’s family, and we hope this conviction provides some measure of justice and closure.”

Bozeman Daily Chronicle

Specifically, Springer’s GCSO and the BPD don’t have any jurisdiction over immigration-related arrests, nor do they know or determine immigration status.

“A person present in the United States without lawful authorization is a civil matter, not a crime,” Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell said in an email. “Civil immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility.”

Bozeman Chronicle

Research shows that diverting low-risk offenders (first time felons with crimes not violent or sexual in nature) to community supervision, rather than jail, is highly effective in breaking vicious cycles of crime and re-offense. This makes our community safer.

“PIVOT is the second pretrial diversion program, following Missoula County, which launched its the Calibrate diversion program in 2019 and has since reported promising results. According to a study from the University of Montana’s Department of Sociology and Criminology, those who completed the Calibrate program were 87% less likely to be arrested.”

Bozeman Daily Chronicle
KBZK (November 12)
KBZK (November 21)

The man accused of killing Laysa Grewell of Belgrade in a head-on crash while driving the wrong way on I-90 in January 2024 was sentenced to prison on Tuesday. Alexander Ledoux was sentenced to 30 years in the Montana State Prison after pleading guilty to vehicular homicide and criminal endangerment in September 2024.

"I just prayed in my head that justice would be served righteously, and I am very comfortable knowing that justice was served that day for Laysa," Kody Pullen said.

KBZK
Fox News

"As the Gallatin County Attorney, I want to assure our community that our office is fully committed to pursuing justice in this devastating case. Daren Abbey has been charged with homicide and tampering with evidence, and we will work diligently to present all available evidence and facts to the court. We understand that this case has deeply affected our community, and we are determined to handle it with the utmost professionalism and integrity. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones as we proceed through the legal process."

NBC Montana
Gallatin County

“This grant represents a major step forward in our commitment to assist our neighbors struggling with serious mental illnesses. By improving our community-based services, we aim to offer better alternatives to state hospital commitments, reduce unnecessary incarcerations, and minimize interactions with the criminal justice system,” said Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell. “This funding will enable us to build a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach that not only addresses the immediate health needs but also improves overall social outcomes for those we serve. We are committed to transforming the lives of our most vulnerable residents through this innovative, multi-disciplinary approach."

Yellowstone Public Radio
Bozeman Magazine

Developed by the Gallatin County Attorney’s Office and Gallatin County Court Services, the PIVOT Program evaluates nonviolent defendants through an evidence-based needs assessment (ORAS) to identify the underlying factors contributing to criminal behavior. Based on the assessment, a court services officer develops a customized plan for the defendant to address accountability, victim restoration, the defendant’s barriers to health, and connects the defendant to services offered in the community.    

Participants who meet the program’s criteria may be diverted to the program before charges are filed or may be offered a deferred prosecution agreement by the prosecutor. This agreement allows defendants to avoid prosecution and/or a conviction if they fulfill the conditions of the program, which includes supervision, treatment, and accountability measures.  

“Research shows that diverting low-risk offenders to community supervision, rather than imprisonment, is highly effective in reducing recidivism,” said Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell. “We designed the PIVOT program to address the root causes of criminal behavior and strengthen positive ties to the community. Studies show that when offenders receive the support and rehabilitation they need, they are less likely to re-offend, which ultimately makes our community safer. For instance, if someone is unhoused and struggling with addiction, Court Services can connect them with housing assistance through HRDC, counseling from a licensed addiction counselor, and regular drug and alcohol testing for accountability. Too often, we see the same individuals repeatedly on our dockets. With this program, we aim to equip offenders with the tools for lasting, healthy change so they don’t fall back into the criminal justice system.”

NBC Montana

The Montana Department of Justice released their fentanyl mandatory minimum report.

So far in 2024, six people have been convicted, three coming out of Missoula County, two in Butte-Silver Bow, and one in Gallatin County.

NBC Montana

"The dockets are more efficient, processes are more efficient, and so we can get justice more quickly for victims,” said Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell.

That’s because at the federal level, prosecution typically last six months, as opposed to nearly two years at the county level, and domestic violence cases are some of the most difficult to prosecute due to the complex relationships that often exist between the offender and the injured party.

"It matters, not only from a quality perspective and providing resources for the complexity of the cases, but also for decreasing caseloads here,” said Cromwell.

Decreasing caseloads will make a significant difference in Gallatin County, as the county attorney’s office is severely understaffed.

