Larson sentenced

Jedediah Keith Larson was sentenced to 10 years with five suspended on a felony charge of aggravated assault Tuesday. The charges stem from events that took place on the evening of March 10, 2017 and early into the next morning in Ekalaka. Larson was found guilty of aggravated assault and of partner or family member assault, a misdemeanor, on May 17 of this year.

Larson was credited with 131 days served and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine. For the misdemeanor, Larson was sentenced to one year in county jail to run concurrently, with all but 72 hours suspended, and to pay a $500 fine. Larson must also pay $2,479.92 in restitution.

Reasons for the sentencing were Larson's criminal history, including prior convictions of family member/partner assault. District Court Judge Nickolas C. Murnion stated that he wanted the Carter County community to feel safe and that Larson must be held accountable for his inexcusable actions against the victim.

Larson will serve his sentence in the Montana Department of Corrections system. Judge Murnion recommended Larson be placed in a facility where he can receive a mental health evaluation and treatment, anger management and a chemical dependency evaluation. Upon release, Larson will have numerous conditions to adhere to. Judge Murnion also recommended he go to a prerelease center for six months.

The Montana Department of Corrections consists of nine state-run facilities and 17 contract facilities including multiple prisons, chemical dependency treatment facilities, assessment and sanction centers and prerelease centers. Offenders are sent to the Department of Corrections from courtrooms all over the state as punishment for the felony crimes they have committed. Each year, approximately 1,250 offenders walk into Montana's prison system and 1,200 walk out. On average, offenders serve a little over two years before returning to the community.