Charge reduced in 2009 robbery case

A man shot four times during a botched drug deal west of Kalispell in 2009 pleaded guilty to a reduced slate of charges in Flathead County District Court Thursday.

Bryan Keith Schloss, who was initially charged with attempted robbery, admitted guilt to a lesser charge of accountability to criminal possession of dangerous drugs.

 Schloss, 27, was shot four times in the jaw and abdomen with a .40-caliber handgun wielded by 23-year-old David Palumbo on Dec. 5, 2009, on Four Mile Drive.

Schloss and his alleged accomplice Bo Hanger planned to steal cocaine from Palumbo as the three rode together in a vehicle, according to court documents.

Shots were fired after Schloss and Hanger allegedly attempted to rob Palumbo. At the time, Schloss had a 9 mm pistol, but it jammed during the incident, according to court records.

As Hanger drove his Honda CR-V along Springcreek Road, Schloss and Palumbo began arguing. Hanger pulled over near Four Mile Drive and shots were fired around 2:30 p.m.

Palumbo allegedly fled on foot with the cocaine and Hanger dropped Schloss off at Kalispell Regional Medical Center and drove away. Hanger later was arrested by Whitefish police and is currently awaiting a trial.

Palumbo turned himself in to Stevens County, Wash., authorities on Dec. 10, 2009, for violating his parole by leaving Washington. On Dec. 13, 2010, he was sentenced in federal court to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to felony possession of a firearm for furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

Schloss is scheduled to be in Flathead County District Court March 3 for sentencing.

He’s also pleaded guilty to a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol in a separate case. Prosecutors agreed to dismiss a felony charge of criminal endangerment.