"We just generally are feeling the pinch of having too many cases to prosecute," she said.

Caseloads for each Gallatin County attorney are currently above the determined maximum allowable safe limit of 175 points per attorney and not by a case or two -- each attorney currently has a case load that ranges from 95 to 475 points above the maximum allowable limit.

Of the six largest counties in the state, the Gallatin County Attorney’s Office has the smallest budget per capita and only 23 full-time employees. For comparison, Cascade County has 31 full-time employees, while Missoula County has 46, and both jurisdictions serve a smaller number of residents than Gallatin County.

"We are understaffed by about 40%, and that leads to challenges such as inability to prosecute cases as quickly as we want, difficulties charging cases and making sure that every case that should be charged is charged,” said Cromwell.

Three Forks Voice
Miles City Star
Bozeman Daily Chronicle

U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland has approved an initial set of 78 communities, including both Bozeman and Gallatin County, across 47 states, territories, and the District of Columbia for designation under Section 1103 of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022.

”As the County Attorney in Gallatin County, I witness firsthand the devastating impact of domestic violence on families and communities,” said Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell. “Gallatin County’s designation as a VAWA jurisdiction and partnership with the US Attorney‘s Office marks a crucial advancement in our fight against domestic violence. By collaborating at both local and federal levels, we enhance our capability to tackle the complexities of these cases, especially those involving gun violence. Our joint efforts are not only aimed at reducing domestic violence and preventing homicides but also at providing robust support to survivors, ensuring they have the resources and protection necessary to rebuild and thrive. This initiative underscores our commitment to a safer, more just community.”

U.S. Department of Justice: District of Montana

U.S. Justice Department to work with the Gallatin County Attorney and City of Bozeman under the Violence Against Women Act, Prioritizing Firearms Prosecutions of Domestic Violence Offenders

Bozeman Chronicle

This column is signed Kristin Taylor and other concerned Bozeman citizens: Dr. Colette Kirchhoff, Betsy Swartz, David Quammen, Betsy Gaines Quammen, Sam Bayard, Dede Taylor, Kate Brantley, Matt Bushue, Amanda Ford, Wes Siler, Andras Rosner, Michael Caracciolo, Betsy Danforth, Cora Neumann, Elise Striebel, Margaret Davies.

"Over the last 20 years, while Gallatin County’s population has nearly doubled, the number of prosecutors and staff in the County Attorney’s Office has remained mostly unchanged. Many are handling caseloads that exceed three times the national standard for max prosecutorial workload. This is not only alarming but also poses a significant threat to public safety.

In 2012, the Gallatin County Attorney’s Office prosecuted just over 300 felonies. By 2023 the number of felony cases filed had surged to over 900! Despite this dramatic increase, the office operates with almost the same number of prosecutors it did over a decade ago. This situation is untenable. Overburdened prosecutors can lead to justice being denied for victims, little to no focus on rehabilitative and mental health policies, offenders walking free, and ultimately a breakdown in the criminal justice system."

Press Statement

In response to recent press surrounding my emergency budget request for Fiscal Year 2025:

As Gallatin County has grown, the County Attorney’s Office has not grown with it: with 125,000 residents, we recently surpassed Missoula County in population—yet while the Missoula County Attorney’s Office employs 26 prosecutors, the Gallatin County Attorney’s Office (with every allocated position filled) employs 14. Our hardworking prosecutors currently shoulder 300-500% of the national standards for maximum felony caseloads. This is not only untenable, it is incredibly dangerous, as unsafe caseloads risk—not only the well-being of dedicated public servants in my office—but also victims’ rights and public safety.

Prosecutors are a critical component on the public safety continuum, and as with law enforcement, must grow to match our community’s public safety requirements. That is why I recently proposed an emergency request to the Gallatin County Commission for a phased hiring plan starting in 2025. Over the next three years, this plan would invest in the necessary prosecutors and staff needed to match the escalating demands of our county. Every law enforcement agency in Gallatin County supported me in my request for additional staff.

The Commission acknowledges that our office is in a staffing crisis. In an effort to be transparent with our community, I restated their public no-vote to 50% of my emergency request to the press. Their decision to retaliate by delaying the hiring of 2 critical prosecutors they had already approved, harms Gallatin County and makes our public safety crisis worse.

As your Gallatin County Attorney, the public can expect transparency from me. I have a responsibility to ensure that our community is a safe place to live, work, and go to school, and I remain committed to working in good faith with the commission to resolve this public safety crisis.

