Man denies assault, drug charges

The man accused of reaching for a loaded firearm and wrestling with a Flathead County Sheriff’s Office deputy during a Nov. 22 traffic stop pleaded innocent to four charges Thursday in District Court.

Bryon Walter Petz, 38, has been charged with felony assault on a peace officer and misdemeanor resisting arrest, driving under the influence of alcohol and criminal possession of drug paraphernalia.

He’s currently in the Flathead County Detention Center after allegedly violating a protection order.

Petz initially was stopped Nov. 22 at about 11:30 p.m. while driving his pickup truck near U.S. 2 West following a report of criminal mischief at a nearby bar in Kalispell where he was accused of damaging a jukebox.

According to court documents, Petz refused a deputy’s demands that he identify himself and turn off his truck. When the deputy went to open the door of the vehicle, Petz allegedly reached in the direction of the floorboard where a loaded handgun later was found.

The deputy pulled Petz from the vehicle, but he refused to comply with orders to lay on the ground and the two began struggling on the ground. Petz allegedly tossed the deputy’s radio away from him when he attempted to call for backup.

A woman who had been driving a vehicle Petz was following tossed the radio back to the deputy.

A corporal with the Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene, Tased Petz and placed him in handcuffs. A marijuana pipe allegedly was found in his pocket.

The deputy suffered cuts and abrasions to his hands, according to court documents.

In an e-mail sent to the Inter Lake prior to his latest arrest, Petz denied reaching for the loaded .45-caliber handgun and said deputies had no reason to stop his vehicle.

The maximum penalty for assaulting a peace officer is 10 years and a fine of $50,000. The three misdemeanor charges each carry a possible penalty of six months in jail.