Man denies two felony charges

A Kalispell man has denied charges that he responded twice to law enforcement stings for underage sex.

Brett Anthony Cislo, 49, is facing two felony counts of sexual abuse of children. He entered a plea of not guilty on May 21 in Flathead County District Court.

According to court documents, Cislo responded to two online advertisements posted by agents with the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The first interaction allegedly occurred in August 2014.

Cislo reportedly texted an agent in response to an ad that “indicated that a young woman was available to engage in sexual conduct,” according to court documents. Cislo allegedly showed interest in a 15-year-old girl.

The agent arranged a price and meeting place at a Kalispell hotel. Cislo allegedly texted that he was at the hotel but was nervous. He ultimately abandoned the proposed encounter.

One day later, Cislo allegedly responded to another ad posted by agents, this time by email. He said that he would “love to help” in “educating” a young girl and indicated various lewd acts, according to court documents.

Agents arranged a meeting place at a trailer home. Officers say they observed Cislo stopping at the location in a vehicle, pausing and then driving away.

Cislo was interviewed by task force agents days later. According to court documents, he admitted that he responded to the online ads with the intent to have sex with a teenage girl.

This arrest stems from a 2014 sting operation by the task force that led to the arrest of at least six people in Western Montana.

The task force includes agents from multiple agencies, including local and federal entities.

Following his arraignment on May 21, Cislo was released from jail with a condition that he doesn’t contact any children except at work.

His next court appearance is June 17.

Reporter Matt Hudson may be reached at 758-4459 or by email at mhudson@dailyinterlake.com.