Bozeman Health News

“It’s been an honor to witness Bozeman Health’s deep commitment to advancing mental health best practices in our community over the past couple of years,” shared Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell. “Bozeman Health’s partnership with Gallatin County and the County Attorney’s Office exemplifies our collaborative efforts to develop and implement a comprehensive system that effectively supports community members in crisis. For that partnership and strategic vision, I am grateful.”

Bozeman Chronicle

Among the positions denied by the commission was an additional FY25 and FY26 criminal attorney, a civil attorney and an additional legal assistant. Two items were also placed into the “parking garage,” a metaphorical holding ground for the commission to reconsider them later in the budget process. Those included a title change for an employee and additional funding for contract attorneys.

“Commissioners MacFarlane and Brown sent a message that funding more prosecutors is ‘sort-of’ a priority. Meanwhile, my office remains in crisis,” Cromwell said via email. “Because of the commissioners’ ‘no’ votes, I remain in the awful position of having to tell law enforcement and victims that we cannot proceed with cases like we should. And the only reason is because we don’t have the funding.”

Bozeman Chronicle

“The Commissioner of Securities Insurance (CSI) and Gallatin County Attorney charged four men with engaging in a conspiracy to defraud investors, farmers, and the State of Montana through various means, including a Ponzi scheme,” a press release from the office of Troy Downing, the commissioner of securities and insurance, said.

Western News

Today, four of the men involved in Isotex Health, including two practicing attorneys, stand accused of running a Ponzi scheme and defrauding investors, farmers and the State of Montana of more than $6 million.

KBZK

“The big change was the types of calls we received. So the severity of crimes, the amount of time and investigation that it takes in each call is continuing to grow,” says Chief Veltkamp.

Bozeman Daily Chronicle

“In 2022, the department investigated 546 possible felony cases. In 2023, that number jumped to 743. The department filed requests for prosecution in 395 of those cases in 2023, up 28% from 308 in 2022.”

NBC Montana

KBZK

Charging documents say when he crashed into Grewell he was going 100 mph with a blood alcohol level of .198.

Ledoux was charged with vehicular homicide while under the influence, fleeing from or eluding a peace officer and six counts of criminal endangerment.

Association of Prosecuting Attorneys

Justice delayed is justice denied. This oft-repeated legal phrase is playing out in prosecutors’ offices across the country. According to a recent survey of 31 prosecutors’ offices across 24 states by the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (APA), there has been an average increase of 62% in case backlogs since the court disruptions due to COVID-19. As with many other areas of society, the pandemic exacerbated a long-standing problem.

Audrey Cromwell, Gallatin County attorney in Montana discovered this when she took office a year ago. She found 500 felony cases that hadn’t even been reviewed. Some hadn’t been touched in 15 years. “It’s my priority and hope that we focus on ‘people crime’ first, and that’s not what was happening. The easier cases were being filed.”

Backlogs like the one in Gallatin County jeopardize public safety. Cromwell relied on volunteer hours from public attorneys to review the untouched assault cases. She found that 40% of the sexual assault cases could not be prosecuted because they had already expired beyond the statute of limitations.

Law 360

KBZK

BOZEMAN — At a bail modification hearing for Lilly Laroque—accused of vehicular homicide while under the influence in the death of Manhattan teen Delaney Doherty—Judge Andrew Breuner left Laroque's bail amount unchanged at $150,000.

KBZK

On March 4, Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell and Prosecuting Attorney Randy Neal out of Bonneville County, Idaho stated that based on further investigation, prosecutors now believe Stedman was murdered in Bozeman before Foiles was found with her deceased body in Idaho Falls.

KBZK

BOZEMAN — There have been 21 strangulation referrals brought to the Gallatin County Attorney’s Office in 2024, according to County Attorney Audrey Cromwell.

Bozeman Police Detective Captain Dana McNeil says that the department has noticed an uptick in strangulation cases in Bozeman.

Three Forks Voice

Based on further investigation by Idaho and Montana law enforcement officers, prosecutors now believe that the Megan Stedman homicide occurred in Bozeman, Montana rather than in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Bonneville County Prosecuting Attorney Randy Neal and Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell have worked cooperatively to have the case against Chris Brandon Foiles charged in Montana.

KRTV

In a joint news release, Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell and Prosecuting Attorney Randy Neal of Bonneville County, Idaho, stated that based on further investigation, prosecutors now believe Stedman was murdered in Bozeman before Foiles was found with her deceased body in Idaho Falls.

