Strommen Resentenced In Valley County Trial
Former Valley County Undersheriff Luke Strommen was re-sentenced in District Court Monday, August 25. He will not return to prison, according to the terms of a plea agreement.
A 2020 jury trial in Glasgow found Strommen guilty of the charge of sexual intercourse without consent, with a sentence of 40 years in prison. On appeal, an April 2024 Montana Supreme Court decision sent the case back to District Court Judge John W. Larson on the charge of sexual intercourse with a minor without consent. Prosecutors chose not to take the case back to trial and instead entered into a plea agreement with Strommen.
At the plea agreement hearing, Ravalli County District Judge Jennifer Lint presided. The State Attorney’s Office was represented by Meghann Paddock. Defense was conducted by Casey Moore and Annie DeWolf of the Public Defender’s Office. Judge Lint heard arguments from the state and the defense, with the state requesting a 15-year prison term – suspended.
According to a story published online by KLTZ/MIX93 in Glasgow, the victim appeared via Zoom and shared a powerful impact statement. She directed most of her remarks to Strommen, stating, “Still today, I’m not as grown as you were when you abused me [...] I’m deeply sorry I ever met you.”
At the conclusion of the hearing, Judge Lint announced a 15year prison term, all suspended. Strommen will be designated a Level 1 Sexual Offender. Lint denied Strommen’s request to continue bowhunting.
