SEELEY LAKE – On Nov. 18, Bradley Walters of Seeley Lake was convicted of one felony count of theft by embezzlement for more than $10,000 and one felony count of deceptive practices while working as the secretary/treasurer of the Seeley Lake Wilderness Sportsman’s Club. Missoula County District Court Judge Robert L. Deschamps III sentenced Walters to six years deferred sentence for each count, 30 days in the Missoula County Detention Facility and nearly $21,300 in restitution plus fines and fees.
Walters was the secretary/treasurer of the Seeley Lake Wilderness Sportsman’s Club starting April 2014. According to court documents, the Club president and vice president uncovered missing money after reviewing bank records when a Club member reported winning a gun in a raffle in August 2017 but never received it. The Club reported the alleged theft of funds by Walters on Feb. 7, 2018.
Detective Glenville Kedie subpoenaed the Club’s bank statements, deposit slips and credit card records. Kedie determined that from approximately January 2015 to February 2018, Walters exercised unauthorized control of the Club’s funds four different ways: writing checks totaling $1,194 from the Club payable to himself; writing checks from the Club’s account totaling $3,493.98 for his personal and businesses expenses; taking $8,400 in cash for raffle tickets he sold on behalf of the Club; and charging $9,757.05 on the Club’s credit card for purchases unrelated to the Club.
The charging documents state that when Missoula County Sheriff Sergeant Robert Parcell interviewed Walters, he admitted to misappropriating Club funds. He stated the total was “right around $1,000.” Walter claimed that he had reimbursed the Club’s account for the stolen money.
Kedie’s investigation revealed no cash deposits were made into the Club’s account from Jan. 2, 2015 – Feb. 12, 2018. The only check deposited from Walters was on Sept. 8, 2015 for $300.
On July 27, 2018, Walters was charged with two felony counts. The first count was for theft of property by embezzlement from Jan. 1, 2015 – Feb. 28, 2018 with the purpose to deprive Seeley Lake Wilderness Sportsman’s Club of the property exceeding $10,000. The maximum punishment for this offense is 10 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.
The second count charged Walters with purposely or knowingly obtaining property, labor or services by using a credit card that was issued to another without consent. The value of property, labor or services obtains or attempted to be obtained exceeded $5,000. The maximum punishment for this offense is 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Walters served one day in jail and was released on $25,000 bail.
On Nov. 18, 2019, Missoula County District Court Judge Robert L. Deschamps III found Walters guilty of Count I, theft of property exceeding $10,000 by embezzlement and Count II, deceptive practices $1,500-$5,000 – first offense.
For each count, Walters received six years deferred sentence, was ordered to pay restitution of $21,294.73, $2,129.47 in restitution fees and $1,150 in additional fees and fines. Walters shall also serve 30 days in the Missoula County Detention Facility starting Feb. 1. His terms and conditions of probation include being prohibited from owning or controlling firearm and ammunition, gambling, possessing alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs, entering a bar or casino and he must disclose his theft conviction to any and all employers.
Reader Comments(0)