According to Cromwell, the Gallatin County Attorney's Office filed charges against Foiles on Friday, March 1. Law enforcement in Montana and Idaho are working to extradite him to Montana on a $1 million warrant.

KBZK

Charging Documents

BOZEMAN — MTN News has obtained charging documents filed in Gallatin County on Tuesday that reveal more alleged details about a fatal crash near Three Forks that killed 22-year-old Laysa Grewell early morning on Jan. 4, 2024.

The Gallatin County Attorney’s Office alleges in court documents that Alexander Norbert LeDoux drove his vehicle the wrong way on I-90 for approximately 20 miles before colliding with Grewell on Jan. 4.

Montana Talks (Aaron Flint)

Shortly after being elected Gallatin County Attorney, Audrey Cromwell said she found boxes of cases that had NEVER been prosecuted. These boxes contained cases involving sex crimes, sexual assaults, and sex crimes against children. There were more than 100 of them going back to 2002.

Cromwell pledged to give these cases a second look, and she joined us on the radio Wednesday morning to give us an update on that effort. I took notes during our chat and here's what stood out to me:

-22% of those cases are now moving forward for prosecution.

-charges have already been filed in some of these cases

-some cases are 10-15 years old, with some of the cases falling outside of the statute of limitations

National Criminal Justice Association

“Our office struggles with the same issues plaguing prosecutor’s offices around the country. My attorneys each have caseloads in excess of 3-times the national standards and I have hundreds of felony cases waiting to be reviewed for prosecution," said Audrey Cromwell, County Attorney in Gallatin County, Mont.

Montana Standard

KBZK

County Attorney Audrey Cromwell questioned several officers about what happened leading up to the shooting.

The courtroom heard audio from multiple 911 calls and phone calls. A few of the phone calls were between officers and Rogel’s mother who revealed to police that her son had a history of mental illness and was supposed to be taking antipsychotics.

The county attorney called several more police officers to the stand to talk about what happened that day before the case went to the jury, ultimately finding that the shooting by police was justified.

Bozeman Daily Chronicle

As your Gallatin County Attorney and elected public servant, I believe in on-going transparency and accountability to the community.

KULR 8

Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell says this system can also be used to help connect victims of domestic violence with victim advocates and, based on these questions, they can help find appropriate resources. There's an initial set of questions for law enforcement to fill out on scene and a second set to better inform other agencies like these advocates or medical professionals on what they need to know about the case. 

Not only is this a tool for all these agencies to use, but it also has the second sort of policing philosophy where you're taking the time to sit down and ask questions and listen to the victim and make sure that they're adequately taken care of. 

Daily Montanan

Newly elected County Attorney Audrey Cromwell announced last month she discovered boxes of cases in the office referred for prosecution by law enforcement but never reviewed by attorneys in her office. The county identified 113 cases from 2008 to 2022.

“I want to be clear that law enforcement did everything properly,” Cromwell said in a statement about the discovery and plan to move forward. “The failure has been at the County Attorney’s Office, and that stops now.”

Cromwell took office in January this year.

“Clearly these cases were deprioritized by the former administration. No action had been taken on any of these cases, with the longest case sitting for the past 14 years,” Cromwell said in a statement.

KBZK

With a growing community, that can mean a growing need for the prosecution of crimes. And now, the Gallatin County Attorney’s Office says it needs more bodies in the courtroom.

“The caseload is crushing right now. My attorneys have about four times the cases that they should have,” said Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell.

Fox News

"Clearly these cases were deprioritized by the former administration," Cromwell said in a statement. "No action had been taken on any of these cases, with the longest case sitting for the past 14 years."

KBZK

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U.S. News & World Report

Bozeman Magazine

BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) — The Gallatin County attorney is creating a task force to look at more than 100 cases — the majority alleging sexual violence — that her predecessor's office apparently did not review to see if charges could still be brought.

Audrey Cromwell said Wednesday that in going through her new offices she found boxes under a desk and in a closet containing 113 requests for prosecution that she said had not been reviewed.

KBZK

Governor Greg Gianforte was in Bozeman on Wednesday to host a public safety roundtable with city, county, and community leaders.

Gallatin County’s rapid growth was at the center of the public safety discussion. Law enforcement along with newly elected County Attorney Audrey Cromwell stressed the need for more manpower in their office to keep up with the rising caseloads.

Bozeman Daily Chronicle

March 2022 - November 2022