Ex-Glacier worker accused of stealing, pawning chain saw

A former Glacier National Park maintenance worker is facing federal felony charges after allegedly stealing and pawning a chain saw that belonged to the federal government.

Jason Chaulk, 40, of Columbia Falls pleaded not guilty to one felony count of theft of government property in U.S. District Court in Great Falls on Tuesday. If convicted, Chaulk faces up to $100,000 in fines, one year in prison and one year on probation.

Chaulk allegedly stole a Stihl chain saw and pawned it at First National Pawn in Kalispell on Feb. 2. The pawn shop notified the National Park Service because the chain saw was clearly labeled with a sticker on the throttle that says “U.S. Government Property, National Park Service.” Written above it in blacker marker is “USNPS.”

Chaulk allegedly admitted to a park ranger that he pawned the chain saw.

“He said he had bought the chain saw from another individual who worked at Glacier National Park,” Park Ranger Rebecca Merritt wrote in an affidavit to the court. “Chaulk said he later had some financial troubles and sold the same chain saw. He said he did not know the chain saw was property of Glacier National Park. Chaulk claimed to have not noticed the property of NPS sticker on the chainsaw. Chaulk said he did not inspect or start the chain saw when he purchased it.”

Merritt investigated and the individual who allegedly sold the chain saw to Chaulk denied selling a chain saw to him.

Glacier spokeswoman Margie Steigerwald said Chaulk no longer works for the park.

“He resigned,” Steigerwald said.

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.